Page 22 - North American Clean Energy November December 2015

solar energy

Solar Rooing: Best Practices

by Conor Trujillo

AS THE USE OF ROOFTOP SOLAR as an energy resource increases down the road. At the beginning stages of the penetrations by only making connections where neces-
across North America, it is important for both installers
project, installers should also check for any signs of sary. Installers should approach the roof with a plan

and building owners to understand industry best practices. rotting, mold, or water damage that may compromise for where and how many mounts will be required to
Paying attention to a few key elements before and during a structural integrity.
securely hold the array. As the majority of construction
solar installation will ensure a project provides the optimal Before designing a rooftop solar system, the roof's litigation stems from water intrusion, proper water-
performance for the lifetime of the system.
orientation, pitch, and surface type must be analyzed. prooing can mean the diference between a functional

For pitched roofs, the orientation and slope are prede- solar system and one which may leak and cause dam-
Know the roof
termined, so it is simply a matter of installing at the op- age over time.
he irst consideration for rooftop solar should always be the timal position on the roof. For lat or low sloped roofs, he IBC (Section 1503.2) states ”Flashing shall be in-
condition of and warranty on the roof. Depending on several the system will require extra racking components, such stalled in such a manner so as to prevent moisture en-

factors, the useful life of a roof can range from 10 - 30 years. as standofs or tilt legs, in order to position the panels tering penetrations through the roof plane.” To avoid
Checking the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure the roof will to optimize performance. he roof surface material water from entering the roof during the lifetime of the
not need to be replaced during the lifetime of the solar system makes a diference in the type of mechanical connec- system, installers should use lashing around every
can help installers avoid costly “repair and replace” expenses
penetration point, and seal with multiple layers of
tion needed. Diferent mounting equipment is required
to install solar on sheet metal, Spanish tile, asphalt, or waterprooing. his double sealing technique requires
MAGERACK SOLAR MOUNTING SYSTEM
standing seam roofs, so it’s important to identify the lashing both the underlayment of the roof, as well as
right type of attachment method as early as possible, in using a raised sealant on the surface, to maximize the
$4.50 L-foot and Flashing
order to limit delays during on-site installation.
amount of water delected from the penetration point.
Depending on the project’s location, it is also critical
Patented unique design to factor in externally applied loads like wind and snow Make safety a priority
Absolute waterproofing to prevent compromising the building’s structural During a PV installation, safety should be of the ut-

Easiest to install integrity. For design guidelines, the American Society most concern. Falls are a leading cause of injury and
Lowest cost
of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has good resources on the death at construction sites, and are easily prevented
minimum loads of buildings and other structures.
by using a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) or with
other fall protection strategies, such as safety nets or
$6.90
Flat Tile Hook Understand the relevant codes
guardrails. Due to the nature of the equipment used,
A variety of building and electrical codes will
there is also a risk of severe electrical shock, which
Strongest tile hook
dictate do’s and don’ts for installers, including the can be avoided by wearing proper Personal Protection
Only 0.25” deflection at 356 lb uplift force
International Building Code (IBC) for waterprooing Equipment (PPE) such as footwear, insulated hard
Optional flashing
Double flashing to meet building code and roof and mounting guidelines, the National Electrical Code hats, and rubber insulated gloves.
manufacturer warranty
(NEC) for electrical interconnection requirements, and
$8.50 Flat tile hook & flashing
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Key takeaways
ire safety requirements.
Improper installation can be costly, and may reduce
$0.12/w M
Mo
ou
un
nt
ti
in
ng
g System
At the end of the day, local rules will reign supreme. value to customers and returns to developers. When
UL 2703 Listed, Fire Class ‘A’ Installers must know and comply with all local installers take the time to ensure proper system design
permitting rules which can vary greatly between and compliance with building and electrical codes, so-
Built-in integrated bonding
jurisdictions. For customers, it’s best to always use a lar can provide reliable, clean energy to customers for
No WEEB needed
As low as $0.12 per watt NABCEP certiied PV installer who understands the years with minimal maintenance. Utilizing best prac-
Including L-foot and flashing
local codes. If possible, ask for references and use an tices throughout the project design and installation of-
Strong and reliable
installer with at least three to ive years of experience.
fers the best form of insurance over the long term.
Up to 8 feet rail span

510-656-6661 [email protected] Use proper lashing techniques
Conor Trujillo is the assistant director of system design at UGE
After selecting the appropriate mounting components,
MAGERACK www.magerack.com
the irst objective is to minimize the number of roof
UGE | www.ugei.com

22 nacleanenergy.com
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015