Building a comprehensive Solar Panels installation guide

[sungodra]

Hi All,

I am building a site about Solar Power - I have a very important domain registered- and I'm working on two free tools that could be very useful to the solar power community.
1- A free and easy to use tool to determine how much power could be generated from a particular location in the US... I have found similar tools online, - on NREL for instance- but none of them seem to be really accurate / easy to use.
2- A comprehensive DIY installation guide for installing solar panels.

My question to everyone on this forum relates to the later:
Which are the best installation guides available online?
I have found many of them but none provided exact and complete information covering different types of roofs, etc.
For now, I have pretty much covered the instalation with Unirac or similar materials on tile or shake roofs.

I will link to this forum for users to resolve particular issues, but I am really keen on making a comprehensive, accesible and free installation guide available.

All help / comments are appreciated!

Many thanks!
Paco Irala

[lile001]

Hi All,

I am building a site about Solar Power - I have a very important domain registered- and I'm working on two free tools that could be very useful to the solar power community.
1- A free and easy to use tool to determine how much power could be generated from a particular location in the US... I have found similar tools online, - on NREL for instance- but none of them seem to be really accurate / easy to use.
2- A comprehensive DIY installation guide for installing solar panels.

My question to everyone on this forum relates to the later:
Which are the best installation guides available online?
I have found many of them but none provided exact and complete information covering different types of roofs, etc.
For now, I have pretty much covered the instalation with Unirac or similar materials on tile or shake roofs.

I will link to this forum for users to resolve particular issues, but I am really keen on making a comprehensive, accesible and free installation guide available.

All help / comments are appreciated!

Many thanks!
Paco Irala

This is one of the best guides to US National Electric Codes requirements out there. If you are in the US, it is completely applicable, other places it is going to be pretty close, but "YMMV".

https://www.irecusa.org/fileadmin/.../InspectorGuidelines-Version2.1.pdf

You could link to it, and summarize it on your page. Or even use it as a guide to writing your own.

[fromport]

This is one of the best guides to US National Electric Codes requirements out there. If you are in the US, it is completely applicable, other places it is going to be pretty close, but "YMMV".

https://www.irecusa.org/fileadmin/.../InspectorGuidelines-Version2.1.pdf

You could link to it, and summarize it on your page. Or even use it as a guide to writing your own.

The provided link didn't work when i looked at it.

Try this one instead: http://www.irecusa.org/fileadmin/use...Version2.1.pdf

Much more interesting info on that website.
Thanks for sharing!

[Jason]

thanks for the correction fromport

[sungodra]

Building a comprehensive Solar Panels installation guide

Thanks for the information everyone!!

That .pdf is indeed helpful.

However I was looking for information on roof installing base structure and this pdf covers only the electrical installation.

If there is not a good guide online, I have the following specific questions:

1- Regardless of the roof material, support always has to be installed on top of ther rafters. Right?

2- Flushed in panels are only recommended if the tilt of the roof is the same or close as the recommended roof tilt for the corresponding latitude??
In this case, these seem a good approach http://www.clicksys-beam.com/. Could anyone point alternative brands and types of mounting?

3- If the roof has spanish tiles, corresponding tiles on securing spots should be removed. ??
In this case if the panels are flushed in with the aboves system or with L-feet, Which is the best approach to add height to the base in order to get a good distance between the roof and panels?
If the installation is tilted, then you can directly attach THIS KIND of standoffs ??

4- If the roof is made of wood or composite shingles and you need tilted installation: THIS KIND of support is recommended in combination with aluminum standoffs. It is placed half-under the shingles.

5- Which method would you recommend for measuring a roof tilt? I have read about inclinometers. Is there another effective method?

Sorry to bring up so many questions, this is all for now...

Thanks for reading!!

[russ]

@sungroda - Are you sure you want to be writing about PV installations? You seem to be missing the basics on building things.

Usually one writes such things based on personal experience.

[sungodra]

@russ
It seems then that no one with personal experience on installing solar panels has made a good job on making an online free guide.

I honestly have moderate experience in general building an DIY and Im starting to learn on PV

Which basic things I am missing about building things?
Most of the questions I made on the previous msg where just to confirm, get tips, etc.

Well, I hope you or anyone can help me making this guide.

[Chris @ EcoFasten Solar]

DISCLAIMER: I work for a company that makes roof mounting products for the solar industry, and for this reason I am biased.
1. Yes, always fasten in to a structural member.
2. The Unirac ClickSys is a great solution for flush mounting, but they are not the only game in town. In fact, I think this might be where your proposed guide becomes incredibly complicated, as there are so many different companies making roof mounting hardware. You should look at the following companies:
DPW Solar
Schletter
Schuco
Pro Solar
ZEP
Jac Rack
Thompson / TTI
Zilla Rack
PV Quickmount
3. Spanish Tiles are notoriously difficult, and I will start by saying that I do not recommend that they are tackled by a do-it-yourselfer.
Pro Solar makes Tile Trac, and we have an option. Both have pros and cons.
Both are relatively labor intensive and whats more, no two roofs are alike.
One option that I have seen a fair amount of is reroofing the area where the array is to be mounted with asphalt shingles, and using shingle flashings on that roof area. While I have been told this can work well, it is up to the roofer to do it correctly. There are many ways to do this incorrectly and have leaks.
4. Technically, yes. Personally I don't like Oatey boots, see disclaimer
5. If you have an Iphone, there is an app called TiltMeter Pro for $0.99

I don't want to discourage you, but I do foresee some hurdles. To be comprehensive you would have to cover all of the racking brands and roof types, and just thinking about it makes me want to start smoking again.
Best of luck!

[Sunking]

Sungorda sounds like you are in over your head and trying to re-invent the wheel so to speak. This is why most cities and communities require solar systems to be installed by professional licensed contractors via permit and inspection process. Most require a PE Structural and Electrical engineers to design and sign off on the building plans. This puts the liability off the home owner and city and puts it on the engineer who signs off the design. So in the event there is a failure that causes your roof to cave in or a electrical fire your home owners insurance policy and engineers who signed off foot the bill for repairs and damages.

Otherwise if you DIY it, and something goes wrong, you are fully liable for all damages and fees. So if a neighbor house burns down in addition to yours you get the bill. And God Forbid a Fireman or Rescue personel gets hurt with a DIY system, you will be held for negligent homicide and civil liability to the survivors.

So you can sure bet if the DIY guy uses your guide and gets hurt, he will come looking for you. You would be defenseless. So be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

[sungodra]

@Chris
Thanks for the information! Really useful and honest!

Yes, It is indeed a challenging task. The combinations between roof types and manufacturers are enormous.

But my idea is to start with the top brands and the ones with similar characteristics and then expand it gradually.

Also, the guide would work as a comprehensive DIY reference but also as a general guide to anyone interested in learning on the installation process.

I'm also trying to get some info directly from the manufacturing companies, since links to their products would be on the guide, and as I mentioned before this will be on a very important domain. I Have some replies from some companies already.
If the company you work on is interested, please let me know.

Many thanks again!!

@Sunking
Risks are inherent to DIY projects.
Recently I built a DIY valvular pre-amp and since it didn't have the proper electrical insulation I burnt my notebook motherboard and much worse couldve happened.
I did not go look the guy who put the schemes online to get my money back because I knew I was accepting the risk from the beggining.

Of course there will be a warning saying that you should have experience in both construction and electrical installations and warning about risks and recommending calling a contractor if you are not really sure.

But since contractors prices can get really high I think it will be nice for DIYers to have a comprehensive guide.

[Sunking]

But since contractors prices can get really high I think it will be nice for DIYers to have a comprehensive guide.

Well if this is for a Grid Tied system, like I said in most places you have to apply for a building Permit and pass inspections. Very little chance a DIY can do it. In most locations it would be illegal to do so.

[sungodra]

Well if this is for a Grid Tied system, like I said in most places you have to apply for a building Permit and pass inspections. Very little chance a DIY can do it. In most locations it would be illegal to do so.

Yes, one should apply for a building permit and pass inspections.

As for the the electrical installation, it will not be covered extensivenly in the guide. DIY part will be mostly for roof mounting.

Anyway, there is a good inspector guide for the electrical installation on the posts above that could be also usefull if someone decides to make the installation on its own.

[Mike90250]

Even in Los Angeles, I had to have engineered drawings of the roof loads, turned into the bldg department, for permit approval. This places a DIY PV install a step above changing the faucet handles on your sink. Areas with heavy snow or wind loads will likely have stringent requirements, since the snow collapsed so many firehouse roofs in Va.

Your project goal is admirable, but you may be safer making a guide on "How I installed" as so many areas are developing cross-purpose regulations. (3 foot walkways around and between each pane for firefighter access)

[sungodra]

Your project goal is admirable, but you may be safer making a guide on "How I installed" as so many areas are developing cross-purpose regulations. (3 foot walkways around and between each pane for firefighter access)

Thanks for the reply.

I think we all know this kind of installation is a complex process unlike common house maintenance tasks.

Let's suppose Im qualified to do it. Who should I contact to learn about the current regulations on my particular area?

Thanks!

[Sunking]

If you were qualified and licensed you would refer to the building and electrical code books and any amendments for your area through the local code enforcement agency.