Installation

• 1). Pick a spot on the roof. Look for a location that receives a fair amount of sunlight. If it is a tilted roof, the panels should be put on the side that sees the most sunlight. If your roof is flat, consider somewhere you can tilt the panels towards where the sun is during the day. The location should also not be shaded by trees or taller buildings.
  
  
• 2). Locate the rafters on your roof. Rafters are beams that hold up the roof and are usually placed equal distance from each other. It is important to connect your solar panels to rafters to ensure that it is secure. A stud finder will help you locate them. Once you know where the rafters run in the spot you located, mark them so you know right where to go back to.
  
  
• 3). Mark the location of the panel mounts. Once you know where the rafters are, place the mounts in a way that will ensure you can bolt them directly onto the rafters. Make sure they are properly spaced to hold the panels. Once you know where they are going to go, use a chalk to make a line where they will run and a pencil to mark where the bolt holes in the mounts are going to go so you know where to drill.
  
  
• 4). Attach the mounts to the roof. Drill holes where you marked for the bolts to go. Then place the mounts back along the chalk lines with the bolt holes over the holes you just drilled. Once they are in place, fasten the lag bolts by screwing them in until they are flush with the tiles or shingles, but no tighter.
  
  
• 5). Connect the panels. Once the mounts are in place, place the panel over the mounts lining up the bolt holes. Screw the bolts tightly until the panel is firmly attached.
  
  
• 6). Power up. Once the panels are on, turn off your home's power and run the power cords to your home's inverter. If there is any doubt about connecting them properly, it may be best to call an electrician and ask him to perform this step.