When you put solar panels on flat roofs (like you see on stores, factories, and some houses), it's a bit different than on slanted roofs. Since there's no natural slope, you need special stuff to hold the panels at the right angle to catch the sunlight best, keep the roof safe, and not cause any damage.

The cool thing about flat roof setups is that you can adjust the panel angles. Because the roof is flat, the mounting gear lets you tilt the panels to get more sunlight. Usually, they're tilted between 5 and 15 degrees, depending on where you live, how windy it gets, and if anything blocks the sun. This gives you the best balance between making power and keeping the panels steady.

There are mainly two ways to keep the panels on a flat roof: with weights or by screwing them down. Weight systems use heavy stuff, like concrete blocks, to keep the panels from moving without making holes in the roof. People like these because they don't mess with the roof's waterproof layer. Screw-down systems attach straight to the roof and are good if you need something that can handle really strong winds or if you don't want the system to be too heavy.

How far apart you put the rows of panels is also key. You don't want one row of panels shading the next, most during the winter when the sun is lower. Good setups keep this in mind so you get the layout that makes the sunlight and uses as much roof space as can. Companies like SIC Solar make flat roof mounts that are shaped to cut down on wind lift and keep the whole thing reliable.

What the system is made of is also pretty important. Aluminum is used a lot because it's light and doesn't rust, and stainless steel bolts help it last a long time. These materials help the system hold up in all kinds of weather, even high winds and big temperature swings.

Besides holding the panels up, flat roof mounts need to let water drain right, make it easy to get to the panels for repairs, and keep all the wires organized. Walkways and space between the rows help workers check on and fix the system safely. If you use the design and good parts, solar panels on flat roofs can make plenty of power and keep the building in good shape.