By Ali Turner, Content Writer, S-5!
The total cost of installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on a roof varies depending on system design and engineering, solar panels, the inverter, monitoring equipment, logistics, mounting hardware and labor. Additional costs, such as permits and inspections, also contribute to the overall price.
Aggregated hardware costs relative to the entire system may only account for 5-7% of the final cost, but they should be carefully considered as they also affect labor, freight, equipment and other logistics costs in the overall analysis. The larger perspective is that if you can reduce time spent on the job by 20% or more, then 20% more jobs can be completed. This increases revenue similarly and leads to a boost in profit.
You may be wondering how you can cut costs and save time on your projects. One way is to use a rail-less attachment solution for every metal roof project. Over the years, rail-less mounting methods for metal roofs have become increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why.
Advantages of Rail-Less Systems
Rail-less systems are much lighter than traditional railed systems, which helps lower your racking cost. A high-quality, properly engineered rail-less mounting system can weigh 85% less than most railed alternatives. Given an 85% savings in mounting hardware weight and much lower freight transport, the carbon footprint and environmental impact of a project are greatly reduced.
When installing PV panels, this type of weight reduction can be critical to staying within budget and within the allowable added collateral load limits of the building structure. Rail-less solutions can reduce shipping and transportation costs by up to 60%, while also minimizing the need for equipment to load, unload and stage materials at the jobsite.
Rail-less solutions come preassembled, involving only three components rather than 10 or more for railed systems, so there are fewer parts to manage from start to finish. Plus, once installers get the hang of the “lay-and-play” method, a module installation takes only about 90 seconds each.
PVKIT® Rail-Less Solar Mount
The S-5! PVKIT solution is a rail-less, DirectAttach™ solar mount for standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs. Using the roof’s integrated “rails” makes solar mounting with the PVKIT quick and efficient. This method also reduces the weight of the mounting system and provides 25% better load distribution, utilizing fewer components.
Rail-less installations use a metal roof’s integrated “rails”
The PVKIT is compatible with all S-5! clamps and can be used with almost any S-5! attachment bracket. This cost-effective, lightweight alternative to traditional rail-based mounting can save time and money on your next project.
PVKIT
With a total system weight much lower than that of a railed system, a rail-less system offers significant savings in transportation costs. In fact, components for a 50 kW system are compact enough to fit in the trunk of your car.
Don’t believe us? Check out this video of an entire 50 kW system’s worth of hardgoods inside a passenger car.
Rail-less installations require much less space than railed systems
Once the S-5! PVKIT arrives at the jobsite, it is easy to handle, as DirectAttach components are regularly carried up to the roof in a backpack or bucket. Both large- and small-scale operations benefit from the labor and transportation savings that come with choosing a rail-less attachment solution.
Ideas To Hold Onto
Solar PV systems are a major source of energy generation and can greatly improve the value of your property. There are various cost-saving methods to consider, such as selecting a rail-less attachment solution, which can lower the overall project cost.
See how much you can save on your next metal roofing solar project by visiting our Metal Roof Project Calculator or send us a message at support@s-5.com.
Enroll in S-5 University to better understand which solar, snow or utility mounting solution you should be using.
About S-5!
Founded by a veteran metal roof expert, S-5! has been the leading authority on metal roof attachment solutions since 1992. S-5!’s zero-penetration clamps and lifetime brackets attach ancillary items to standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs respectively, while maintaining roof integrity and warranties. Made in the U.S.A., S-5! solutions are engineered for a variety of roof-mounted applications and are now installed on more than 2.5 million metal roofs worldwide, including 9 GW of solar, providing strength and longevity never before seen. For more information, visit www.s-5.com.
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