4.3 Basic Mounting Procedures
The SunEarth solar collector in your SolaRay
AC solar system may be mounted in either a
vertical or horizontal orientation on the roof
(See Figure 1). Although the collector is pro-
tected from freeze conditions by the propylene
glycol HTF and does not normally need to be
drained, it is still important to slope the collec-
tors slightly to allow for complete drainage if
necessary. The recommended slope is ¼” per
foot of collector horizontal run.
The collector should be mounted as close to the
storage tank as possible to minimize heat loss
in the piping runs. If the home has attic access,
mounting the collectors near the roof peak pro-
vides for additional attic workspace.
The solar collector should be mounted on the
roof in accordance with these general principles:
4.3.1 The most important structural consider-
ation is to securely anchor the solar collector
and the SunEarth mounting hardware to the
structural members of the roof with stainless
steel hanger bolts, lag bolts, standoff mounts or
other approved roof attachment methods. The
solar collector shall be attached to the mounting
hardware as detailed in Figures 5–10. (Note:
The drawings in this manual detail mounting
hardware for the SunEarth Empire, Imperial,
SunBelt and ThermoRay series collectors).
4.3.2 The collector should be raised from the
roof surface to allow for rainwater and debris to
pass under the collectors and for proper ventila-
tion of the roofing material. There should be at
least 1 ½” of clearance between the roof surface
and the bottom of the solar collectors. Local
codes may require greater clearance for snow
shedding, etc.
4.3.3 When selecting mounting hardware and
fasteners it is extremely important to avoid gal-
vanic corrosion resulting from the direct contact
of incompatible metals. Use of SunEarth anod-
ized aluminum SolarStrut mounting hardware
and stainless steel lag or hanger bolts, and fas-
tening hardware is recommended. In climates
subject to severe winters or high humidity use
of galvanized fasteners is prohibited.
P.8
20% OF COLLECTOR
LENGTH
COLLECTOR
ROOF RAFTER
ROOF DECKING
COMPOSITE SHINGLES
COLLECTOR
C-SSN
ROOF RAFTER
ROOF DECKING
COMPOSITION SHINGLES
SOLAR STRUT
STAINLESS STEEL LAG BOLT
STANDOFF
LEAD FLASHING
FILL VOID WITH SEALANT
fig. 6
STRUT ON STANDOFF FOR
COMPOSITION SHINGLE ROOF
