I'm planning an install of solar panels on my off-grid cabin, which has metal roofing (26 gauge PBR-profile). I have been looking at S-5 that have several options with brackets that fit right over the profile on my metal roof. These brackets can then attach to either their PV-Kit which mounts directly to solar panels, or I can mount a rail to these brackets and then mount the solar panels to the rails in a more traditional fashion. Because I'm getting snow and occasionally strong winds, I'd like to mount the panels at two place along the long sides (as opposed to attaching along the short sides).
The options I would like some input on are shown below (disregard the left/right positioning of the arrays on the roof)
S-5 RibBracket: https://buys-5.com/product/s-5-ribbracket-iii/
S-5 PV-Kit: https://buys-5.com/product/pvkit-2-0-midgrab-with-black-anodized-top-grab/
Option 1:
16x 390W panels mounted in portrait orientation to 4 rails (each rail ~30 ft long)
Rails attached to roof using S-5 bracket.
Pros:
I can fit 16 panels on there
The rails will make cable management easier
The rails will make the install easier as I can use it for support when moving on the (7:12) roof
Rails can be reused in the (distant) future if I decide to re-do the array
Cons:
More expensive because I'll need 120 ft of railing
Possibly a bit higher profile (more distance between roof and panel)
More work?
Option 2:
15x 390W panels mounted in landscape orientation to directly to metal roof
S-5 RibBracket and PV-Kit
Pros:
Lower cost (thanks to no railing)
Possibly easier/faster install
Low profile installation (still with sufficient airgap between panels and roof)
Cons:
I can fit one less panel
More difficult to service if I need to get to a central panel (unlikely?)
The options I would like some input on are shown below (disregard the left/right positioning of the arrays on the roof)
S-5 RibBracket: https://buys-5.com/product/s-5-ribbracket-iii/
S-5 PV-Kit: https://buys-5.com/product/pvkit-2-0-midgrab-with-black-anodized-top-grab/
Option 1:
16x 390W panels mounted in portrait orientation to 4 rails (each rail ~30 ft long)
Rails attached to roof using S-5 bracket.
Pros:
I can fit 16 panels on there
The rails will make cable management easier
The rails will make the install easier as I can use it for support when moving on the (7:12) roof
Rails can be reused in the (distant) future if I decide to re-do the array
Cons:
More expensive because I'll need 120 ft of railing
Possibly a bit higher profile (more distance between roof and panel)
More work?
Option 2:
15x 390W panels mounted in landscape orientation to directly to metal roof
S-5 RibBracket and PV-Kit
Pros:
Lower cost (thanks to no railing)
Possibly easier/faster install
Low profile installation (still with sufficient airgap between panels and roof)
Cons:
I can fit one less panel
More difficult to service if I need to get to a central panel (unlikely?)