[RE-wrenches] Rooftop wiring methods between multiple subarrays

[William Miller]

Colleagues:

I think the correct answer is: there are no short cuts to good 
workmanship.  It requires intelligent design, a judicious selection of 
materials and careful installation.  EMT is appropriate in low corrosion 
environments, PVC if you can control UV damage and accommodate 
expansion.  There are aluminum and stainless conduits for the extreme 
environments and demanding aesthetics.  I am sorry that there are no easy 
ways to pursue quality.

It is my understanding that the European model is to "plug and pray" with 
quick connect cables, running them across roof tops and stapling them to 
exterior walls.  I don't know this for a fact, but if it is true, I hope 
that market does not drive the US market towards reduced standards.  I 
belive it is short sighted to skimp on wiring methods with dangerous power 
feeds.  I think the loss of conduit boxes on modules is a direct result of 
European installation techniques and a trend towards reducing labor 
costs.  I welcome information from those of you with experience in other 
markets to verify these hunches.

William Miller



At 04:21 PM 10/9/2009, you wrote:
>EMT needs to be "pickled"  with vinegar or acid, to get the paint to hold. 
>I love it for inland work, but near the ocean, it'll rust through in 5 
>years. I'm not sure how much more time paint would buy you.
>Anybody use other plastic materials HDPE? Supposed to not have the 
>expansion problems of PVC.
>
>
>R. Walters
><mailto:ray at solarray.com>ray at solarray.com
>Solar Engineer
>
>
>>
>>If you have to run around the roof with EMT, you can protect it from rust
>>with a coat of paint.
>>
>>Regards,
>>-Hans

Please note new e-mail address and domain:

William Miller
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600     Fax: 805-438-4607
email: william at millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985
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