Help ID'ing a roof mounting system

Hello All,
I'm glad I found this forum. We moved a month ago today into an off grid, solar powered home. What a learning curve!!! I have 15 Solar World panels that are mounted flat to our roof and are at a 10 degree angle. Here in middle Tenn, I need 21 degree for summer and 51 for winter, so as you can see, the previous owner and now we are loosing a lot of potential energy. The first thing I want to do to improve the system we have is to change the fixed roof mounts to adjustable mounts, but I need to know what brand of mounting system I'm dealing with. Can anyone ID who the manufacturer of these panel mounts is? I've called a few solar retailers, including NAW&S and have been repeatedly ask, What "brand" of mounting system do you have? I wish I knew and am hoping that someone reading this can recognize who mabe these mounts from the pictures I'm attaching. Thanks for your help. The newest newby, Tom


I'm glad I found this forum. We moved a month ago today into an off grid, solar powered home. What a learning curve!!! I have 15 Solar World panels that are mounted flat to our roof and are at a 10 degree angle. Here in middle Tenn, I need 21 degree for summer and 51 for winter, so as you can see, the previous owner and now we are loosing a lot of potential energy. The first thing I want to do to improve the system we have is to change the fixed roof mounts to adjustable mounts, but I need to know what brand of mounting system I'm dealing with. Can anyone ID who the manufacturer of these panel mounts is? I've called a few solar retailers, including NAW&S and have been repeatedly ask, What "brand" of mounting system do you have? I wish I knew and am hoping that someone reading this can recognize who mabe these mounts from the pictures I'm attaching. Thanks for your help. The newest newby, Tom



Comments
Pro-Solar makes a ground mount system but it is not adjustable. Are you sure the roof can take more holes and traffic? Might be better to just put the array on the ground where it belongs offgrid. IMHO.
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I looked at the Pro Solar rails you suggested, but no luck. They are a completely different shape rail, but thanks for the suggestion.
It looks to me like the back (north) row of panels may be shaded by the front with a 51° tilt and low sun.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
I*t's the morning and afternoon sun that's a problem. From about 10-4 these days I get full sun. I know that's the peak energy producing time, but I'd guess I'm loosing 20% of my potential from early morning and late afternoon shading? As for the 51 degree shadows, your correct, so the solution is to put them on rack designed for 2-3 panels tied together, like these??? Problem is I need to know what brand of rails are already on the roof so I can mount to them rather then punch more holes in the roof.
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
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http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
E-mail [email protected]
You'd likely have to carefully measure the rail extrusion and find "feet" to bolt to the existing rail. From what I can see of the extrusion, finding compatible hardware shouldn't be impossible.
The rail could be cut to a two or maybe three high segment, reusing mid and end clips as much as possible, but you'd still likely need more rail, clips, and backstays. You'd also have to fill two rows of roof penetrations, and be comfortable that the remaining two rows are structurally sound for the new mounting.
If it was an old roof, I might re-roof and change the mounts to more tilt. FWIW, I don't bother adjusting tilt seasonally. I find I get lots in summer in the 10-4 period (~65° tilt). Between snow and low sun / short days, winter is the problem. All things considered, it might be better to add some capacity specifically for fall/winter rather than trying to adapt the existing.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
E-mail [email protected]