Here, we go over the basic categories of roof-mounted solar systems to help new installers get a grasp on installation.

Sloped roof mounting systems
For residential solar installations, solar panels are usually installed on a sloping roof. There are many installation system options for these sloping roofs, the most common options being railed, rail-less and shared rail. All these systems require some type of penetration or anchoring to the roof, whether connected to the rafters or directly to the decking.

Flat roof mounting systems
Commercial and industrial solar applications often appear on large flat roofs, such as large stores or manufacturing plants.Most ballast installation systems for flat roofs use "foot" as the basic component-a basket or tray-like hardware, with a sloped design, located on the top of the roof with fixed ballast blocks at the bottom, fixed top panels and bottom edges. The panel is tilted at an optimal angle to capture the most sunlight, usually between 5 and 15°.

BIPV
As the public becomes more and more interested in aesthetics and unique solar installations,  Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), which means that solar energy is built into the structure will rise in popularity. These solar products do not need to install a system, because the product has been integrated into the roof and becomes a part of the roof structure. BIPV is suitable for industrial and commercial roofs, and can also be used for parking lot construction.