My 500 watt system of 5 panels will be on order soon. I have watched several install videos, almost all videos show the installer mounting the solar panel brackets by screwing into the roof. Only one made any mention of looking for trusses to screw into. My roof has 3/8" plywood sheathing. Is it necessary to find a truss or is screwing in the sheathing acceptable? Panels can be placed more precisely if you don't have to hit a roof truss.

.... I’ve read where some people have used something like Dicor or Liquid Nails between the roof & mounting brackets.....

You will be fine screwing into 3/8" ply. The usual procedure for a 3/8" ply with a rubber membrane is to use 3M 4200, Chemlink M1, or Dicor between the roof and the Z bracket, use #14-1" stainless pan head screws, glob some sealant on top of the screws, and not worry about them going anywhere.

I don't recommend Z brackets because of the difficulty of panel removal if needed. Instead use 2 pieces of aluminum angle bolted together to form a Z, easy to remove panel.

My panels are screwed into 3/8 plywood. Four+ years now with no issues.

Installing Solar | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 23, 2021
Jshupe,

Mine are aluminum angle screwed to the roof. I used just 3 screws per side. They are still in place.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2021
I agree, JS. Break in the glass would be the only reason.
n0arp
Explorer
Jan 22, 2021
Jay58 wrote:
Mine are screwed into 3/8 plywood thru a 6 inch long aluminum angle 2x2 with 5200 sealant/adhesive to glue down and seal fastener holes. Wires were attached to roof with eterna-bond tape ( no screw required)

No plans to ever remove them!
Jay58
Explorer
Jan 22, 2021
Mine are screwed into 3/8 plywood thru a 6 inch long aluminum angle 2x2 with 5200 sealant/adhesive to glue down and seal fastener holes. Wires were attached to roof with eterna-bond tape ( no screw required)
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2021
My panels are screwed into 3/8 plywood. Four+ years now with no issues.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2021
I don't recommend Z brackets because of the difficulty of panel removal if needed. Instead use 2 pieces of aluminum angle bolted together to form a Z, easy to remove panel.
n0arp
Explorer
Jan 22, 2021
You will be fine screwing into 3/8" ply. The usual procedure for a 3/8" ply with a rubber membrane is to use 3M 4200, Chemlink M1, or Dicor between the roof and the Z bracket, use #14-1" stainless pan head screws, glob some sealant on top of the screws, and not worry about them going anywhere.
_1Flyboy
Explorer
Jan 22, 2021
.... I’ve read where some people have used something like Dicor or Liquid Nails between the roof & mounting brackets.....
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2021
You'll be fine with that.

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Installing Solar

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