Top Down logistics [RE-wrenches]

Fri Jan 31 17:19:10 PST 2003

Hi All,

I've done a few top down systems now and they are great, amazingly fast.  I
recommend using MC connectors and install them on panels that don't have
them to speed up the mounting.  If you have panels with long leads (MC) then
I recommend the use of special clips.  You can get these from AEE or Energy
outfitters.  The clips allow you to keep the wires from dangling.  I route
the wires with the clips on the ground,leaving just enough to meet the next
connection, so  the roof time is very fast.

Later,
jay
Peltz Power
----- Original Message -----
From: "ASAP POWER!" <asap at podnine.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 12:38 PM
Subject: RE: Top Down logistics [RE-wrenches]

> William,
> Uni-Rac's top-down Solar Mount system is pretty darn workable IMO.  I
would
> say after looking at the tiletrac stuff at their website, Solar Mounts are
> an even faster system.
>
> I detest the dangling MC's too and they just lay there perfectly on the
> surface of the shingles, ready to catch whatever flows down the rooftop.
> Only thing I can think of is taking a safe drill up there (or at the shop)
> and drill a 1/4" hole in the side of module's frame, where the MC's are
> going to connect.  Then take some UV black wire ties that will fit through
> the hole and tighten it up such that the MC connector tucks up into the
> sidewall of the frame.  You can always throw a piece of shrink over the
> connection beforehand too.
>
> Recently, we put the long conduit runs underneath the roof and had all the
> wire runs come down through two penetrations, two J-boxes on the top of
the
> roof, collecting 3 and 2 strings.  We exited the attic through the eave
> above the inverters.  This saved a lot of ugly gray flex on the roof.
>
> As far as junction box work underneath the modules, MC's will save a lot
of
> this work but where you have to, it's the same with Uni-Rac's--just loosen
> (do not have to remove) four nuts (the bolts stay locked in the rail) and
> lift it up.  The bigger modules require two people for this and it's a
> difficult reach in most cases.
>
> By the way, does anybody know of a battery powered cordless heat gun?
>
> Peter
> ASAP POWER!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: William Miller [mailto:wrmiller at slonet.org]
> Sent: Friday, January 31, 2003 10:45 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Top Down logistics [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Graham:
>
> Thanks for the reply.  I sounds like you have not done any top down
> installations of larger frame modules yet.  I read yet again the Tile Trac
> installation instructions and they gloss over the wiring part of the job,
> so that was of no help in answering my questions.  Are any other wrenches
> out there doing top down of J-box equipped modules?  How do you wire these
> and avoid the pitfalls of conduit laying on the roofing?
>
> I have a system to install soon that will be racked on the DPW Power Rail.
> It is 24 SM110 modules shoe horned onto a roof barely large enough.  The
> bottom row will be 14 modules across and the top row will be 10.  There is
> not enough room to separate the modules into individual tilt up racks for
> back access.  I detest MC cables because I can't bring myself to have
> connections exposed to the elements and dangling from the backs of
modules.
>  I plan on using longer inter-panel conduit and jumpers.  Each next module
> will be prepared with a conduit and jumper for connecting to the following
> module.  It will be laid glass-to-glass with the previous for wiring and
> then be flipped into place for installation .  I will attach the extra
> conduit to the rail using the slot in the rail to keep the conduit off the
> tile.
>
> Series strings require the far end have a connection as well.  I don't
want
> to run a long lead through every module, so I will run PVC along the rail
> to a J-box at the end prior to installing modules.
>
> I'll let you know how it goes.  I look forwards to making this system work
> because the rail system may solve some problems, i.e. uniform module
> spacing, getting the racking to conform to rafter spacing, etc.
>
> William Miller
>
>
> At 10:01 AM 1/31/2003 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hi William,
> >
> >I still panelize SP75's in shop for flush mounted roof installs .  Heyco
> >Flex conduit between modules and ground each individual module.  For
> >ground mounts and racked up systems, with easy rear module access, I
> >like the SP140's and I still put conduit between the modules.  When I
> >need to access the rear side of flush mounted modules, it is easy to
> >undo four bolts and tilt up all four modules.  I prop them up with a
> >three foot section of 2x4 and crawl underneath.  I realize this wouldn't
> >be so easy on a steep pitch, but luckily I have not had to access the
> >back side of any modules (yet) on a steep roof.  The new Shell earthsafe
> >HV-100 systems give you the option of MC's or conduit.  I may start
> >installing SP140's on sloped roofs one module at a time with top-down
> >clamps and MC's.  I have heard that MC's installed on humid days can get
> >hot in the summer and open up a little bit. (does anyone have more info
> >on this?) I wish the PV manufacturers would make an approved grounding
> >point on the narrow end of the modules.  I believe most of the SMUD
> >installs are panelized in shop and a crane is used on each job to get
> >the panels on the roof.  If prevailing wage becomes required it is
> >cheaper to get as much work done in shop as opposed to time on the roof.
> >
> >Graham
> >
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> __________________________________________________________________
> William Miller
> Miller Power and Communications
> PO Box 50, Santa Margarita, CA 93453
> Voice :805-438-5600     Fax: 805-438-4607
> email: wrmiller at slonet.org
> http://millerpowerandcomm.com
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