Photovoltaic Panels Installation: Rafter Hooks and Ceramic Tile Roof Compatibility

Hello colleagues.
I am trying to install several photovoltaic panels on a pitched roof covered with ceramic tiles. I searched the internet for tips and training videos, and with this knowledge, I went to action. And here there was a brutal clash between theory and reality. It is about mounting hooks to the roof. I will try to present it as clearly as possible: most sellers offer the so-called rafter hooks (i.e. vertical beams supporting the roof) and present the following photos.

I do not know about others, but in my case the tiles are attached to the battens. The battens are fixed perpendicularly to the rafters, which raises the entire structure by 4 cm, so the hook "will not reach" the rafters. It is impossible to fit the batten and tile thickness in 5 cm!
I'm thinking: I got the wrong hooks. But adjustable hooks also do not offer enough space in my opinion:

So it remains to install the hooks to the battens. But here it is also not pink, because the patches are located a few cm below the top edge of the tile, so mounting the hook is not possible. You probably need to tap additional battens to the rafters.
I admit that I have never grown roofing. Maybe I'm thinking something wrong, maybe I got confused with it all, but I don't really see the solution. Could someone please enlighten me, throw me some photos from the installation, share my experience?

I did a few roof installations on ceramic tiles and somehow there were no problems with the anchors, which are always attached to the rafters. It is normal for the tiles to be cut and ground at the point where the hooks are fitted so that they do not rest on the anchor.

Since the handle has a 5 cm bend, it probably is correct. The patch is 4cm high, the tile is about 1cm high, it should be OK.

What a tile is different. We have not yet had a hook fit perfectly to the patch, there were always some washers. If the battens are solid (min. 5 x 8 cm), they can be installed with the use of S-type hooks, keeping in mind the maximum distance of 100 cm between the hooks.

I used such hooks from the last photo for mounting on a flat roof.

Thanks to rhitmo89 for the photos, I think they fully reflect the real problems with the assembly.
I am probably very unlucky, because in the places of the rafters there are "waves" of the tiles, so there is a large washer for the hook or mounting to the battens.

To krzysztofh: I would like to find this 1cm thick tile, I would like ... . From the beginning, I was aware of the necessity to use a grinder, but I'm afraid there will be not much left of the tile.

Thanks for all the advice and interest in the topic. But I have to come up with something.

Alpha wrote:

Thanks to rhitmo89 for the pics, I think they fully reflect the actual assembly problems.
I am probably very unlucky, because in the places of the rafters there are "waves" of the tiles, so there is a large washer for the hook or mounting to the battens.

To krzysztofh: I would like to find this 1cm thick tile, I would like ... . From the beginning, I was aware of the necessity to use a grinder, but I'm afraid there will be not much left of the tile.

Thanks for all the advice and interest in the topic. But I have to come up with something.

How is it in life, if something has to go wrong, it will definitely fail.
You're lucky anyway, because I have Roben on my roof and he's wavy more. Your tile is almost flat, except for the lap spaces.
I am also thinking about the location of the solar panels.

If I had an atypical tile that comes out unevenly at the rafters, I would not think twice, just install additional, solid battens and then screw the hooks where I like (keeping the appropriate spacing) ...

rhitmo89 wrote:

... bearing in mind the maximum distance of 100 cm between the hooks.

It is also about this interval. I intend to attach 2 PV panels, each 26 kg each and dimensions 130x110 cm, to horizontal square aluminum profiles with a side of 4 cm, and these to two vertical C profiles. I used 4 hooks to attach this structure, is it enough? I am enclosing a construction plan (it is not exact, the panels will extend a little beyond the 2-meter aluminum profiles).

Not enough, there should be 6 hooks for every 2 modules. If the alu profile is installed horizontally, it should be supported on each rafter.

Stage one behind me - eight hooks are in place. My doubts turned out to be unnecessary - after a proper sanding of the tiles, everything starts to fit. Failed to keep the gap between the hooks and the tiles, hopefully not a big deal.
It is not a pleasant job, for this you have to overcome the initial fear of climbing the roof. Working time (I did everything myself): 14 hours.


With the rafter spacing of about 75 cm, I will be able to attach the 2-meter-long aluminum profile only in two points. But the hooks seem to hold solid.
Tomorrow I am fixing the aluminum profiles and leading the cables to the roof.

Alpha wrote:

Failed to keep the gap between the hooks and the tiles, hopefully not a big deal.

unfortunately, but it is.

if your hooks are resting on the shingles, the shingles will crack faster than you think.

In my case, pieces of a wooden list have been added to the tiles under the hooks so that the hook does not rest against the tile, which may then break.

You blew my satisfaction out of your work a bit: \. And the job was lousy.
It remains to be hoped that the tiles will last.

The panels are already hanging on the roof, their intrusion is arduous work and you have to watch out for every move. One of them, unfortunately, lost money after hitting the profile.


Tomorrow a photo of the installed panels.
To sum up, if someone is considering mounting them on the roof and does not have a crane or at least 2 people at their disposal, then seriously consider placing the panels on the ground: faster, cheaper, safer. I would probably not approach it for the second time.

Put some silicone or preferably Sikaflex ("silicone" for ships) between the hook and the tile for cushioning. Wood too, but it will rot or warp.

Alone, no way, 16 panels in 2 people on the construction scaffolding.
And every move is like a misfire.

I installed 4kW frameless glass panels on flat roofs. The easiest way was to carry it up a ladder - I held the 17 kg panel with one hand. leaning on the head.
It was more difficult to haul with a crane because it required packing in a bag and carefulness.
The most difficult thing was to carry it through the roof hatch up above the head with straight hands.

Alpha, you will install the panels, the winds will come, the structure will start working and cracks. You just sanded the tiles too little. It is known that the work is unpleasant, but if it starts to leak after some time, it will only happen.

I propose to light a grill, eat pork neck, arrange the scaffolding, to help a friend and fix it. It is really good to organize yourself, it is 1.5 hours of work with unscrewing and twisting the profiles.

And recently I had a job in the Czech Republic - 200kW for a farmer in a barn, to whom "experts" installed 90% of the hooks in a similar way. Everything to undress and clothes. A month of time 5 people.

I can't do anything else, the panels have been on the roof for several days. Intrusion and fixing of the panels (4 pcs) took about 6 hours. Doing everything all over again at the moment is beyond my strength: \.


I decided to wait for the development of events. In addition, there is also a vapor-permeable foil, so it should not be poured into the house right away.
I think it is not a matter of more polishing of the tiles - the locks are turned to zero. The only possibility to keep the distance between the hook and the tile is to use washers between the hook and the rafter to which it is screwed - as it has already been written by colleagues.
Or find other hooks.
Well, it was quite an experience. Thanks to everyone for your help.

did you install only 4 panels? ok 1kWp?
Why ?

These are Inventux panels with a power of 120W each, so I have only 480W here. There are two more waiting to be mounted on another building (it should be easier). But first, I'll put together a driver - it's the most enjoyable job - and see what will come of it.
From the beginning, I assumed that the panels would support domestic hot water heating and nothing else. I am aware of the complete unprofitability of PV installations and did not want to overinvest.
greetings

Alpha wrote:

I can't do anything else, the panels have been on the roof for several days. Intrusion and fixing of the panels (4 pcs) took about 6 hours. Doing everything all over again at the moment is beyond my strength: \.

Complaining after four pieces?
I have installed 40 pieces at home, and another 80 are waiting. One weighs 16.5 kg and is made of glass without a frame, so it's easy to break it.
Since I started editing, I stopped going to the gym.
The first few panels installed a year ago will be moved to another place anyway. With time, you get into practice and the job goes faster.

Hello,
The problem is as follows:
The hook hits the tile and the sound is transferred to the room under the roof. Can't sleep because it's a bit noisy.
The hook cannot be lifted higher because it will lift the tile
Use some rubber pads, silicone to eliminate it?
Have any ideas/suggestions?
Attached is a video showing the phenomenon

Economical assembly. Unfortunately, a ceramic roof requires more work than others and so that it does not happen as you write, the lower (and sometimes the upper) tile must be removed and the channel for the eye of the hook must be sanded. The second thing is poor rigidity of the structure if the hook (which is supposed to carry the weight) moves. This will end up with a crack at the bend or tearing out from under the height adjustment screw.

I saw a patent for a ceramic tile "plain tile" in the form of hooks, but more of a metal sheet made of 8cm wide with a small thickness. Apparently you don't need to grind .... but doesn't it create more noise?
(I'm asking because it's finally time to put something on my roof 0

The tiles were sanded so there is no error here

bubu87 wrote:

Hello,
The problem is as follows:
The hook hits the tile and the sound is transferred to the room under the roof. ]

I think there is something wrong with it, you need to check where the play came from, maybe it started on the handle, or maybe at the base of the roof mount.
The hook should be rigidly mounted.