MOUNTS
There are many ways to mount solar panels. Every situation is different. There are flat roofs, sloped roofs of all degrees, pole mounts, trackers, and ground mounts. The latest solar in Europe is south facing walls or "facades". The facade solar panels are building integrated (BIPV) as are solar shingles or "Sunslates" (trade name). BIPV means that you are dealing not only with a power producing solar product but also a building material such as a window, a shingle or a concrete siding material all of which happen to have solar laminated to or imbedded in.
Generally speaking, the solar panels are fastened together with aluminum rails then they are bolted to roofs or poles in order to get them secure in the south facing aspect where there is no shading during the major part of the day. Each system is unique to the site and the power needs. There is much engineering that goes on in the design process from roof load to pole size and depth to proper clamps, nuts and bolts. This in not an industry for guessing games. Proper mounting is a good reason for hiring a NABCEP certified solar installer. See>nabcep.org<.
Below is a passive tracker. This is the most efficient way to install grid-tie solar because it gets you lots of extra sun credits in the summer months and is adjustable for winter. fixed ground mounts are similar in appearance, but they don't follow the sun through the day. A fixed mount is more efficient for an off-grid system in Montana as the money spent on the tracker could provide more panels toward winter energy support when you need it most.
Below is a balasted, flat roof system which allows for wind sheer without making penetrations in the roof membrane.
Below is the rubber boot sytem which protects penetrations in roof membrane but avoids the added weight of the balasted system.
By far the most common way to mount solar panels is with aluminum rails lagged to the roof. Here the two installers are preparing for both solar PV (below where they are standing) and solar hot water on the upper slope. This is a metal roof with special clamps that fit the corrugations. There are special clamps for standing seam and most common are the asphalt shingle roofs. Cedar Shakes don't accept solar mounting structures very readily.
Below is the mounting system for the Sunslates which is usually done in co-ordination with the project carpenters.
