We have a lot of tile roofs in Florida. Sometimes known as barrel tile, S-tile, Roman tile, Spanish tile, or Mediterranean tile (among other names), these roofs are popular, especially in gated communities. Installing solar pool heating panels presents challenges on tile roofs, and we like the aluminum rack method. This method uses structural aluminum channels to act as a …
From Solar Design to Solar Reality
It’s one thing to come up with a great solar design and rendering for presentation purposes, but watching it become a reality is an amazing feeling. I worked on this project a few years ago where I designed an off-grid solar electric system for a home on Keewaydin Island in Southwest Florida. The property does not have access to utility …
Solar Pool Heating on a Flat Roof
We are asked frequently, can I put solar pool heating panels on a flat roof? The answer is yes, if there is no suitable pitched roof, it can be done. But we don’t do it for very good reasons. Ideally, solar panels are mounted on a pitched roof facing south. West and east roofs can also work. However, where shading …
Photovoltaic Systems Can Fit Any Roof
Sometimes it’s a challenge to fit a photovoltaic (solar electric) system on a roof, but with careful planning, most any roof can accommodate at least some solar panels. This roof (which happens to be mine) was a bit challenging because I have a unique dining room that juts out from the south roof onto the pool deck. The system was …