Panel Installation

• 1). Locate the roof rafter beams. Start from inside the attic. Drive a nail through the roof along the first rafter to identify the starting point from the exterior. Secure the brackets or rails into the beams with lag screws. Installation usually requires brackets for sloped roofs and railings for flat roofs. Secure the brackets/rails to the beams, ensuring a solid and reliable installation that can withstand wind and other elements.
  
  
• 2). Apply roof sealant around the lag screw head using the trowel. The sealant prevents water infiltration into the roof system and attic space. Attach the mounting rails to the brackets. Hoist the solar panels to the roof one by one.
  
  
• 3). Clamp panels into place on the brackets/rails. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for detailed guidance on securing the panels on the mounts. Some systems require screws.
  
  

Wire the Panels

• 1). Run two conductors (red and black wires) to connect the PV on the inside of the roof instead of along the surface of the roof. The wires run to a charge controller located on the ground. This results in a cleaner, professional installation. Select which of the two options you want to wire the panels: "series" or "parallel." Use the parallel wiring method if you want the system's output voltage to remain the same, but increase the system's amperage (AMP).
  
  
• 2). Secure the positive wires along the top edge of the panels. Identify the positive terminal on the first panel, which usually has a red wire. Locate the positive wire on the second panel and connect them together. Repeat this step for subsequent panels. Route the negative wires along the bottom edge of the solar panels. Connect the negative terminal, which is the black wire. Whether wiring two panels or 20, the voltage remains the same, but the amps increase to the total amps of the wired panels. Secure all wires with wire nuts.
  
  
• 3). Use the "series" wiring method to increase the system's voltage. For example, to use two 6-volt panels for a system that requires 12 volts (the industry standard), wire the two panels in series. Depending on the use, some systems can require 24 or 48 volts. Attach the positive wire of the first module to the negative wire of the second panel. Follow manufacturer directions for connecting the ground wire.
  
  
• 4). Connect the wires from the solar panels to the DC/AC inverter. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) from the panels to an alternating current (AC) for powering normal appliances. Follow the instructions for connecting the panels to the solar charge controller when using solar batteries. It will prevent over-charging the battery and protects against cross wiring of the panel. It also shows the charging and battery status to prevent draining the battery. Wire the photovoltaic system to the house electrical system for grid-tied systems.