You have a balcony power plant and want to route the cables neatly through the roof? Good decision! Because loose cables on the facade not only look unsightly – they are also susceptible to weathering damage and mechanical abrasion. In this guide, we'll show you step-by-step how to route your PV cables professionally and safely through the roof tile.
Why route cables through the roof and not through the wall?
Many balcony power plant owners initially route their cables temporarily through the window or a wall penetration. This works – but it's not a good long-term solution. Routing through the roof offers clear advantages:
- Shorter cable path: The PV modules are on the roof – the direct path indoors is through the roof tile
- No drilling into the facade: You avoid thermal bridges and potential moisture damage
- Professional appearance: No visible cables on the house wall
- Better cable protection: The roof penetration protects against abrasion from wind and weather
What you need
For a neat cable routing through the roof, you need:
- A PV cable roof penetration – suitable for your number of cables (e.g., 2PV or 4PV)
- A roof tile that will be temporarily removed
- No special tools – installation is completely tool-free
Tip: The NEXCAPE® roof penetrations are specially designed for pitched roofs with tiles. The MC4 connector remains assembled – you don't have to disassemble anything.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Remove roof tile
Carefully lift the roof tile at the desired spot and push it upwards out of place. With most tile types (Frankfurter Pfanne, Biberschwanz, Doppelmuldenfalzziegel), this can be done without tools.
Step 2: Install roof penetration
Insert the roof penetration where the tile was. It is simply hooked into the battens – just like a normal roof tile. This only takes a few seconds.
Step 3: Route cables
Route your PV cables (and optionally the earthing cable) through the designated openings. The MC4 connector fits through without you having to dismantle it.
Step 4: Done!
The roof penetration is in place, the cables are protected, and everything looks professional from the outside. The entire installation takes less than 5 minutes.
Avoid common mistakes
- Do not kink cables: PV cables have a minimum bending radius. Make sure you do not lay them too tightly.
- No temporary solutions: Silicone, expanding foam, or adhesive tape on the roof are not permanent solutions and can cause moisture damage.
- Choose the correct variant: Count beforehand how many cables you need to route (2PV, 4PV, 6PV – with or without PE earthing).
For which roofs is this suitable?
The roof penetration works on pitched roofs with tile roofing. This includes the most common roof tile types such as Frankfurter Pfanne, Biberschwanz, Doppelmuldenfalzziegel, and similar.
Conclusion
Forget the window penetration – if you want to install your balcony power plant professionally, route the cables through the roof. With NEXCAPE® roof penetrations, this takes just a few minutes, without tools. Check out our solar products and start your project today!
