Most solar panels are approximately 1.7 meters high and 1 meter wide.
If you have a flat roof, please allow at least 2 meters per row in your estimates to allow additional shade from the panels after they are slightly inclined. Since today's solar panels are around 360-390Ws, you should allow around 3 modules per kW or just divide the system size by the module size.
For example, a 6.6 kW system with 390 W panels uses 17 panels, so this system can be installed in 1 row of 9 panels and 1 row of 8 panels.
With a height of 1.7 m per row plus a little buffer, you need a little less than 4 m of roof height for two rows.
The panels in each row sit flush and they are about three feet wide so allowing one meter per panel is pretty accurate.
Our solar experts have the ability to draw suggested panel diagrams on a computer like the one below. Since we use aerial maps that estimate the slope of your roof, our estimates are not centimeter accurate, but we can get pretty close. If it looks like a tight fit, we will send an installer to confirm everything for you ahead of the installation day.
What happens after the documents have been signed and how long is the lead time for my installation?
As soon as you have registered for a Solaray installation, we will immediately submit your grid application to the responsible energy distributor.
For systems up to 5 kWs this is a formality. For larger systems, it can take a few days or more. Once we have received approval, your installation will be managed by our installation coordinator, who will welcome you to Solaray and organize an installation appointment for you. Installations are usually booked Monday through Friday, weather permitting.
We aim to install your system within 2-4 weeks unless you ask us to wait for some reason. During the summer, our installation lead time may be longer, so we encourage you to order as early as possible to ensure you are not in a rush.
Due to our strict security policy, we do not install solar systems when it rains. In the event of bad weather, we will rebook your installation as soon as possible, usually within a few days, but often we cannot come back the next day because other installations are already blocked. For this reason, we appreciate if you name days that suit you best and days when you are not available.
We recommend that someone be at home on the day of installation as we will have to turn off the power for a period of time.
What happens on the day of installation?
You will receive a confirmation email a day or two before the scheduled day that your installation date has been confirmed.
The installers arrive on site and meet with you to discuss the installation and to confirm that their plans (e.g. switch cabinet and inverter location, wiring routes, etc.) all meet your expectations. Before starting the installation, they will be happy to answer all your questions and our installation team is available by phone if you want to call our office.
You install the panels on the roof, run the cabling to the inverter (if you have ordered a string system), mount the inverter on the wall and connect it to your meter box. You also install disconnectors on the roof, next to the inverter, and in your meter box.
Finally, they test the system, demonstrate it to you and check that everything is to your satisfaction.
Once the installation is complete, you will be asked to sign some digital documents to claim the STC (Refund) application.
After installation, we configure your online monitoring if you have an Enphase system and then provide you with the access data. This usually takes a few days.
Shortly after the installation, your energy dealer will come and replace your meter with a new one that can monitor how much solar power you are feeding into the grid. This is no longer done by the solar installer and is therefore separate from the installation.
Why choose a Solaray installation?
Installing a product on your roof is a job that must be handled with care. At Solaray we pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship and the communication with you ahead of the big day.
The quality of the installation can potentially determine both the performance and the longevity of your system. We apply years of project and implementation experience to our installation process and pride ourselves on setting the standard for the industry for high quality installations.
All Solaray installations include:
- Our installers are trained and monitored by our operations team according to strict standards
- All installers are accredited by the Clean Energy Council
- All Solaray teams have a track record of high quality installations
- We do not outsource installations to unknown or “cheap” contractors
- The installers are given sufficient time to properly complete each job
- All installations are planned using our industry leading project management methodology
- Customers are kept informed and informed about every step of the process
- We pride ourselves on the fact that we rarely, if ever, have to go back to a job to fix problems. In over 10 years we have never had to remove a system from the roof because it was not installed correctly
Do I have to let the Council know?
In NSW there is an exemption for PV systems with less than 10 kW, as long as they do not change the roof line and are not located in a listed building or in a listed area.
You should check with your local council as we cannot be responsible for the local regulations in your area. However, it is rare for a housing system to require approval from the local council. More information can be found here: Do I need a permit to install solar?
Do I have to tell my neighbors?
No, you don't need permission from your neighbors. Nevertheless, it can be worthwhile to ask if you would like to add another floor to your house in the future if this would result in shading of your system.
How does the solar mounting system work?
Depending on the roof type, we have different solar mounting solutions.
For tiled roofs, we use brackets that fit between the rows of tiles and are firmly attached to the frame of your roof. We don't have to break or remove tiles.
For Colorbond roofs, we remove the existing screws and replace them with strong and rustproof screws to ensure that the system is firmly attached to the frame of your roof. We usually only make one penetration through the roofing to run a cable up to your meter board and that is of course completely waterproof.
At Kliplok, we generally do not penetrate the can as this will void your warranty. For this reason we use special clamps that grip the comb of the Kliplok to hold the panels in place (picture).
We then assemble 2 rails per row of panels and then the panels are mounted on the rails. This results in the panels sitting slightly over your roof.
For more information, please contact our solar team at 1300 221 586, or see some photos of our installations here: Solaray Portfolio
At what angle do you tilt the panels on a flat roof?
Tilting it doesn't increase performance as much as you might think. Above all, it shifts performance from winter to summer the flatter the plates are. For this reason, we like to install panels flat on your roof, as most households use more electricity in the summer. It also reduces the likelihood of damage in strong winds.
Our main concern with tilting solar panels, like the panels in the photo to the right, is that your roof is exposed to high winds. Wind can create a vortex as it moves over sloping panels and can literally pull the roof off your house. The mounting kit is strong enough to withstand wind, but often a roof is not designed to withstand an upward force and the entire roof can be torn off or damaged.
For this reason we like to mount panels flat on your roof or with a slight incline of less than 10 degrees. We are happy to talk to you about this topic as it is different in every household and we are ready to hear your thoughts before we make our recommendations. Further information can be found here: Tiltable solar modules