Rooftop Systems

Rooftops are one of the most practical places to locate solar power systems, and represent a source of space with few alternative uses. Roofs can be flat or sloping, but should be largely unshaded to the south today and in the foreseeable future.

The most common rooftop solution is a ballasted one, in which the solar power equipment sits on top of the roof and is held down by its own weight, either with or without additional ballast such as river rock or cement blocks.

Other rooftop solutions include attached systems, which weigh less but normally require some roof penetrations, and elevated systems which are mounted on extensions to a building’s columns and add no weight to the actual roof itself.

Each solution has relative advantages, and the choice of which approach is best for your facility will be influenced by the age of the roof, its ability to support additional weight, any expected snow cover and whether or not you would like the system to be visible from street level.

CarbonFree Technology would be happy to work with your organization to determine which type of solution works best.