Solar panel mounting & fixings
Good mounting is what keeps an array on the roof for 25 years. We stock complete mounting systems and the single brackets, rails, clamps and roof hooks to build them, for pitched tile and slate roofs, flat roofs and ground mounts.
Match the fixing to the roof. Use roof hooks and rails for tiles and standoff brackets for slate. Flat roofs take ballasted or penetrating frames, while ground and garden installs use A-frame racking.
What this category covers
Pitched-roof mounting brackets
Flat-roof mounting
Ground-mount racking
Mounting rails & clamps
How to choose mounting & fixings
Start by finding out what your roof is made of and how strong it is. Tile, slate, metal sheet and flat roofs each need a different fixing. Therefore, never reuse a bracket from another job without checking that it fits.
Next, think about wind and snow. Panels act like a sail, so a weak fixing can lift in a storm. For that reason, follow the maker's spacing for hooks and clamps, and fix into the rafters rather than the tiles.
Finally, plan the rails and clamps around your panel size. Panel frames vary, so check the clamp range before you order. Additionally, use earthing clips where the instructions ask for them, and keep a few spare clamps for the job.
Mounting is easier to plan when you know the whole system, so our solar panel kits buying guide is a good place to start. Our guide to MC4 connectors covers the wiring that follows the rails, and the solar inverter comparison helps you pick the inverter. You can also look at solar panels and kits and cabling and connectors to finish the order.
Solar Panel Kits Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Kit
Buying mounting & fixings for a project?
Mounting & Fixings — common questions
What mounting do I need for a tiled roof?
Pitched tile roofs use roof hooks fixed to the rafters, aluminium rails, and mid and end clamps to hold the panels. Slate roofs typically use standoff brackets instead of hooks. Check your roof type before you order.
Can I fit solar panels on a flat roof?
Yes, because flat roofs can use ballasted or tilted frames. These angle the panels and avoid roof penetrations. We stock both ballast and penetrating flat-roof systems.