Can I Install Long Island Solar Panels on a Flat Roof?
Yes, you can have solar panels installed on a flat roof, and there are even solutions to mount the system without penetrating the waterproof membrane. Power Solutions is one of the best-rated solar contractors on Long Island. Our extensive experience across thousands of residential and commercial projects makes us the best choice for a solar panel installation on a flat or low-pitched roof.
3 Flat Roof Mounting Solutions for Solar Panel Installations
There are three typical mounting solutions for flat roof solar in Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
Ballasted Mounting (Non-Penetrating)
Weight and an aerodynamic profile are used to keep solar panels stable on the rooftop. This is the most common installation method for commercial projects, but it is also suited to homes with unique architectural designs and flat roofing sections.
Concrete blocks are used as ballast weight to secure a wind-resistant racking system. There are no holes made in the roof membrane.
Attached Mounting (Penetrating)
Some flat roofing can’t handle the dead load of concrete blocks. Or, if the structure is in a high wind zone (usually within a mile of the South Shore or East End), it might need penetrating mounting points for maximum security. Metal posts are bolted to the building’s structural steel or concrete deck. Penetrations through the surface are flashed, usually with a TPO boot or chemical sealant. This prevents water entry.
Attached mounting is the most secure type of flat-roof mounting, but it’s also costlier and more complex. It is only needed for areas where wind speeds are expected to exceed the performance of a ballasted solar panel installation.
Hybrid Systems
Some systems will require a hybrid approach with some ballast. If the roof can handle a moderate amount of weight from ballast but requires additional wind shear resistance, it will use penetrating mechanical attachments at the corners where wind uplift is strongest.
A hybrid system reduces the number of roof penetrations while also reducing the total ballast weight. It ensures that roof integrity is maintained without risking damage from heavy nor’easters.
Why Aren’t Solar Panels Laid Flat on a Flat Roof?
Flat roof solar panel installations on Long Island use tilt racking for several reasons:
- Self-Cleaning: Tilted panels can clean themselves. Rainwater would pool on panels mounted flat on the roof surface. When they’re tilted, gravity forces the rain down, cleaning away surface dust and debris.
- Solar Energy Yield: Panels produce the most energy when they’re perpendicular to the sun. On Long Island, they need to be South Facing, Southwest Facing (ideal for the South Shore with early morning fog), or West Facing (ideal for PSEG Time-of-Use rates to hit peak production when electricity is most expensive). If they faced directly upward, they would never reach their optimal efficiency targets. You would essentially be leaving free solar energy and savings on the table.
- Cooling: Lifting the panels away from the surface allows airflow underneath, keeping the panels cooler. The cooler the panels are, the more efficient they are.
Get a Safe and Stable Flat Roof Solar Installation with Power Solutions
Power Solutions has an experienced engineering team ready to optimize a flat roof solar panel installation to suit your budget. Our advanced solutions prevent leaks and damage.
Start with your free ballpark solar estimate online, or call us at (631) 348-0001 to explore your solar panel options today.
