This is a picture of a roof hook. A roof hook is bolted into the rafters and needs to be placed between two tiles before a rail can be attached to it. The rail then supports the panels which are securely affixed to it. There’s lots of regulations in place as to what hooks and clamps we are permitted to use and where they are placed within the roof envelope. The roof hooks are a few MM thick and the tiles will rise up where the roof hooks are unless the upper tile is ‘notched’ to allow the hook to come through without lifting the upper tile. If the upper tile is raised, there is a good chance that water can travel back into the house and cause damage over the long term.
A good installer will show you how they attach roof hooks and demonstrate this as per this pic from a recent installation we completed. Make sure when you are getting quotes, the small things, like attention to detail and care to customers houses are covered.
Question every element of the installation as it what’s going on under the panels that is the most important factor with a solar system.
On bird guard, and boy are there many different types out there, needs to be securely affixed to the panel frame WITHOUT screwing through the panel frames. Screwing through the panel frames could invalidate the manufacturers warranty. Using specifically designed fixing hooks may be a little more expensive but it will ensure your solar investment remains as such. An investment.
So whilst all systems may well appear the same to the untrained eye, trust me when I say they are not.
When speaking to potential installers, ask questions about the roofs they have affixed to, ask them to demonstrate how they completed the task.
You genuinely do get what you pay for and you can’t buy experience.
And whilst we are just one small, family run business covering West Norfolk and surrounding Boroughs there are many companies that take equal care and attention with unrivalled customer service. To find your local, established and extremely experienced solar installation company, go here www.solar-power.co.uk