Correct Placement Of A Solar Attic Fan

A solar powered attic fan doesn't require electricity or a switch in order to function -- it will continuously rotate the blades of its fan as long as there is sunlight hitting the solar panel. Correct placement of a solar powered attic fan is no different than that of a conventional fan powered by electricity. Ensure that the solar powered attic fan's placement on the roof does not violate any of the necessary requirements so that it can properly vent air from inside the house.

Solar Panel Placement

Go to the roof. Place the solar powered attic fan on the roof in the location that you plan to install it in. Monitor how the light of the sun falls on the fan's solar panel over the course of an average day when the sky is not overcast. Note whether shadows fall over the solar panel over the course of a day and, if they do, for how long. Review your findings at the end of the day to see whether the solar powered attic fan can be installed where it is now placed, or if it should be moved to another location.

Rafter Position

Go into the attic. Measure six inches from the peak of the roof, across the rafter that is at your right. Drill a hole between the rafters at this measurement using a portable drill with a 8-inch drill bit. A hole cut out in the roof surrounding this hole will now allow for correct placement of the solar attic fan.

Attic Contents

Place a mark between two rafters that is a half-foot away from the attic ceiling's peak. Measure the distance from this mark to any objects that are in the attic, for example, air conditioning or heating ducts, a fireplace chimney or stored items. Gauge whether a different placement for the fan will allow more open space between it and the objects -- allowing more air to flow freely for venting.

Replacing Vent

Look for a gable wall-mounted vent that is on one of the walls of the attic. Measure the dimensions of the grill on the front of the solar powered fan. Measure the dimensions of the vent. Compare the two to see if the cavity that will result after removing the vent will be big enough to accommodate the fan's grill. Go outside to the side of the house where the vent is located. Clock the amount of light over the course of a day that hits the vent, in order to see if enough light will strike the solar attic fan and so power the motor's blades effectively.

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