DIY Installing Solar Panels on Roof
Paper works need to be done before installing the solar system.
1. Council consent for installing solar sytems
a) For auckland area, No consent required. But Heritage-listed buildings may require resource consent and strict zones may also require consent.
b) For other areas, please consult your local city council.
2. Apply for connecting your solar system to the grid from the line company
a) For auckland area, please visit Vector website, follow their instuction to make the distributed generation application. The process time generally takes 10 business days.
b) For other areas, please visit Electricity Newworks Association to find your local line company, then follow their instructions to make the application.
c) The line company may have different processing time* and may charge the application fee*. Please check carefully before making the application.
3. Once getting the written approval from the line company, you can start the installation.
a) Under "Tools Required" describes what tools you need.
b) Under "Material Needed" describes what material you need.
c) Under "Installation" has the instruction of installing solar panels on roof.
4. Apply for an import/export meter installation from the power company
a) At the same time you can apply for an import/export meter installation from the power company once getting the written approval from the line company.
b) If you don't have an import/export meter installed, you need make a meter installation application to the power company.
c) You can visit power companies' websites for more details: Mercury Energy; Contact Energy; Trust Power; Meridian Energy; Genesis Energy; Ecotricity; P2 Power.
d) The power company generally charges around $100* for installing an import/export meter. Please check carefully before making the application.
e) If your current power company doesn't provide "buy-back distributed generation" service, you can switch to other power company that has such service.
Note: *Please contact your line company and power company for the exact amount they charge for the application and their processing time.
Tools required for the solar installation on roof
Note: *The above tools required is only a recommendation.
Materials needed for the installation
Note: *The above materials needed is only a recommendation.
A. Video for installing solar panels on shingle or metal roofs
B. Video for installing solar panels on tile roofs
C. Steps for installing solar panels on roofs
1. Layout planning
a)Generally, the layout of solar panels is vertical, rails are horizontal.
b)Please visit Wiring Solar Panels page for the cable connection between solar panels
2. Planning the area
L1: Vertical distance between roof hooks is approx. 1/2 to 3/4 of panel height
L2: Horizontal distance between roof hooks depends on the distance between rafters and on the static requirement. (Recommended L2 distance is: up to 1200mm for S tile hook; up to 600mm for L feet hook)
3. Installing roof hooks
a) S tile roof hook installation (S hook is for tile roof)
S roof hooks must be fixed to the rafter
b) L feet roof hook installation (L hook is for metal/tin roof)
L roof hooks can be fixed to the rafter or to the wooden purlin
c) Seal holes with silicone
Any holes drilled on the roof need to be sealed by silicone for waterproofing.
3. Installing rails on roof hooks
a) Install rails loosely on roof hooks (2 to 3 turns of the screw are adequate for loose installation)
b) Adjust the vertical and horizontal position by using the long hole in the hooks, and use allen key to fasten rails firmly to roof hooks.
4. Connecting two rails together
Use Rail Splice Kit to connect two rails together
5. Installing the rail grounding system
Please visit Wiring Solar Panels page for the rail grounding installation
6. Installing solar panels on rails
a) Place the first panel at the bottom row of rails
b) Slide the end clamps tightly against the panel and fasten them using the allen key
The rail should leave a space of 25-40mm.
c) Use mid clamps to fasten two panels
Slide the next panel against the previously installed panel, wiring the two panles. Please visit Wiring Solar Panels page for the cable connection between solar panels
After wiring the two panels, tighten the mid clamp* using the allen key.
d) Place other panels
Slide the next panel against the previously installed panel and tighten the mid clamp* using the allen key.
Place the last panel in the row on the rails, fasten clamp using the allen key.
*Solar panels' frames must be grounded. It can be done by adding clips to mid clamps while using mid clamps to fasten two panels. Please visit Wiring Solar Panels page for the rail grounding installation
Note: the above steps of installing solar panels on roof are only suggestions. Please refer Consumer DIY safety for your DIY safety concerns. Newnergy recommends using Newnergy certified installers. Inverter installation must be done by registered electricians.