Solar panel fixings

What is a solar panel mounting system?

Overlay solar panels can be installed on any type of support and for all sizes of solar panels.

An in-line panel mount consisting of two rails fixed to the frame by means of fixing hooks that pass between the tiles. The solar panels are then fixed to aluminum rails by clamps that tighten the frame of the panels. All the screws are made of stainless steel to guarantee maximum durability and satisfy the customer for many years.

However, there are as many solar panel mounting systems as there are types of roofs and other supports, so how do you choose your solar panel mounting system?

How to choose your solar mount?

Depending on the Solar Panel chosen

• Technology: The panel technology (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous silicon) does not count in the choice of the fixing kit.
• Color: Choose the flanges according to the color of the photovoltaic panel frame, whether black or anodized aluminum.

Depending on its Frame or Support Structure

• Traditional Wood Frame: The K2 system solution is an aluminum kit ideal for this type of framework. The hooks are fixed on the supporting structure of the roof, and these robust aluminum products are well rated by our customer reviews.
• Truss frame: The ESDEC solution is designed for this type of framework. This galvanized steel product, easy to install, adapts well to all types of roofing and also receives very good customer reviews.

Depending on its Tiles or Covering

The choice of hook is determined by the thickness and curve of the tiles. There are many types of tiles: channel tile, concrete tile, flat tile, scale tile, slate, steel tray. It is important to check the dimensions against the specifications of the hook that you can find in the technical sheets on the product page.

Depending on the Panel Orientation

A portrait or landscape installation changes the list of parts included in the mounting kit. Installing portrait panels requires horizontal rails, while installing landscape panels requires vertical rails.

Depending on the inverter or microinverter model.

The choice to use micro-inverters requires fixing them under the panels using a bracket or on the aluminum rail with self-drilling screws. To limit the overheating of micro-inverters, manufacturers impose minimum distances between the panel and the micro-inverter. To respect these constraints imposed for the micro-inverter warranty, we choose for you the equipment and accessories allowing these warranties to be respected.

How is the fixing kit for my solar panels calculated?

Sizing solar panel mountings

We have a fixing solution for all types of supports and roofs. All our fixing systems are sized according to Eurocodes NV 65 calculation notes and are based on the manufacturer's software tools. Our products, made of stainless steel, aluminum and galvanized steel, are designed for a long service life and benefit from high guarantees. All fixing kits are compatible with micro-inverters or string inverters.

How much does a solar panel mount cost?

The price of a solar panel mounting structure depends on the roof support and the size of the system. The most competitive price is that of a steel tray mounting system, then the price of fixing for the tile (all tiles combined) and the most expensive will be the fixing by ballast tray for solar panels on the ground or on a flat roof. We guarantee the best prices all year round. Delivery is free from €1,490, and the price includes a minimum 2-year warranty. Our products are stored in France, near Lyon, which allows for fast delivery in a few days anywhere in France.

Fixing Kits for Photovoltaic Solar Panels

Composition of Solar Panel Fixing Kits

The fixing kits consist of essential products such as:

• Aluminum or stainless steel hook: the hook is chosen according to the tiles and the frame. Their number depends on the quantity of pannet panel and the length of the rails
• Aluminum rails: it is chosen according to the type of hook. Two are needed per row of panels; they are fixed to the roof support using hooks and stainless steel screws.
• Aluminum flanges: the flange is specific to each rail, it allows the panel frame to be tightened on the rail. The flanges are available in black or gray and must be chosen according to the color of the panel frame.

And essential accessories:

• Rail connector: The rail connector allows rails to be joined together to form the rail at the desired length. The assembly of rails and connectors can be done on the ground or on the roof.
• Stainless steel screws: These are used to fix the entire solar kit installation to the roof support. The hooks are fixed to the roof by screws, as are the rails to the hook and the flanges to the main rail.
• Cap: supplied in the solar kit, the caps are placed at the end of the rail for an aesthetic finish to the installation.
• Grounding: all metal masses of the solar installation (hook, rail, flanges and panel frame) must be connected to ground. The fixing kit provides the accessories to connect the panel supports simply, quickly and at the best price.

Oscar-Power solar mounting kits are made to automatically determine the composition of the mounting kit based on the ground support or the type of tile on the customer's roof so that the hook proposed in the mounting kit is the right one. The mounting kit includes the appropriate rail as well as the flange in the color of the panel. The entire mounting is held in stock and will be prepared specifically for your solar installation! To simplify and not forget anything, we have designed rows of 1 to 10 panels for portrait installation and columns of 1 to 10 panels for landscape installation.

Types of Fixing Kits

Fixing for Steel Tray

• Price Advantage: The steel tray fixing is the simplest, fastest and least expensive on the market.
• Boundaries: The composition of the portrait fixing kit does not use the same mini-aluminum rails as the landscape fixing. Only the steel tray in notches is compatible.
• Composition: The fixing consists of a mini aluminium support rail with fixing screws, intermediate flanges and end flanges with caps.

Tile Roof Hook

• Flat Tile Roofing: Extra flat stainless steel hook to slide between tiles, fixed by screws without the need to grind the tiles.
• Curved Tile Roofing: Aluminum hook with two height adjustments to adjust to the thickness and height of the tile.
• Concrete Tile Roof: Shorter aluminum or steel hook.

Fixing screws are included in the price of the hooks.

Slate Roof Hook

• Flat stainless steel hook: Must be combined with zinc plates (not supplied) for waterproofing above and below the hook. The installation of the slate hooks takes longer, but the installation of the aluminum rails and the fixing of the panels with the flanges is identical to that of the tiles.
• Expert Opinion: Choosing black panels and black anodized aluminum flanges for an optimal aesthetic result on a slate roof is important.

Flat Roof Fixing

• K2 Multi Angle System: 45° inclined multi-purpose aluminum bracket. This kit can be placed on the ground on a flat roof and is adaptable to various surfaces.

Installation of the Rails

The rails are screwed or clipped onto the hooks once they are fixed to the roof support. The aluminium rails measure between 2.1 m and 2.5 m and can be adjusted to the necessary length using a hacksaw.

Ground fixing solution using weighted tray

Our ground supports are interesting solar fixings for complex roofs, think about it! The support kit is designed for two panels. It is composed of a box and a pair of aluminum rails with aluminum fixing flanges. The ballast tray can be filled with earth, bricks or concrete slabs. The kit is composed of three packs:

• Aluminum Rail Pack
• Box Pack
• Connector Pack for Extension

A microinverter bracket is included on top of the enclosure.

3. Expert Opinion

We have tested all the solar panel mounting products for you and have selected those that seemed to us to be the most reliable and easiest to install on your roof support or your ground support.

To make things easier for you, we have createda configuratorwhich will help you to compose an online fixing kit for portrait and column panels for the installation of landscape panels. You can customize your solar panel fixing kit to your roof by taking into account the existing constraints of the support such as chimney, skylight and other constraints limiting the installation of photovoltaic panels.

Our configurator allows you to customize your mounting kit according to the desired mounting, the chosen panel kit, your roof and the obstacles. You choose the support on which your panels will be mounted, the mounting mode (portrait or landscape) and the number of rows or columns. The hooks and rails will be automatically adjusted, the color of the flanges will adapt according to the chosen panel, and all the accessories necessary for roof mounting will be included.

Access the configurator here:Oscaro Power Configurator.

Installation of the fixing kit

Technical Support

To help you with the assembly, several supports are available:

• Our Guides: Step-by-step description of the installation and assembly steps can be found in the solar dictionary.
• Our Tutorials: Text, diagram or video tutorials detailing the important steps for assembling your fixing kit.
• Our Videos: Also find our videos on our YouTube channel:Oscaro Powerwhich will allow you to visualize the installation of your Oscaro-Power fixing kit in a few minutes.
• Manufacturer's Notice: Instructions and technical documents available and downloadable on the fixing kit page:Oscaro Power Fixations.
• Online Support: Chat, phone and email support for personalized advice

How to install solar panel roof brackets

Center your solar panels on the roof for a better visual effect.

In my opinion, measure the exact dimensions of your roof and report the dimensions of the solar panels, not forgetting the spaces of the aluminum flanges between panels (generally 20mm) as well as the terminal flanges (30mm). You can find the exact dimensions of the panels on their technical sheet available on their product pagehttps://www.oscaro-power.com/collections/panneaux-solaires

Also think about the end of the aluminum rails which must exceed 5 to 10 cm on each side of the panels. The structure of the panels is composed of two aluminum support rails which are spaced approximately 1 meter apart, which generally corresponds to 3 rows of tiles. Ideally, the panels should exceed the rails 30 to 45 cm in a balanced manner. Then place the hooks provided along the length of the rails. It is interesting to take into account the center distance of the rafters which will serve as support for the hook (K2 System) to balance their distribution. Our fixing kits are oversized to meet the constraints throughout France. If you have more hooks, reinforce the corners of your solar installation as a priority. Identify the location of the hooks on your roof by marking the tiles to be removed with chalk. Check that the fixing supports of your frame are in good condition. Screw the hooks to the frame support. Prepare the aluminum rails on the ground. The rails are fixed to them using a connection kit consisting of a small U-shaped aluminum rail and fixing screws. Once mounted on the roof, the beam is fixed to the hooks using screws or clips. Align your rails using a bracket and a string on one side of the roof. The excess aluminum rail will be cut to size on the other side of the roof when you have finished mounting your panels on the rails. Place the solar cables along the rails. You can hang the solar cable along the rail with the fixing brackets provided in the solar fixing kit. Also connect the rails to the ground using the 6mm² yellow and green cable. You can start mounting your panels. Start with the side of the roof furthest away. Place the first panel, place the ground claws between the panel and the rail before tightening the frame of the first panel with the terminal flanges provided in the fixing kit. Once the first panel is fixed to the structure. Place the intermediate clamps on standby for the second panel. Bring the panel, don't forget to connect it to the first and put the ground claw before placing it on the aluminum rail and tightening the clamps. Repeat the operation for as many panels as you have. Once the panels are installed, you can cut off the excess rail and put the end caps.

Fixing kits

Delivery

Your fixing kit is kept in stock in Lyon, which allows rapid delivery at the best price in just a few days anywhere in France.

The delivery of the panels is done on pallet (80x120) on a vertical wooden support not exceeding 2m. The flanges and other accessories of the solar fixing of the solar structure as well as the inverters or micro-inverter electric wire are delivered in pack with the panels. The 2.4m aluminum rails are delivered in separate packages. If the solar rail package arrives damaged, remember to report it to the carrier upon delivery.

The carrier will make an appointment to deliver your solar installation kit to your home with the panels, rails and all the fixing elements. The solar kit is heavy and cannot be transported by pallet truck on a smooth and rolling support. Think about it!

What is your opinion on the solar mounting kit received?

Your opinion matters to us! When you order from Oscaro-Power you can tell us what you think of the solar kit you received. The quality of the solar mounting kit as well as the price of the solar panels, the ease of mounting the kit on its support... Does the stock of parts correspond to the description of the mounting kit? Did the mounting kit fit your supports well, were the flanges compliant and in particular did the roof hook fit the tiles on your roof well?

If you have encountered any difficulties, have you contacted our solar technical support? Did they know your solar kit and the composition of the fixing? Our technical support is trained in all Oscaro-Power solar fixing products. Their advice can help you during roof mounting. Did the hooks and rails adapt well to the support of your roof? Did the installation of the solar panels go well? We await your comments to adapt our kits to the different supports and roofs that you encounter. Thank you for sharing your opinion around you and your friends.

We are committed to providing an efficient support service to get your solar panels up and running as quickly as possible.