Where should string inverters be housed on commercial rooftop solar projects?

The ideal place to house string inverters on commercial rooftop solar projects is indoors in a climate-controlled, locked room — but that’s not always feasible. When ground-level mounting options are scarce, installers often put these fragile power electronics on the rooftop alongside the array.

Should rooftop inverters be mounted horizontally?

Water is the enemy of power electronics, so mounting inverters horizontally isn’t ideal, especially in snowy climates, according to Colavito. When the snow melts, all that water endangers the sensitive equipment. He said he prefers mounting rooftop inverters with at least a bit of a slope to protect units from condensation.

Can solar inverters be installed on a roof?

PVCA repaired these rooftop inverters damaged by heat. Luke Pollinger, president of California-based solar O&M company PVCA, said he understands it’s often easier for installers to mount inverters on the roof since the equipment has increased in voltage and decreased in weight over the years.

Should a school district install a rooftop inverter?

Standard Solar has also chosen rooftop inverter mounting for several school district installations in the interest of safety. “You don’t want vandalism, you don’t want people to touch it, you don’t want anyone getting hurt. Putting it up on the roof could be a relatively safe place,” Colavito said.

Do inverters need to be hauled to the roof?

When it comes to initial installation, hauling the inverters to the roof is not typically an added stressor. They can be craned or lifted at the same time as the other equipment with a little extra planning.

Do Chint inverters fit on a roof?

Chint Power Systems created inverter accessories specifically for roof-mounted applications, including a shade cover and mounting brackets the company calls “legs.” Peter Hsiung, director of product management, said most of Chint’s customers prefer to mount inverters nearly flat on the roof for aesthetics and easy mounting.