Unirac?
rickeolis
Solar Expert Posts: 110 ✭✭✭✭
Hi all,
What do any of you know about using 'Unirac' mounts for installing panels?
Thanks-
-Rick-
What do any of you know about using 'Unirac' mounts for installing panels?
Thanks-
-Rick-
rickeolis
Solar Expert Posts: 110 ✭✭✭✭
Comments
Unirac makes a few different systems.
Using the Solarmount, you have some kind of footing. This could be just the L-foot, but is more likely a standoff, then an L-foot on top of that. You could also you another brand of footing like Quickmount and put Unirac rails on that.
After the footing you mount the rails to the L-feet. If the rails are long, you use a splice kit.
You put the modules on top of the rail. In a top mounted system you use clamps that attach to the rail and squeeze down on the module frames when you tighten them. In a bottom mounted system you use bolts through the existing holes in the module frames.
That's a general description. Any specific questions?
http://store.solar-electric.com/somosy.html
This illistration shows a Unirac roof mount system using a very small L bracket that drills into the roof itself, then a long peice of channel that bolts to the L-brackets. I assume that those long items are the solarmount channels. Then there is another L-bracket that attaches to the long channel to mount the solar panels to.
Is that right?
Thanks!
-Rick-
A lot of times instead of mounting the L-foot directly to the roof it will sit on top of a stand off like this.
http://www.unirac.com/images/gallery/sunframe-attachment-2.jpg
I don't have a good picture of this, but for the top mount there's a little channel on top of the rail. You insert a strange bolt that can go into the channel and when you twist it it can't come out. You can twist it back to remove it, but when you tighten the nut above the clamps it will stay in there an hold the modules down with pressure.
http://www.solarcapitalist.com/unirac_clamps.jpg
http://www.myrealtypage.com/images/alan/solar4.jpg
Just to put in my two cents, if you get standoffs, make sure they are at least 6". Not only will that cool your panels better, but a roofer will have an easy time flashing them. With less than 6", you'll be forced into rubber-gasketed flashing, like that made by Oatey. It's not the end of the world, but I wouldn't do it again.
At the bottom of our page, http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/roderick/solar/photovoltaic.html
there's a link to a home-movie documentary. You'll be able to see the Unirac solarmount, standoffs, and flashing there.
I just got to see the whole range of their products today and was shown how they are used to hold panels in place in different settings such as pole mounted, roof, and on sides of high walls too.
I like that they are easy to add to later too.
Thanks guys-
-Rick-