Solar design

Solar mounting

A solar array must stay secure through weather, maintenance, and the life of the building.

Review roof or ground conditions, layout, attachments, waterproofing, wind and seismic forces, access paths, clearances, wiring, grounding, and inspection details. Coordinate structural and electrical drawings and use current manufacturer instructions and local requirements.

Solar systems →Structural systems →All lessons →

Field measurement example

Measuring a solar installation

Solar panels on a roof with a hand-held angle gauge placed on the module surface during installation. Workers are visible on the roof. — Solar construction measurement photograph from the original learning archive. Select the image to enlarge it.

The photograph shows a field worker using an angle gauge or pitch measurement tool on a rooftop solar array. Measurements help verify the roof or racking slope, panel alignment, row geometry, and installation layout.

What to document in the field

Record roof pitch, array azimuth, row spacing, edge setbacks, attachment locations, clearances, and shading conditions. Confirm measurements against approved drawings and current racking installation limits.

A single photograph does not establish the roof angle, structural capacity, waterproofing, electrical compliance, or final system performance. Use calibrated instruments, safe roof access, and current construction documents.