Solar Panel Mounting and Ventilation

Important issues for mounting of solar panels

By Sustainability at University of Western Australia - credit Jonathan Thwaites

This article looks at the last item only. Contrary to what you may expect, when solar panels become hot, their output is reduced.

Panel temperature has a large effect on efficiency. A 20° Celsius increase in panel temperature can reduce efficiency by as much as 40%. Natural convective air cooling around the panels is essential to ensure efficiency losses are minimised.

How NOT to mount solar panels

solar panel on tin roof without gap for ventilation

The old mounting system shown on the right, provided inadequate ventilation for cooling and also lacked mechanical integrity.

The cooler you can keep the panels the better their performance, particularly in summer. A gap between the panels and the roof provides natural ventilation. The maximum size of the ventilation gap depends on the quality of your frame, the surrounding terrain and topography, and the 'Wind Region' (check with local council). Obviously, cyclone prone areas require stronger frames and bolts.

See our range of solar mounting frames.

How to mount solar panels


solar panels on frame with ventilation gap solar panels on frame with ventilation gap

Solar panel temperature and efficiency data

Temperature data collected off the panels for the old mounting system is shown below together with weather data from the Murdoch University weather station some 15 km from the power station.


solar panel temperature and efficiency data

We install solar systems in Northern NSW and Southern QLD.


QLD:
Gold Coast (from Coolangatta to Southport), Nerang and Hinterland (Beaudesert) and out West (Warwick, Stanthorpe, Killarney)


NSW:
Northern NSW (Tweed Heads to Iluka, including Evans Head, Byron Bay and Ballina); the Far North Coast Hinterland (Yamba via Lismore to Murwillumbah) and out West (Casino to Tenterfield, including Drake and Tabulam, as well as Woodenbong and Bonalbo)

We also have sales agents in
Grafton:contact Andy Wilkinson directly on 0409 508 144, and
Tenterfield:contact Diamond J Legend directly on 0425 769 444.