Solar install turning out really bad - looking for some help/advice please.

[russ]

In Charlotte, NC I was in line at the hardware store checkout. An old guy in front of me was buying a carpenters square - said he had been building houses for 30 years and this was the first square he had ever bought.

Another guy in line asked if he had maybe built a house on the corner of xx and xx - he said there isn't a square corner in the entire house.

[russ]

Back in the 70's a steel fitter foreman I worked with had bought a new tape - he was busy fixing the sliding end solidly in position - complained that every tape he ever bought had this defect. He looked a bit silly when someone explained the inside - outside function.

[silversaver]

My neighbor says the only things level on his house are the rain gutters.

That is the only thing you don't want to be level....

[inetdog]

That is the only thing you don't want to be level....

Better level than running in the wrong direction!

[HX_Guy]

I thought the underlayment was the primary waterproofing on a tile roof. The tiles do provide some water protection but mainly protection of the underlayment against other elements like sun, wind etc.

I don't know if "primary" is the right word of "most important". Normally I would think that very little water should make it's way under the tiles anyway which is why I think there is a top flashing on the tiles in additional to the flashing on the underlayment. With the hold in the tile, a whole lot of water would make it's way under the tiles and while the tar paper underlayment wouldn't let it leak through, it's probably best to keep it as dry as possible if you want it to last.

The finished product will look like this, thought I will probably paint the flashing to match the roof tiles.

[HX_Guy]

Put in another 3 or so hours in today, wasn't going to work on it but I got a good 9 hours of sleep and felt motivated.

Got all the roof cementing and reinforcing fabric done for all 100 standoffs. Next step will be to measure and cut the tiles on Friday and then do a second coat of roof cement before placing the tiles back in place. Should be done with all that on Friday and be able to start with the racking on Saturday. :woot:

[Ian S]

Well at least the weather is cooperating! Hope your family is taking this better than a few on this forum.

[HX_Guy]

Yep weather has been pretty ideal and it looks likes like all sun for at least the next 10 days!
And my wife is on board, she definitely wants it done right so we dont have any issues down the road.

[sdold]

That's an unusual pattern, are there some really long spans with no mounts?

[HX_Guy]

That's an unusual pattern, are there some really long spans with no mounts?

No not really. Most spans are either 48" or 72", I have one that is 96" because I couldn't avoid it due to a vent but that's the only really long span.

This is the layout:

[sdold]

No not really. Most spans are either 48" or 72", I have one that is 96" because I couldn't avoid it due to a vent but that's the only really long span.

As long as the AHJ is OK with the design I guess it's OK. I assume you're aware that the system was (supposedly) designed to withstand certain wind loads and that you might catch hell if it's not built as-designed, depending on the inspector.

[HX_Guy]

As long as the AHJ is OK with the design I guess it's OK. I assume you're aware that the system was (supposedly) designed to withstand certain wind loads and that you might catch hell if it's not built as-designed, depending on the inspector.

This is the layout that was designed and approved by the city, it's the original layout.

The way the installer did it did not follow the design...the layout was generally the same I guess but he had the panels in portrait instead of landscape.


Basically he was going to install them like this, even though this isn't the layout we agreed on or approved on the permit. It did use A LOT less racking and mounts though, so of course we know why he did it.

[silversaver]

If the original installer were out, I'm wondering how he claims the Fed incentive. Parts only? Self install has no real value of labor....

[foo1bar]

If the original installer were out, I'm wondering how he claims the Fed incentive. Parts only? Self install has no real value of labor....

How?
Same as everyone else. I believe it's Form 5695 that you file along with your 1040.

I think your question really is "what will he claim?"
And just like everyone else I believe it would be whatever expenses were needed for solar (parts, labor, fees, etc - basically whatever you paid someone else for)

I'm doing my own solar install, and I'm planning to put on the form a sum that includes all parts and materials purchased, labor for items I hire done, permit fees, rental fees for things I had to rent (mini-excavator), etc.

Sure there's nothing there for your own labor - but then you don't put anything on there for your own labor when you hire an installer either and are spending time supervising their work. And it's not an expense since it's not an outlay of $ to any entity.

[foo1bar]

I assume this is the 96" span?
Is it 96" and not 97" or more?

What racking are you using? Is 96" span OK in their installation manual?
And what is that vent you're spannng? Is that a bathroom vent? Attic vent?

Do the plans submitted show a 96" span?
Also FWIW, even if the plans do show that span, if it's not up to code the inspector has every right (and obligation) to not sign off.
Just because something gets past plan inspection doesn't mean it's OK to do. (but if you point out anything that is questionable, and get their opinion, most likely the same person will keep the same opinion come permit sign-off time)