Selecting the right mounting structure is one of the most important decisions to make while installing a solar system. For example, you can install the system on the top of a roof or the ground.
You can select from different types of solar mounting structures depending on how the solar system is installed. From rooftops to water bodies, here are the different ways in which mounting structures are set up for installing a solar system.
Types Of Solar Mounting Structures
Here are some of the solar structure types one can use for installing a solar system:
1. Rooftop Mounting Structure
A rooftop mounting structure is the most commonly used type of solar structure. It is most common in residential and commercial rooftop solar system due to its low installation cost. It is easy to maintain and makes productive use of the unused space on your rooftop for solar energy generation.
If you want to keep the roof free for daily usage and at the same time install a rooftop solar system, you can increase the height of the mountain structure. In this way, the panels can capture the sunlight even as the space below them remains free.
A mounting structure should last for 25-30 years. It should be corrosion-resistant and strong enough to last for decades. Mounting structures made of galvanised zinc are preferred due to their corrosion resistance.
Before installing a mounting structure, you must thoroughly survey your rooftop. In particular, you must ensure that no shadow falls on the panels. A shadow can drastically reduce the efficiency of your panels. Therefore, a mounting structure must be installed at such a height and angle that it maximises radiation received by the panels.
2. Ground-Mounted Structure
As the name suggests, a ground-mounted structure is installed on the ground. You can opt for this option if you do not have sufficient space on your rooftop or if it is covered by shadow. It is an ideal choice where abundant sunlight and land area are available. With a ground-mounted structure, you can reap the benefits of solar electricity without drilling your roof or worrying about its shape or size.
3. Pole Mounting Structure
A pole-mounting solar panel mounting structure design is created by erecting a pole on a concrete structure. Such systems are typically found in commercial or agricultural setups or private properties with the availability of free space. It can be a good alternative in places with limited free space. For pole mounting, levelling of the land is not necessary. A concrete anchor can be installed on the ground to uphold the pole mounting structure.
4. Smartflower
Smartflower is a mourning structure with panels arranged like the petals of a flower. Not only are they aesthetically pleasant, but they also have a very high efficiency. Smartflower is a very new entrant in the solar industry. The solar panel installation cost is a major barrier to its adoption.
5. Carport Mounting Structure
A carport mounting structure uses sunlight falling on a parking lot for electricity generation. It is ideal for shopping malls, airports, and other places with big parking spaces. Installing an on-grid solar system on a carport can significantly reduce electricity bills. An on grid solar system is one in which the solar electricity generated is sent to the grid instead of being saved in a battery.
A carport mounting structure also enhances the benefit of shading. A parking lot solar panel structure produces a cooling effect for the cars and drivers underneath the mounting structure. The roof is protected from the heat by the solar system. Thus, the basement, cars, and drivers find it much more comfortable than a typical parking lot.
6. Tracking System Mounting Structure
In a tracking system mounting structure, a tracking system follows the movement of the sun to generate the most amount of solar electricity. The efficiency is maximum when the sunlight falls perpendicular to the panels. The tracking system helps in reducing the slant with which the sunlight falls on the panels.
You can install a tracker which has either a single-axis system or a dual-axis system. A tracker with a single-axis system tracks the movement of the sun only in the east-west direction.
A dual-axis system has both a vertical as well as a horizontal axis. Thus, it can track the sun’s trajectory in the sky both in the east-west and north-south directions.
Though this type of structure increases the efficiency of the system, such systems are seldom used because they are highly expensive.
7. Floating Solar Mount
A floating mounting structure is installed on water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds, etc. To keep it floating, it is anchored to dead weights. It does not have much impact on the aquatic environment. Its structure is usually made of high-density polyethene (HDPE) and aluminium. The floating solar mount structure can be an alternative where the free area on land is unavailable. India’s largest floating solar project is in Telangana. It has a capacity of 100 MW.
You can look for vendors around you who can provide excellent rooftop solar installation service. It will benefit you a lot if you hire a solar installer through Das Energie Private Limited. This is because it onboards thoroughly vetted vendors for installing the rooftop solar systems. You can get quotations from your nearby vendors through this platform. A professional with a solid track record will be best suited to install a mounting structure for your solar system.
To conclude, several types of solar mounting structures can be used in a solar installation. The structure should be strong enough to last for decades. Rooftop installation is the most common choice for domestic users. In places with a large footfall, a car parking solar canopy can be an ideal choice. As India has a significant number of water bodies, floating solar projects can also help in achieving the target of generating 100 GW of solar power.
