Yet Another SD Install 4.5Kw LG 300's SE 5000 in La Costa CA

[hcubed]

It is interesting that a lot of the installs I see penetrate the roof. My guys penetrated my garage roof and my roofer flashed the penetration. Is this common for installs?

[Carl_NH]

It is interesting that a lot of the installs I see penetrate the roof. My guys penetrated my garage roof and my roofer flashed the penetration. Is this common for installs?

It seems to be common - here is the combiner / junction box they used on our garage roof, under the first panel on the row, and the conduit went into the knee wall space and down to the inverter.

In our installation there is no conduit visible on the roof, or inside except at the panel as they routed the conduit above the dropped ceiling then into the inverter/power panel.

[paul65k]

It seems to be common - here is the combiner / junction box they used on our garage roof, under the first panel on the row, and the conduit went into the knee wall space and down to the inverter. In our installation there is no conduit visible on the roof, or inside except at the panel as they routed the conduit above the dropped ceiling then into the inverter/power panel.

Maybe it's just me but I can't see those exposed wires holding up through the years.......while I'm not a licensed electrician I wonder how the installer was able to get this passed a local building inspector's review!

[sensij]

Maybe it's just me but I can't see those exposed wires holding up through the years.......while I'm not a licensed electrician I wonder how the installer was able to get this passed a local building inspector's review!

That is probably PV wire into a Soladeck. The insulation is designed and rated to be used as pictured.

[Carl_NH]

Maybe it's just me but I can't see those exposed wires holding up through the years.......while I'm not a licensed electrician I wonder how the installer was able to get this passed a local building inspector's review!

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These are under the panels not exposed to elements - there is a total of 18' of these wires and they are #8AWG outdoor THHN/THWN sunlight wiring rated.

We have service entrance overhead wire that lasts for 50 years or more exposed to the elements. I don't expect any wire issues however the wire ties in 15 years may be another story!

[paul65k]

That is PV wire into a Soladeck. The insulation is designed and rated to be used as pictured.

\These are under the panels not exposed to elements - there is a total of 18' of these wires and they are #8AWG outdoor THHN/THWN sunlight wiring rated.We have service entrance overhead wire that lasts for 50 years or more exposed to the elements. I don't expect any wire issues however the wire ties in 15 years may be another story!

Like I said....I'm no electrician

[sensij]

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These are under the panels not exposed to elements - there is a total of 18' of these wires and they are #8AWG outdoor THHN/THWN sunlight wiring rated.

Be careful... colored THHN/THWN is not sunlight rated. Outdoor wiring under panels that is not in conduit needs to be PV wire, or RHW-2.

[JBinCBad]

I would not expect to see any bare wiring on my roof, whether the wires are insulated or not. Conduit color-matched to tile if in an exposed area at a minimum.

As a follow-up to my scheduling annoyance, the project manager replied to my requests for an install timeline, asserting they did such a great job putting in the standoffs (took about 2 hrs), and confirming they should be done by the end of next month.

My speculation from the business perspective is that the installers try to ink as many contracts as possible, allowing them to buy more panels in greater bulk to get better prices and increase their profit margin by pooling them together. I suppose from an economic standpoint, so long as the job is done properly, I shouldn't care, but I'd suggest people look at their contract end date and shorten it considerably going into the winter season. All signs for a significant El Nino season tell me this glorious sunshine isn't going to last too much longer. . .

[J.P.M.]

I would not expect to see any bare wiring on my roof, whether the wires are insulated or not. Conduit color-matched to tile if in an exposed area at a minimum.

As a follow-up to my scheduling annoyance, the project manager replied to my requests for an install timeline, asserting they did such a great job putting in the standoffs (took about 2 hrs), and confirming they should be done by the end of next month.

My speculation from the business perspective is that the installers try to ink as many contracts as possible, allowing them to buy more panels in greater bulk to get better prices and increase their profit margin by pooling them together. I suppose from an economic standpoint, so long as the job is done properly, I shouldn't care, but I'd suggest people look at their contract end date and shorten it considerably going into the winter season. All signs for a significant El Nino season tell me this glorious sunshine isn't going to last too much longer. . .

You're in San Diego. There are sunnier places, but believe me, you are in one of the best all round climates on the face of the earth. A bad winter around here is a good summer for a lot of places. If you've ever lived in the northeast, you have an idea of what I mean.

[hcubed]

That combiner box is interesting especially with the bare wires. My big thing now is working with my installer to run conduit in an aesthetically pleasing way (match the contour of the house at whatever point) versus just going the easy path.

[sensij]

I would not expect to see any bare wiring on my roof, whether the wires are insulated or not. Conduit color-matched to tile if in an exposed area at a minimum.

It is not practical to run conduit to each and every panel. There will be bare wires on your roof, although there are different techniques to arrange them, and the point at which they go into a junction box and convert to conduit is usually determined by the installer. The bare copper ground is also standard.

You can see in my installation the junction box was mounted to the end of the rail, but there were loose wires underneath that were zip tied to the rails.

splice.jpgpenetration.jpg

[SunEagle]

It is not practical to run conduit to each and every panel. There will be bare wires on your roof, although there are different techniques to arrange them, and the point at which they go into a junction box and convert to conduit is usually determined by the installer. The bare copper ground is also standard.

You can see in my installation the junction box was mounted to the end of the rail, but there were loose wires underneath that were zip tied to the rails.

IMO if those PV rated wires are zip tied to the frames and off the roof surface, then it should be a good installation.

The only point I would make is that those zip ties be made out of stainless steel because plastic will probably fail over a period of the panel life.

[sensij]

IMO if those PV rated wires are zip tied to the frames and off the roof surface, then it should be a good installation.

The only point I would make is that those zip ties be made out of stainless steel because plastic will probably fail over a period of the panel life.

And stainless ties can have sharp edges and risk cutting into the insulation. I would personally choose uv rated ties every time, and use enough of them that a few can break without a problem.

[SunEagle]

And stainless ties can have sharp edges and risk cutting into the insulation. I would personally choose uv rated ties every time, and use enough of them that a few can break without a problem.

That would be a good solution. SS metal doesn't corrode but it is sharp and can cut.

[J.P.M.]

And stainless ties can have sharp edges and risk cutting into the insulation. I would personally choose uv rated ties every time, and use enough of them that a few can break without a problem.

FWIW: About 7-8 years ago I bought some plastic coated st. stl. "wire" - looks like about 16 ga or so and quite stiff - got it at big box for use in gardening - for holding up fruit tree branches, etc., and general use around the house. I sort of forgot about the branch support, but just checked it after reading this thread. Still going strong after 6 + yrs. in the elements w/ the plastic coating still intact/unbroken but turned mostly brown/black from weathering/UV/whatever. Something such as that may be fit for wire dressing purposes and address the concerns expressed. I forgit the price but it came in 100 ft. coils.