[RE-wrenches] getting PV modules up to the roof

[Phil Forest]

Benn, 
We have many different methods to get panels up to a roof, depending on the situation. I agree, mechanical lifts take a lot of time and resources to use, for typical residential installs. 
Getting panels up to a residential roof quickly, easily and safely is my biggest roof install challenge.
Thanks for sharing your positive appraisal of that mod lift from Homepower. I almost made one. I've only heard good things about it. However, I went a different route, and made a backpack to carry modules up a ladder, any ladder, instead.
When the backpacker gets to the eave of the roof, someone else that's on the roof removes it from the backpack. The primary benefits are that it fits in a van easily, 1 minute set up, the backpacker has two hands free to climb the ladder, and after the module is removed from the pack at the roof eave, the backpacker has the option to continue onto the roof to assist in the module installation if needed (good when it's only a 2 man crew and a steep roof). 
No problems with wind, yet, but we only install mods in calm or light winds. 
See "solar pack 100" thread that I posted, for past discussion. 
I made a short video of it in use, but it's too much data to post here, let me know off thread and I can send it to you, if interested. 
But it sounds like you have a good method already. 

Phil Forest

> On Jun 6, 2016, at 4:22 PM, Benn Kilburn <benn at skyfireenergy.com> wrote:
> 
> I'm still using the same mod lift for the past 6-8 years, with very minor modifications. I used the design that was in HomePower years ago. I switched out strut for pieces of our module rack/rail to make it lighter. 
> Keep in mind that specific design only works with a fiberglass ladder with a particular design top on it.  We have an office in a neighbor city that built one a bit different that works on top of a typical aluminum ladder.
> 
> From hoist set-up, mods up, to packed up, i'd challenge anyone with one of the mechanical module lifts to keep up on a two story roof install.  One guy can have ours set up in under 5min and you can have mods on the roof in under a minute each, round trip (walking from the van/trailer to the lift with a module, hoisting it, lowering the lift and back to get another module).  Its safe, fast and KISS.
> 
> No doubt that one of the mechanical ones would be nice for much larger jobs. And i like that some have articulating sections that can flatten out to run parallel with some roofs. But i've seen how much room they take up.  You need an empty van or trailer just to move the pieces themselves.
> 
> Benn Kilburn 
> CSA Certified Solar Photovoltaic Systems Electrician, SkyFire Energy Inc
> 6706 – 82 Ave NW | Edmonton, AB | T6B 0E7
> P: 780-474-8992 | F: 888-405-5843 | www.skyfireenergy.com
>     
> 
> 
>> On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 4:26 PM, Dana Brandt <dana at ecotechenergy.com> wrote:
>> Hi Wrenches,
>> 
>> I'm curious if anyone has updates to this thread 3 years later. What are people using to lift modules to the roof? 
>> 
>> I've been looking at ladder hoists online and wondering how well they'd work in practice. Any experience or advice?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Dana
>> 
>> Dana Brandt
>> Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
>> www.ecotechenergy.com
>> dana at ecotechenergy.com
>> 360.318.7646
>> 
>>> On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:44 AM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Wrenches,
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> I imagine that all of us working in rooftop PV have put some good hard thought on the best way to get the modules up to the roof. There are various lifts on the market, you can hoist them with ropes manually, or walk them up a ladder (sling them over your back). I find that the majority of our competition in the Bay Area walks panels up the ladder for residential projects. What is your feeling about OSHA compliance of doing this?
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> August
>>> 
>>> 415.559.1525
>>> 
>>> 
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