A rooftop solar ballast system is a method of installing solar panels on a flat roof. Concrete blocks are placed in a ballasted racking system to reduce the weight of the solar array and protect the panels from weather elements such as wind and snow.

There are many benefits to using a ballast solar system instead of a traditional roof rack. Ballast systems on commercial rooftops provide:

limited to no penetration
With the minimum number of holes required to install the ballast system, the risk of possible leaks when installing the solar system is reduced. It also alleviates issues that can complicate roof warranties.

For homeowners, it's a simple trade-off. While traditional racking systems can create hundreds of penetrations that require a sealant, ballast systems typically only require some added weight on top of the structure. However, every project is different, and even ballast solar racks may need some anchors, depending on the location.

Flexible positioning
The fluid nature of ballast systems also allows them to be easily moved when required. Suppose a new tenant moves into the building and a new air conditioning unit needs to be added, or a particular section of the roof needs to be patched. Removing the panels from the clamps, removing the weights from the ballasts, and moving the shelf mounts is easy without too much fuss. This allows easy access and allows maintenance teams to make adjustments on the fly.

Install more smoothly
For solar contractors, ballasting solar panels is often faster and less expensive than installing them on traditional residential racks. Due to their uniform size and shape, these mounts are easily stackable, reducing freight costs and transport time to get them to the field. Once there, most ballast systems are ready to use as soon as they are unloaded from the pallet, requiring no pre-installation setup. This all creates a simpler experience for solar contractors and can reduce operating time.