How to install solar heating

Solar panels generate clean and renewable electricity to power remote appliances and your average home as well so they're a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint. Here's a guide on how to fit them to your roof.

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Difficult

What you need

• Solar panels
• Ladder
• Nails
• Hammer
• Stainless steel bolts
• Wrench
• Roof flashing
• Blocks of woods
• Caulking gun
• Caulk
• Inverter
• Circuit tester

The steps to follow

Note:
Roof mounted solar panels are most suited for do-it-yourself solar panel installation and usually measure 40 cm by 92 cm ( 1.5 by 3 ft) delivering about 75 watts of electricity.

1. Before installing solar panels, you may need planning permission so check with your local council first.
2. Find the sunniest spot on the roof.
3. Measure the length that will be needed to install the panels. Each mount should be 122 cm (48 in) apart.
4. Draw out a straight line on the surface.
5. Drill mounting holes with a pilot bit into the roof. The mounts should not be attached to the sheathing of the roof but on rafters.
6. Evenly space 3 blocks of wood under each mount to give it some height. The solar panels should be at least 7 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in) off the roof.
7. Drill through the mount and the block of woods and fasten with steel bolts.
8. Seal any roof holes with a caulking gun.
9. Next, secure roof flashings on the mount to prevent any leaks.
10. Fix the panels to the mounts.
11. Use a circuit tester to test the voltage output of solar panels.
12. Plug the solar panel battery wires to the inverter which will convert the energy to AC current.