{"id":1231,"date":"2026-01-13T10:17:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-right-solar-panel-roof-mounts-for-your-project\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T11:06:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T11:06:26","slug":"how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Choose the Right Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Your Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A solar project&#8217;s 25-year lifespan depends entirely on what connects it to the roof. Choosing the wrong solar panel roof mounts can lead to leaks, structural failure, and catastrophic project failure. As a solar engineer, you&#8217;re not just specifying a part; you&#8217;re guaranteeing the structural integrity and waterproofing of a client&#8217;s building for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels-1024x492.png\" alt=\"Warehouse Roof with solar panels\" class=\"wp-image-1082\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Busy engineers and project managers don&#8217;t have time for a sales pitch. You need a clear, repeatable framework for selection. Here it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Takeaway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Assess the Roof:<\/strong> Is it pitched or flat? What is the material (e.g., Colorbond, concrete tile, terracotta)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Analyse the Environment:<\/strong> What are the local wind load requirements as per <strong>AS\/NZS 1170.2<\/strong>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select System Architecture: Based on the roof and environment, choose the best roof mounting system for solar (e.g., railed, rail-less, ballasted, or hybrid).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Verify Compatibility:<\/strong> Ensure the system is compatible with your chosen module (and its clamping zones), is certified for Australian conditions, and complies with all <strong>Clean Energy Council (CEC) <\/strong>guidelines for fire setbacks and access.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide will walk you through this professional framework, step-by-step, to help you specify the right roof mounting system for any roof, every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding the Pitched vs. Flat Roof Decision First<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/roof-pitched-flat-1024x517.png\" alt=\"Comparing Pitched and Flat Roof\" class=\"wp-image-1083\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The first fork in the road is simple: is the roof pitched or flat? The engineering principles for mounting solar panels on a roof are completely different for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pitched Roofs (Residential\/Commercial):<\/strong> This is the vast majority of Australian homes and many commercial buildings. The focus is on penetrations, waterproofing (flashing), and structural attachments to the trusses or battens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flat Roofs (Commercial\/Industrial):<\/strong> Common on large warehouses, shopping centres, and office blocks. The focus is on load distribution, using ballasted solar mounting systems or tilted solar systems, and protecting the roof membrane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will break down each of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Selecting Mounts for Pitched Roofs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most common scenario for many installers, especially across Australia&#8217;s residential and commercial suburbs. The key to getting this right is matching the attachment method to the specific roof material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1 &#8211; Match the Mount to the Roof Material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Australia, we primarily deal with metal and tile. Each has a non-negotiable, correct method for attachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Metal Roofs (Colorbond, Trimdek, Kliplok)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most common roof type for both new homes and commercial sheds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Corrugated \/ Trimdek<\/strong>: These profiles require a bracket that penetrates the sheet and fixes directly into the purlin or rafter below. The bracket (like an L-bracket) uses an EPDM-backed screw to create a weatherproof seal.<strong><br><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Standing Seam (Kliplok, etc.):<\/strong> <strong>Never, ever penetrate a standing seam roof.<\/strong> Doing so voids the roof&#8217;s warranty and creates a leak path. The correct solution is a non-penetrating seam clamp(like our <a href=\"http:\/\/link\">NOVA mini kliplok clamp<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/link\">NOVA longline clamps<\/a>)&nbsp; that grips the seam, allowing you to attach rails without a single hole. They cost more, but they&#8217;re the only professional solution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tile Roofs (Terracotta &amp; Concrete)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the most complex to work on, as the tiles are brittle and are themselves a waterproofing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tile Hooks:<\/strong> This is the most common method. The installer slides the tile up, secures a stainless steel hook directly to the rafter (never just the batten), and then slides the tile back down. The hook protrudes from between the tiles.<br><br>NOVA have its own <a href=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/au\/mounting-systems\/standard-tile-roof\/\">tile roof solar mounting system<\/a> available off the shelf.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tile Replacement Mounts:<\/strong> These are essentially a metal flashing shaped exactly like a tile (e.g., a &#8220;tile-replacement&#8221; flashing) with an integrated standoff. You remove one tile and replace it with this metal unit. It&#8217;s robust and offers excellent waterproofing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stand-offs:<\/strong> This involves removing a tile, installing a dedicated stand-off with a large flashing onto the roof deck\/rafter, and then grinding the tile to fit neatly <em>around<\/em> the stand-off. It&#8217;s labour-intensive but incredibly strong and watertight.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/house-roof-solar-panels-1024x517.png\" alt=\"Gray tile roofs with Solar Panels\" class=\"wp-image-1081\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asphalt Shingle \/ Decking<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Less common in Australia, but seen on some US-style homes. The key is simple: you <strong>must<\/strong> hit the rafters with your lag bolts. Never fix just to the plywood or OSB decking. A dedicated flashing must be slid under the shingle above the penetration to maintain the roof&#8217;s water-shedding properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engineer&#8217;s Corner: Field Note on Tile Roofs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/black-roof-solar-panels-1024x517.png\" alt=\"Black roof warehouse with Solar Panels\" class=\"wp-image-1087\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In my years managing solar projects, the single biggest mistake I&#8217;ve seen is installers trying to &#8220;waterproof&#8221; a tile hook penetration with silicone or, even worse, expansion foam. <strong>This will fail.<\/strong> The foam degrades under UV, cracks, and channels water directly to your screw penetration. The only correct way is to use a proper, engineered tile hook or flashing system that relies on gravity and mechanical diversion, not a chemical seal. Also, <em>never<\/em> use an impact driver to tighten the hook&#8217;s rafter screw, you&#8217;ll crack the tile below nine times out of ten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2 &#8211; Choose Your System Architecture between Railed and Rail-Less<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve sorted your roof attachment, you choose the system that holds the panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Railed Systems:<\/strong> The traditional method. You attach rails to your roof attachments, then clamp the panels to the rails.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rail-Less Systems:<\/strong> These systems use individual mounting blocks or &#8220;pucks&#8221; that attach directly to the roof fixings. The modules then clamp directly to these blocks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a quick comparison for your project managers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Feature<\/td><td>Railed Systems<\/td><td>Rail-Less Systems<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Labour Speed<\/strong><\/td><td>Slower (requires rail assembly &amp; levelling)<\/td><td>Faster (fewer components, less levelling)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Material Cost<\/strong><\/td><td>Higher (long lengths of aluminium)<\/td><td>Lower (less material)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Flexibility<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>High.<\/strong> Can easily span uneven roof planes.<\/td><td><strong>Low.<\/strong> Relies on a perfectly flat roof plane.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Inventory<\/strong><\/td><td>More SKUs (rails, joiners, clamps)<\/td><td>Fewer SKUs to manage on the truck.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Aesthetics<\/strong><\/td><td>More visible (higher profile)<\/td><td>Sleeker, lower profile.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Grounding<\/strong><\/td><td>Simple (rails create the bond)<\/td><td>More complex (each block may need grounding).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3 &#8211; Don&#8217;t Overlook Flashing and Attachments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where you build trust and a 25-year asset. Here in Melbourne, where we can get four seasons in one day, a bad penetration <em>will<\/em> leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flashing:<\/strong> This is the <em>waterproofing<\/em> component. Its job is to mechanically divert water <em>over and around<\/em> the penetration. It&#8217;s the tile replacement, the butyl-backed L-foot, or the standing seam clamp.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Attachment:<\/strong> This is the <em>structural<\/em> component. It&#8217;s the rafter screw or the purlin bolt. Its job is to handle the wind uplift and shear loads.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/solar-panels-screw-1024x517.png\" alt=\"Tightening screws for solar panels\" class=\"wp-image-1086\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A note on &#8220;flashing-less&#8221; mounts (common on metal roofs): These systems use a thick butyl mastic pad on the L-bracket. They are fast and effective <em>if<\/em> installed perfectly. That means the surface must be 100% clean, dry, and free of dust, a big ask on a real-world roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Selecting Mounts for Flat Roofs (Commercial)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a different engineering challenge. It&#8217;s not about rafters; it&#8217;s about structural loads in kilograms per square metre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ballasted vs. Mechanically Attached Systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ballasted-mech-1024x517.png\" alt=\"Comparing ballasted and mechanically attached\" class=\"wp-image-1084\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ballasted Systems:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How they work:<\/strong> Use high-density concrete blocks to hold a &#8220;floating&#8221; array in place using gravity and friction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pros:<\/strong> No (or very few) roof penetrations. This is a massive win for building owners concerned about their roof membrane warranty. Very fast to install.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cons:<\/strong> Extremely heavy. The roof structure <em>must<\/em> be certified to handle the high distributed load (often 15-25 kg\/m\u00b2).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key factors:<\/strong> Requires a wind engineering report (often CFD analysis) and a compatible slip-sheet to protect the roof membrane (e.g., TPO, PVC).<br>NOVA is able to provide this with our engineering partner, <a href=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/au\/contact\/\">reach out to us<\/a> for more details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mechanically Attached (Penetrating) Systems:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How they work:<\/strong> The system is anchored with stand-offs directly to the building&#8217;s structural steel or purlins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pros:<\/strong> Very light system weight. It&#8217;s the only choice for high-wind-load areas (cyclonic regions) or on roofs that cannot support a ballasted load.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cons:<\/strong> Involves penetrating the roof membrane. This requires meticulous coordination with a roofer to install &#8220;boots&#8221; or flashing to ensure a long-term, warrantable seal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engineer&#8217;s Corner: Pro Tip for Flat Roofs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Always, <em>always<\/em> get a structural engineer&#8217;s report <em>before<\/em> you even quote a ballasted system. I\u2019ve seen teams get all their gear to site only to be told by the building manager that the 30-year-old C&amp;I roof can&#8217;t handle the load. That&#8217;s a costly, reputation-damaging mistake. The structural sign-off is your first and most important document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Essential Engineering &amp; Compliance Factors (The &#8220;Paperwork&#8221;)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This section moves from &#8220;what to use&#8221; to &#8220;how to <em>prove<\/em> it&#8217;s right&#8221; for Australian standards. This is non-negotiable for creating STCs and passing inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Structural Integrity: Wind &amp; Snow Loads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn&#8217;t optional; it&#8217;s a legal requirement of your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The standard you must live by is<a href=\"https:\/\/www.standards.org.au\/\"> <strong>AS\/NZS 1170.2:2021 (Structural design actions &#8211; Part 2: Wind actions)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This standard determines your <strong>Wind Region<\/strong> (e.g., Region A for most of metro Australia, Region C\/D for cyclonic areas) and your <strong>Terrain Category<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your mounting system manufacturer (e.g., Clenergy, Radiant, Sunlock, Schletter) <em>must<\/em> provide you with engineering tables or a design calculator based on these inputs. This document certifies that <em>their system<\/em>, when installed to <em>their specs<\/em> (e.g., rafter spacing, attachment points), complies with AS\/NZS 1170.2 for that specific site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigating Building Codes &amp; Fire Setbacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your installation must comply with local council rules, but the two main documents are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.standards.org.au\/\"><strong>AS\/NZS 5033:2021 (Installation of PV arrays)<\/strong><\/a>: This is the primary Australian standard for installation safety. It governs everything from DC voltage to cable management and mechanical security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au\/\"><strong>Clean Energy Council (CEC) Guidelines<\/strong><\/a>: To be eligible for STCs, you must follow the CEC&#8217;s design and installation guidelines. This includes critical <strong>fire setbacks<\/strong>, for example, the required 600mm access pathways from the apex\/ridge and gables to allow firefighter access. Your mounting layout <em>must<\/em> account for this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Module and Inverter Compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A final check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Module Clamps:<\/strong> Is the clamp (mid or end) certified for the frame height of your chosen module (e.g., 30mm, 32mm, 35mm)? Using the wrong clamp can damage the panel or create a weak fixing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MLPE &amp; Wire Management:<\/strong> How does the mounting system accommodate microinverters or optimisers (MLPEs)? Does it have integrated cable trays, clips, or channels? Leaving DC cables resting on the roof is a defect and a major failure risk. A good roof mounting system makes wire management easy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Framework for a 25-Year Asset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right solar panel roof mounts isn&#8217;t about finding the cheapest bracket. It&#8217;s a systematic engineering process that balances the roof type, environmental loads, system architecture, and code compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your framework is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Roof Type<\/strong> (Colorbond, Tile, Flat)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Environment<\/strong> (AS\/NZS 1170.2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>System<\/strong> (Railed, Ballasted, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compliance<\/strong> (AS\/NZS 5033 &amp; CEC)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The best mounting system is one that is properly engineered, installed to manufacturer specs, and backed by a warranty that gives both you and the building owner peace of mind. Never cut corners on the hardware that holds a 25-year asset in place.<br><br>If you&#8217;re stuck on a complex project, having trouble sourcing the right components for a difficult roof, or just want a second opinion, reach out to <a href=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/au\/contact\/\">our team<\/a>. We\u2019re more than happy to support<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q: Can I mix solar mounting components from different manufacturers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> No, you should never do this. A mounting system&#8217;s engineering certification (for AS\/NZS 1170.2) is based on the <em>entire system<\/em> as sold by the manufacturer. If you mix one brand&#8217;s rails with another brand&#8217;s clamps and a third brand&#8217;s L-feet, you void all warranties, and more importantly, you void the structural certification. In an audit or insurance claim, your installation would be deemed non-compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q: What&#8217;s the most common reason a mounting system fails inspection in Australia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> From my experience, the top reasons are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Improper Roof Attachments:<\/strong> Missing rafters or purlins. The pull-out strength from decking alone is almost zero and is a guaranteed failure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Incorrect Fire Setbacks:<\/strong> Failing to leave the CEC-mandated access pathways for firefighters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Poor Wire Management:<\/strong> DC cables left resting on the roof surface or in standing water, which is a breach of AS\/NZS 5033 and a major fire risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improper Flashing:<\/strong> Using silicone as the primary waterproofing method instead of a correct mechanical flashing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q: How important is the torque spec on clamps and bolts?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong> Critically important. It&#8217;s not a &#8216;good-to-have&#8217;, it&#8217;s a requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Under-torquing:<\/strong> The clamps won&#8217;t have the correct grip. In a high-wind event, this can lead to micro-vibrations, loosening, and eventual panel loss (where the panel flies off the roof).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Over-torquing:<\/strong> This is just as bad. On a mid-clamp, you can create a pressure point that cracks the solar module glass. On a bolt, you can strip the thread or snap the head. Always use a calibrated torque wrench set to the manufacturer&#8217;s exact Newton-metre (Nm) specification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A solar project&#8217;s 25-year lifespan depends entirely on what connects it to the roof. Choosing the wrong solar panel roof mounts can lead to leaks, structural failure, and catastrophic project failure. As a solar engineer, you&#8217;re not just specifying a part; you&#8217;re guaranteeing the structural integrity and waterproofing of a client&#8217;s building for decades. Busy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1232,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-guide"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Guide to Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Installers - Nova Mounting NZ<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A technical guide for solar installers on choosing the right solar panel roof mounts. Compare pitched, flat, railed &amp; rail-less systems per AS\/NZS 1170.2.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guide to Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Installers - Nova Mounting NZ\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A technical guide for solar installers on choosing the right solar panel roof mounts. Compare pitched, flat, railed &amp; rail-less systems per AS\/NZS 1170.2.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Nova Mounting NZ\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-13T10:17:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-02T11:06:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1030\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"495\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ronnie Fok\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ronnie Fok\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ronnie Fok\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/07b2785987902cecc5e8c400b3676b79\"},\"headline\":\"How To Choose the Right Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Your Project\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-13T10:17:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-02T11:06:26+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2131,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/roof-solar-panels.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Tips and Guide\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/\",\"name\":\"Guide to Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Installers - Nova Mounting NZ\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/roof-solar-panels.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-13T10:17:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-02T11:06:26+00:00\",\"description\":\"A technical guide for solar installers on choosing the right solar panel roof mounts. Compare pitched, flat, railed & rail-less systems per AS\\\/NZS 1170.2.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/roof-solar-panels.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/roof-solar-panels.png\",\"width\":1030,\"height\":495,\"caption\":\"How To Choose the Right Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Your Project\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Tips and Guide\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/tips-guide\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"The Engineer's Guide to Selecting Solar Panel Roof Mounts\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/\",\"name\":\"Nova Mounting NZ\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Nova Mounting NZ\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/Nova.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2024\\\/05\\\/Nova.png\",\"width\":165,\"height\":43,\"caption\":\"Nova Mounting NZ\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/07b2785987902cecc5e8c400b3676b79\",\"name\":\"Ronnie Fok\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-NZ\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/2ac2653f07f729d7774ef7149255baebf93e49daf8649abe40bb4d3a9d69b5cc?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/2ac2653f07f729d7774ef7149255baebf93e49daf8649abe40bb4d3a9d69b5cc?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/2ac2653f07f729d7774ef7149255baebf93e49daf8649abe40bb4d3a9d69b5cc?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ronnie Fok\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novamounting.com\\\/nz\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/thenovacomau\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Guide to Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Installers - Nova Mounting NZ","description":"A technical guide for solar installers on choosing the right solar panel roof mounts. Compare pitched, flat, railed & rail-less systems per AS\/NZS 1170.2.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Guide to Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Installers - Nova Mounting NZ","og_description":"A technical guide for solar installers on choosing the right solar panel roof mounts. Compare pitched, flat, railed & rail-less systems per AS\/NZS 1170.2.","og_url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/","og_site_name":"Nova Mounting NZ","article_published_time":"2026-01-13T10:17:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-02T11:06:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1030,"height":495,"url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Ronnie Fok","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ronnie Fok","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/"},"author":{"name":"Ronnie Fok","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/07b2785987902cecc5e8c400b3676b79"},"headline":"How To Choose the Right Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Your Project","datePublished":"2026-01-13T10:17:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-02T11:06:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/"},"wordCount":2131,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels.png","articleSection":["Tips and Guide"],"inLanguage":"en-NZ"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/","url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/","name":"Guide to Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Installers - Nova Mounting NZ","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels.png","datePublished":"2026-01-13T10:17:45+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-02T11:06:26+00:00","description":"A technical guide for solar installers on choosing the right solar panel roof mounts. Compare pitched, flat, railed & rail-less systems per AS\/NZS 1170.2.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-NZ","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-NZ","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/roof-solar-panels.png","width":1030,"height":495,"caption":"How To Choose the Right Solar Panel Roof Mounts for Your Project"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/how-to-choose-solar-panel-roof-mounts\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Tips and Guide","item":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/category\/tips-guide\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Engineer's Guide to Selecting Solar Panel Roof Mounts"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/","name":"Nova Mounting NZ","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-NZ"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#organization","name":"Nova Mounting NZ","url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-NZ","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/05\/Nova.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/05\/Nova.png","width":165,"height":43,"caption":"Nova Mounting NZ"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/#\/schema\/person\/07b2785987902cecc5e8c400b3676b79","name":"Ronnie Fok","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-NZ","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2ac2653f07f729d7774ef7149255baebf93e49daf8649abe40bb4d3a9d69b5cc?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2ac2653f07f729d7774ef7149255baebf93e49daf8649abe40bb4d3a9d69b5cc?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2ac2653f07f729d7774ef7149255baebf93e49daf8649abe40bb4d3a9d69b5cc?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ronnie Fok"},"url":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/blog\/author\/thenovacomau\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1231\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novamounting.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}