What follows are the Top Solar Mounting Products for 2018. Rail-less systems still prove to be popular in the residential market, and now we have tracking systems for flat roofs. Take a look at this year’s innovative products (listed alphabetically by company) within the solar racking and mounting category (grouped by pitched roof, flat roof, ground-mount, tracking systems and carports).
See the full list of the 2018 Top Solar Products here.
The COMPACTPITCH products are associated with all pitched roof systems at AEROCOPMACT. For example, the regular trapezoidal roof solution is part of this product group and designed for landscape and portrait module configurations on metal roofs. All systems are made of aluminum and stainless steel.
Rock-It System 3.0 employs a streamlined design, adjusts north to south and provides an fast, easy, no-hassle installation. Conforming to UL 2703: First Edition, Rock-It System 3.0 retains the unique top-down leveling that installers appreciate, and was designed for a faster, easier installation.
EcoX Universal Rail-Less fits any module thickness from 32-mm to 46-mm using a single size for each core component. Fewer SKUs reduces inventory, minimizes job site interruptions and streamlines logistics. Installers go from one job per day to two with 33% fewer penetrations than a rail-based system, and no rails are needed.
MageMount II is an improved rail-less solar mounting system that is installed like rail-based solar mounting system with separate roof attachments and interlocking module connectors compatible with most solar modules. It provides complete solutions with roof attachments for all roof types at lower cost and reduced installation time.
Pegasus Solar’s Comp Mount is a cost-effective, high-quality option for rail installations on composite shingle roofs. Designed to last decades, the one-piece black flashing with elevated cone means there are no press-fits or deck-level EPDM washers to fail. The black L-foot is compatible with most rail systems.
The POWER RAIL top-clamping mounting system is designed with the professional PV solar installer in mind. The top-clamping rails use a single tool with a RAD Fastener for faster bolt placement. The unique shape of the RAD provides an anti-rotation feature, locking the bolt in the proper orientation when installed.
QRail and L-Mount combine seamlessly to provide a complete, fully integrated racking and mounting solution backed by a 25-year product warranty. The system features patented QClick, QSplice and Elevated Water Seal Technologies and super-fast single bolt mounting that simplify and speed up installation making every system cost-effective with unparalleled waterproofing.
RT-MINI is Roof Tech’s self-flashing mounting designed to attach to conventional rail systems. It is built to withstand wind speeds up to 180 mph and ground snow up to 70 psf. The result is a faster installation time because RT-MINI is fastened with wood screws, eliminating the need for pilot holes.
S-5! introduces a new and improved PV Kit, boasting lower installation time and cost for PV flush-mounting. The kit comes pre-assembled with MidGrab or EdgeGrab for easier installation. A single tool drives the top bolt, eliminating several installation steps. The kit is designed to save time and money.
Ultra Rail is a sleek, economical racking solution for projects in average load conditions. Ultra Rail maintains the classic SnapNrack open rail channel for running wires and is compatible with all Wire Management Solutions. Its snap-in mounts make for easy rail attachment and maximum versatility.
QuickBOLT with Microflashing gives contractors a cost-effective solution for traditional flashing mounts. Installers no longer must lift the shingles or remove nails—QuickBOLT is installed directly over the shingle. Other flashings direct water away from the penetration—QuickBOLT seals it. It drives in five seconds or less.
Introducing the patent-pending PowerMount-S, which can be used with virtually any R-Panel Roof System. The single piece design simplifies installation and reduces cost. Use the PowerMount-S with any manufacturer’s L-foot or SCI’s Universal L-Foot to attach any rail system. The SCI Kit is UL 1703 and UL 2703 listed and approved.
High strength, quick mountable SWH Flashed Lfeet solar mount attachment for composition shingle installation is competitively economical, esthetically pleasing, simple to install and designed with large rigid flashing, EPDM sealing gasket and elevated L foot to prevent warping and water intrusion. Available in silver and black finishes.
SunModo’s EZ standing seam clamps make solar PV installations on metal roofs easy. Featuring roof-safe oval end set screws, the clamp works on a variety of seam profiles. The set screw can be installed on either the vertical leg or on the 10° leg of the clamp.
Unirac announces its new lineup of residential roof attachments, including tile hooks, tile replacement and composition shingle attachments, which integrate with its SOLARMOUNT mounting system. Full integration between SOLARMOUNT and the attachment allows for seamless design and fast, easy installations and it’s backed by Unirac’s 25-year system warranty.
The aerodynamic east/west-oriented flat-roof system is part of the COMPACTFLAT product group, with up to 30% material cost savings. The rolling design of the module layout has very little uplift and therefore less ballast is needed. All systems are wind tunnel tested.
EcoFoot5D 5-Degree Racking delivers fast, simple flat-roof solutions with 18.4% more power than 10° systems and 290 kW of bases delivered on a standard pallet. With an optional Smart Attachment System, array design can be ballasted, attached or hybrid, maximizing rooftop efficiency, enabling installation on lighter weight roofs and meeting wind and seismic requirements.
Developers face ever-stiffer cost competition, price sensitivity and technical limitations in making solar projects both financeable and profitable. PV Booster’s C&I rooftop tracking technology features proprietary control algorithms and physical system design to deliver a rooftop tracker that cost-effectively maximizes solar energy capture.
The PowerGrip Universal is a roof anchor system for solar racks for all commercial roofs. PGUs reduce or eliminate ballast on the roof. PGUs are strong, offering 3,300-lbf tensile, 2,500-lbf shear, and 2,000-lbf compressive strength. They transfer the load to the structural roof deck.
The Polar Bear III HD flat roof ballasted, attached and hybrid platform has been deployed on over 500 MW of flat roof projects. PanelClaw focuses exclusively on flat roof racking to deliver the best products, service and reliability.
POWER MAX ballasted roof mounting systems feature a modular design with unique adjustable inter-row spacing, simplifying roof layouts. What’s revolutionary is the ability to design around roof obstructions with adjustable inter-row spacing while maximizing the number of PV modules on the roof, and it allows on-site adjustments by sliding the brackets.
The RS-VS Tilt application is the ideal solution for standing seam roofs. The legs that attach the rail to the roof can tilt the modules an additional 5° or 10° to help maximize energy production. Only one tool is required to completely install the mounting system.
RT-MINI is Roof Tech’s self-flashing mounting is designed to attach conventional rail systems. It is built to withstand wind speeds up to 180 mph and ground snow up to 70 psf. The result is a faster installation time because RT-MINI is fastened with wood screws, eliminating the need for pilot holes.
Sollega will be launching its new universal slide on clamp in Q1 2019. The clamp ships on the FR510 ballasted/hybrid system making it the only one-piece universal flat roof racking system on the market. Sollega’s clamp works with all framed modules and is quick and easy to install.
TerraGen’s TGR system is a premium rail-based mounting structure. It allows for efficient installations and PV design flexibility with customizable tilt-angles and row spacing. TGR can overcome building structural challenges (global loading below 2.3 psf), integrating mechanical attachments or can be installed as an elevated mount.
Unirac’s RMDT flat roof mounting system maximizes energy density with 8° dual tilt, allowing up to 33% more modules on the roof. Single tool assembly and the elimination of wind deflectors and fire skirts reduces part count and streamlines installation. Enjoy peace of mind with Unirac’s 25-year warranty.
The aerodynamic G System is part of the COMPACTGROUND product group. The system can be installed with ground screws or ballast blocks. The rolling design of the module layout has very little uplift and therefore less ballast is needed, and all systems are wind tunnel tested.
APA Ground Screws are available with APA racking or can be fitted with other ground-mount and tracker systems. The ground screws are designed to APA’s in-house engineering specs and backed by APA’s quality guarantee. Ground screws are available with standard depths of 40, 61, 73 and 85 in.
PV-ezRack SolarTerrace II-A is delivered with pre-assembled supports. It was designed with unique ramming posts which allow shorter embedment to save cost on material and labor. The patented post heads offer large adjustments in almost every direction to offset the ramming tolerance for easier installations.
DCE’s ground screw racking adapts to terrain of any soil type, and up to 20% grade. Hybridize any of DCE’s Contour foundation types—screws, driven beam or precast ballast—to overcome any topographical challenge. DCE fixed-tilt solutions are unmatched in installation ease, design simplicity and expert client service at any scale.
Do you want to save time and money on solar ground-mount installations? Do you want to take control of your installation schedule? Do you want to improve cash flow and control your accounts receivables? Do you want to drive more revenue and scale? Then start using the Osprey PowerPlatform.
POWER PEAK systems offer a cost-effective, high-strength and reliable solution for large utility-scale ground-mount applications. Featuring pre-assembled components, unique field adjustability and easy-access PV module clamps, the POWER PEAK mounting systems offer installers both labor and time savings on every project.
The adaptable GM-2 design can accommodate the high wind speeds of Hawaii, to the heavy snow loads in Vermont. The UL 2703 classified system is also designed with multiple foundation options, which can make even the most challenging soil conditions constructible.
The SFUSA Ground Mount system allows for mounting panels in four-, five- or six-high in landscape orientation and can be adapted to custom configurations. Solar Foundations’ most popular standard six-landscape design typically provides the most efficient structure at the best cost-per-watt.
The TF3 Landscape Racking system is a two-piece simple hardware design that aides in rapid installation time, expedites work schedules, saves on civil work and maximizes efficiency in the field. Yielding to table sizes up to 6 by 8, it accommodates more panels per foundation, reducing overall costs optimizing panel capacity.
GFT, an engineered system of lightweight ground mount components, is in stock and ready to ship from North America’s largest ground mount distribution network. Unirac’s unmatched support makes construction easy, while GFT’s new shared rail design delivers system and labor optimization. Enjoy peace of mind with Unirac’s 25-year warranty.
The AllEarth Gen 4 Solar Tracker is a dual-axis tracker that follows the sun using a GPS. Key features include an electrically-powered motor with incomparable efficiency, new power monitoring features and a self-powered, grid-tied system which allows it to keep following the sun even when the grid is down.
The DuraTrack HZ v3 offers a single-bolt per module clamp and flexibly linked architecture. The single-axis tracker delivers a variety of efficiencies allowing for quick installation, zero scheduled maintenance and uptime to deliver the best levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).
The Sol-X tracker design uses roll-formed components and a rigid drive unit at each post that eliminates the risk of torsional dynamic forces. Each independent table is connected by a flexible drive shaft that can follow changing terrain up to ±5% between tables and ±10% within a table.
Built tough for reliable returns, PHLEGON Single Axis Tracker is designed for extreme climates and challenging sites everywhere. Heavy-duty linear actuators using intelligent German-engineered control systems ensure production 365 days a year. The cost-effective PHLEGON uses up to 60% fewer piles, pre-fabricated components and lower fastener counts to reduce install time by 30%.
PV-ezRack EzTracker M2 provides the next-generation tracking solution via linear actuator and clutch slip devices. It can automatically track the sun based on an astronomical algorithm and closed loop control, and will ultimately increase power generation by 20%, compared to a fixed-tilt system.
The Eagle PowerTrack performance bundle includes a Jinko Eagle G2 module paired with a PV Booster rooftop tracker. It offers 30% more kWh overall and 56% more kWh during TOU rates than fixed-tilt systems for C&I rooftop. The savings allow contractors to realize more profit.
NX Horizon, NEXTracker’s smart self-powered tracker, improves reliability and design flexibility while lowering O&M costs. With 15 GW delivered and under fulfilment, NX Horizon brings self-contained motor power and control to each row and enabling advanced energy yield optimization with TrueCapture.
Now available with a self-powered option for crystalline and thin-film solar modules, Solar FlexRack’s latest tracker technology bundles an advanced tracker design with full project support services. Features include: more modules per row (up to 90), rotational range of 110° (± 55°), optimized for 1,000-V and 1,500-V modules and lower per-unit fixed costs for BOS savings.
Sunfolding re-envisioned solar trackers, making the Sunfolding T29 easier to install and smarter to operate. Using AirDrive technology and three simple components, the Sunfolding T29 enhances efficient design on any piece of land, installs two-times faster than traditional trackers and a rugged, wear-free drive system makes for long-term reliability.
The Full Cantilever T Solar Support system is designed for maximum coverage and optimal kW production, engineered in-house to contractors/owners’ specifications. It can handle live loads up to 60 psf and wind speeds up to 160 mph. Pre-fabricated, pre-galvanized bolt connections make for fast on-site installation. Baja’s Solar Support Systems compliment contractor/owner’s sustainable development goals.
SolarScapes are modular, prefabricated solar mounting structural kits. They are fully configurable to meet the project’s target dimensions or kilowatt size. Concealed junction boxes and conductors from the integrated racking system come down through the structure, which is focused on form and function.
The CP-LS canopy was designed to maximize the amount of PV that could be deployed on a given parking lot. Spanning over drive aisles, with a dual column design, this structure can support more modules per foundation than any other carport in the marketplace.
S:FLEX solar carports can be individually designed and engineered to meet all space requirements. A range of standardized designs for the fastest and most cost-effective solutions for the carports are available. Typically, columns are spaced at 27 ft on center. Solar PV Carports are designed for any wind/snow/seismic regions, with complete engineering services available.
The SFUSA Carport provides the openness of the commercial cantilever design while meeting the demands of the residential carport market. The SFUSA Carport does not require the extensive excavation and concrete work associated with commercial carports and is available in standard one- to four-parking-bay configurations (custom options available).