PV Rack on Slate Roof? [RE-wrenches]

[Steve Willey - Backwoods Solar Electric]

I was not suggesting connection to trim boards.  I had assumed that a
qualified solar installer would make good attachment to the frame of the
house, perhaps I should have taken time to specify that much.  There are
some very huge arrays installed this way at Bill Gross Solar own home in
Montana that I know of, larger than I would recommend, but they stay because
of solid welded brackets and through bolt mount to the framing of the house.

Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Welch <michael.welch at homepower.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: PV Rack on Slate Roof? [RE-wrenches]


> At 10:07 PM 12/2/1999 -0800, you wrote:
> >If the slate cannot be used as a practical mounting surface, it is often
> >possible to secure a top-of-pole mount to the edge of the roofing
framework,
> >and support the pole clear down to the ground at the bottom.  I have seen
> >some fairly large mounts like this beside the end of a building's roof,
> >bracketed to the roof as it passes the edge, and extending 4 to 6 feet
above
> >the roof.
>
> I ran just such a mount installation by the folks at Two Seas last spring.
They said, "Don't do it" as the wind loads could easily tear away the facia
boards. If you use this method, the pole mount should be free standing, that
is, able to survive without being attached to the house. That means some
serious engineering which may include guy wires just like a wind tower.
>
> If you use the facia, it will also have to be structural and engineered
for the wind loads.
>
> That said, I had heard of a company that designed slate roof attachments.
Quite awhile ago they submitted an article to Home Power, but neither
Richard or I can recall the particulars.
>
> Michael Welch
>
> ------------------------
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>
> Edward Abbey
>
> Michael Welch, michael.welch at homepower.com www.homepower.com
>       Associate Editor, Home Power magazine
>       Office Coordinator, Redwood Alliance
>       (Not HP mag's #s) 707-822-7884 fax: 707-822-3481
>
>
>
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_____________________________________________________________
Start the new year off right by referring a list to Topica. 
You'll earn $300 and your list owner friends will thank you. 
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