What type of mounts should I use?
One of the biggest determining factors of what type of mount to use is the type and
size of solar panel you are using.  Different brands are meant for specific types of
mounts.

There are four basic types of mount structures: roof/ground, top-of-pole, side-of-pole
and tracking mounts, each having their own pros and cons. For example roof mount
structures typically keep the wire run distances between the solar array and battery
bank or grid-tie inverter to a minimum, which is good. But they may also require roof
penetrations in multiple locations, and they require an expensive ground fault
protection device to satisfy article 690-5 of the National Electrical Code-NEC. On the
other hand,ground mounted solar arrays require fairly precise foundation setup,are
more susceptible to theft/vandalism and excessive snow accumulation at the bottom
of the array.

Next are top-of-pole mounts which are relatively easy to install (you sink a 2-6 inch
diameter SCH40 steel pole up to 4-6 feet in the ground with concrete). Make sure
that the pole is plumb and mount the solar modules and rack on top of the pole.  Top-
of-pole mounts reduce the risk of theft/vandalism (as compared to a ground mount).
They are also a better choice for cold climates because snow slides off easily.

Side of pole mounts are easy to install, but are typically used for small numbers of solar
modules (1- 4) for remote lighting systems where there already is an existing pole to
attach them to. Last but not least are the trackers, which increase the daily number of
full sun hours and are usually used for solar water pumping applications.

Trackers are extremely effective in the summer time when water is needed the most.
In the northern U.S., typical home energy usage peaks in the winter when a tracker
mount makes very little difference as compared to any type of fixed mount (roof,
ground or top-of-pole). In this
situation,having more modules on a less expensive fixed mount will serve you better in
the winter than fewer modules on a tracker. However, if you are in the southern U.S.
and your energy usage peaks in the summer, then a tracker may be beneficial to
match the time of your highest energy consumption with a tracking solar array’s
maximum energy output.
Switchback Energy Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 636
Iona, ID 83427
(208)520-0614
Fax: (208)528-2852
info@switchbackenergy.com
Switchback Energy Systems, Inc.
Go Wind or Solar!