subject: Solar Panel Mounts: Choosing The Best Material For Your Home [print this page] When researching what type of solar panels to buy for your home, you should also do a little research on the mounts you will need for your panels. Solar panel mounts are incredibly important when it comes to the effectiveness of your whole solar system.
You should buy solar panel mounts that best suits your needs, and that will provide your solar panels with a strong foundation. You will find that mounts are made out of different materials. These materials include aluminum, stainless steel, angle iron, and wood. Each offers certain benefits and set backs.
Aluminum Mounts
Aluminum is lightweight and easy to weld and shape. It can also withstand tough weather conditions and is resistant to corrosion. It is however one of the most expensive materials.
Stainless Steel Mounts
Stainless steel is the most expensive material of the four listed above. It can be tough to work worth, not offering the ease and flexibility of aluminum. However, it is known for being able to withstand just about any type of abuse.
Angle Iron Mounts
Angle iron is cheaper than the other metals listed and is known for being easy to work with. Unfortunately, it is a cheap metal that will corrode very quickly when subjected to wet conditions.
Wood Mounts
Lastly, wood is the cheapest option. It is also the easiest to get. Wood cannot withstand various weather conditions like some of the other options. It must be treated before use, and even then it is not the most durable material. If it is not treated, you will have to replace the wood even more often.
In addition to making sure that you choose the right material for your mounts, you should also consider the wind load that your mounts and panels will have to deal with. The wind load must also be taken into consideration when you're choosing a mount material. The wind load is a pressure force created when wind hits solar panels at various angles. It is recommended that you ask a contractor in your area what the wind load might be on different areas of your roof. This will help you make the best decision about which mounting material to buy.
