Solar panel installation

[soulie]

Yep. its like that in many professions.

You just cannot take chances. For example, when ADT found out I installed my own alarm system once they said its cool. They will link their radio - BUT, they have noted that it was not done by a qualified installer. Therefore should the house get broken into, and should they not get a signal, they absolve themselves of all responsibility.

Now tell <insert big insurance co here> that you were broken into, and ADT didn't come and you installed the alarm system yourself so they will not take responsibility - and see what happens...

for peace of mind .the panel should be in a cupboard SAIDSA rules.it may not be openable from inside the ceiling .if not installed like that a simple lockable box around it and voila its back in a cupboard and insurance should be happy .

 

[RonSwanson]

Hello everyone. I have two strings of 545W panels consisting of 6 each for now.

Panels are 1.1m wide and 2.2m tall roughly. One string is on an IBR roof, and the other on a tile roof.

Question is how many rail mounting brackets do I really need? Obviously the panels are expensive, but how many brackets do you realistically need to secure them?

I want to have space for a 7th panel on each string, so I figured 8 brackets each (4 top and 4 bottom rail) should be enough?

Thanks in advance

It depends on manufacturer, location, rooof pitch and type. Follow the mounting rail manufacturers' processes, plan the install accordingly. They all provide engineering guidance and planning, Schletter, Renusol and KD Solar. Some even have configurator tools. It's important to follow these especially in high wind and coastal areas.

If you prefer to live dangerously, go to China Mall and buy some poor quality galvanised U-channel brackets, the rust is free, and to speed up corrosion, ensure that they give you fastening bolts and washers made from dissimilar metals. You can get cheap roof hooks for the tile roof there too, complete with birdschit welding. It won't come off in the first three years, maybe in the 6th or seventh year when that south-easter is blowing. No need to get 25 year warranty tier-one panels then either, just grab whatever they have at China Mall, they all have extremely poor quality cheap MCA connectors which are fun to watch in the night, just like Diwali. And sommer pick up some of their PV cable too, it all goes into a galvanised pipe in any case, no need for expensive certified stuff from Germany. And then hire the cheapest-ass installer that you can find, preferably one that cuts the railings too short and then uses a hammer to pound those brackets gutter earthing straps into submission. Can you imagine this guy removing your tiles, cutting them with an angle grinder and then refitting them without any leaks?

 

[kolaval]

nah i dont mind diy to a point .after that leave it to the guys with the correct tools and experience to get the job done properly .i see so much diy thats gone south its scary , i mean im a contractor but i wouldnt fit and install a geyser its not my dept , i gladly pay for that service and yes im waiting for a plumber my Kwikhot burst yesterday ,would i remove it and fit a new one ? hell no , could i do it ? probably .

A real man would do it himself and then call the plumber to fix his **** job.

 

[Speedster]

...and warranty. IIRC something went bang on the first Deye and had to be replaced. @Speedster what was the outcome there again? Warranty replacement?

Yup. Took it through to the SunSynk guys in Randburg who fixed it all up for me.

 

[Speedster]

Yeah, was it @Speedster? I wonder what his insurance says?

I had an electrician CoC the install, so shouldn't have any issues with insurance.

 

[wingnut771]

Let's not talk Kwikot. Oye.
My R18k geyser burst and it was under warranty. They don't manufacture 300lt geysers anymore because their machine broke. It's only going to be ready again in Nov I hear. Fortunately they had stock for warranty replacements only. They sent a contractor to check it out and replace the geyser except they won't fit it (solar geyser) because I don't have an engineering certificate for the roof it's been on for the past three years... I bought the place a year ago. Their chosen contractor rocked up in a skoroskoro... One had been drinking (the one who was sent to the top of my double storey to inspect). They confirmed it was faulty and left the geyser behind... I got my own plumber to install it - but it didn't come with TP, stopcock or thermostat. They said I had to use the ones from the old geyser as that's not replaced when the tank burst... What a bunch

Viva BEE Viva!
Viva AA Viva!
Viva Transformation Viva!
Viva Decolonisation Viva!

 

[Marthinus100]

This thread turned out to be a very entertaining read. Thank you all for contributing.

I am a qualified instrumentation artisan that started from an electrical back ground and have been working for over 15 years in the field. Its not my intension to skimp on cost or to fraudulently obtain a COC, not by a long shot.

Ill get in touch with my insurance broker just in case. If they need Pr.Engineer to design the panel installation, that's doable. As I install I do have a contractor that is a qualified IE with all the necessary paperwork (Qualified electrician, N6, wireman's license and installation rules) that I ask advice. I just haven't asked him his opinion regarding panel installation as he is out of town with other projects. He does come over and oversee, so he does not have a problem to do final tests and COC.

I really didn't give it a thought about roof weight spread etc. and also not aware of the battery cables, so thanks for that input, Ill make sure that is all in spec. After everything in addition, I will get a MIE to sign off (Different person to IE).

This also makes me wonder if all the installations popping up everywhere are designed by a Pr.Engineer? I doubt the roofs get inspected before adding all that weight? Do most of these "green card installers" inform clients to clarify this requirement with their insurance? Also a lot of COC's are issued without the legal person doing the actual work, its also just overseen, so how would a DIY installation be different if everything is overseen and approved step by step?

 

[soulie]

This thread turned out to be a very entertaining read. Thank you all for contributing.

I am a qualified instrumentation artisan that started from an electrical back ground and have been working for over 15 years in the field. Its not my intension to skimp on cost or to fraudulently obtain a COC, not by a long shot.

Ill get in touch with my insurance broker just in case. If they need Pr.Engineer to design the panel installation, that's doable. As I install I do have a contractor that is a qualified IE with all the necessary paperwork (Qualified electrician, N6, wireman's license and installation rules) that I ask advice. I just haven't asked him his opinion regarding panel installation as he is out of town with other projects. He does come over and oversee, so he does not have a problem to do final tests and COC.

I really didn't give it a thought about roof weight spread etc. and also not aware of the battery cables, so thanks for that input, Ill make sure that is all in spec. After everything in addition, I will get a MIE to sign off (Different person to IE).

This also makes me wonder if all the installations popping up everywhere are designed by a Pr.Engineer? I doubt the roofs get inspected before adding all that weight? Do most of these "green card installers" inform clients to clarify this requirement with their insurance? Also a lot of COC's are issued without the legal person doing the actual work, its also just overseen, so how would a DIY installation be different if everything is overseen and approved step by step?

most arent designed and just plakked onto the roof .if i remember some insurance ask for a report if over 300kg on the roof (my neighbour has a 400 ltr and a 350 ltr geyser on the roof with evacuated tubes .roof tested i doubt it .) self install ? its all in the quality of install and the aftermath of that big storm ,so the powers try to control it to reduce claims etc .ive seen some very nice self installs and some really nasty ones from china mall equipment and builders installers .at the moment its a fine line untill all the regs are in place and all insurers are up to speed , its murky at the moment out there.

 

[soulie]

Let's not talk Kwikot. Oye.
My R18k geyser burst and it was under warranty. They don't manufacture 300lt geysers anymore because their machine broke. It's only going to be ready again in Nov I hear. Fortunately they had stock for warranty replacements only. They sent a contractor to check it out and replace the geyser except they won't fit it (solar geyser) because I don't have an engineering certificate for the roof it's been on for the past three years... I bought the place a year ago. Their chosen contractor rocked up in a skoroskoro... One had been drinking (the one who was sent to the top of my double storey to inspect). They confirmed it was faulty and left the geyser behind... I got my own plumber to install it - but it didn't come with TP, stopcock or thermostat. They said I had to use the ones from the old geyser as that's not replaced when the tank burst... What a bunch

yip if over 300kg on the roof some insurers are getting sticky now and want a report .my kwikhot just burst this week as well , painfull but rather now than july at 3am .

 

[wingnut771]

yip if over 300kg on the roof some insurers are getting sticky now and want a report .my kwikhot just burst this week as well , painfull but rather now than july at 3am .

why did it burst?

 

[soulie]

*Empty

i.imagine carrying 12 of those up onto a roof on your own , no thanks ,

 

[soulie]

why did it burst

its a geyser thing that .welded mild steel and porcelain coated ,what can go wrong .

 

[wingnut771]

its a geyser thing that .welded mild steel and porcelain coated ,what can go wrong .

what's the sacrificial anode for?

 

[RonSwanson]

what's the sacrificial anode for?

One of the greatest mysteries in the plumbing universe. It's like fight club: Those that know about it, don't speak about it. Those that don't know are blissfully unaware and accept it as normal that geysers corrode and are replaced after 5 years.

 

[soulie]

what's the sacrificial anode for?

to make extra money out of .

 

[soulie]

It depends on manufacturer, location, rooof pitch and type. Follow the mounting rail manufacturers' processes, plan the install accordingly. They all provide engineering guidance and planning, Schletter, Renusol and KD Solar. Some even have configurator tools. It's important to follow these especially in high wind and coastal areas.

If you prefer to live dangerously, go to China Mall and buy some poor quality galvanised U-channel brackets, the rust is free, and to speed up corrosion, ensure that they give you fastening bolts and washers made from dissimilar metals. You can get cheap roof hooks for the tile roof there too, complete with birdschit welding. It won't come off in the first three years, maybe in the 6th or seventh year when that south-easter is blowing. No need to get 25 year warranty tier-one panels then either, just grab whatever they have at China Mall, they all have extremely poor quality cheap MCA connectors which are fun to watch in the night, just like Diwali. And sommer pick up some of their PV cable too, it all goes into a galvanised pipe in any case, no need for expensive certified stuff from Germany. And then hire the cheapest-ass installer that you can find, preferably one that cuts the railings too short and then uses a hammer to pound those brackets gutter earthing straps into submission. Can you imagine this guy removing your tiles, cutting them with an angle grinder and then refitting them without any leaks?

i often wonder about how much thought goes into the thermal dynamics of solar panells on a hot tile roof ,ie expansion and contraction ,i mean tiles and zinc constantly move .any thoughts on that .?in video you have bolts and washers zinc holding an alu frame with glass?inside to a solid galv channel , something has to give way .

 

[RonSwanson]

i often wonder about how much thought goes into the thermal dynamics of solar panells on a hot tile roof ,ie expansion and contraction ,i mean tiles and zinc constantly move .any thoughts on that .?in video you have bolts and washers zinc holding an alu frame with glass?inside to a solid galv channel , something has to give way .

That's why the emgineers at Renusol have jobs, and they put quite a lot of effort into it. The roof of a home is by far the most expensive component, yet the way some treat it, one would think that it's the cheapest.

 

[TheChamp]

My insurance company asked me who installed the panels. I said I have the COC, and he clarified - no not the COC also which installer was it so that it can be verified that they're a registered one.

I just don't want to find out that shortcuts lead to my R300k claim going down the drain if something happens. Not that I could not do it myself if i wanted to.

We're in new territory here with so many installs in such a small time. Currently its quiet.

One good mass-hailing the size of golf balls sweeping through and the insurers are gonna be combing those claims with a fine toothed comb.

Looks like you got tripped up over nothing, next time, for your own sake so that you don't become a victim of the scam that is insurance, the guy who does the CoC for you after you have installed solar is the one who installed the solar, it doesn't matter who was on the roof laying the panels or drilling the wall to mount the inverter.

 

[neoprema]

Looks like you got tripped up over nothing, next time, for your own sake so that you don't become a victim of the scam that is insurance, the guy who does the CoC for you after you have installed solar is the one who installed the solar, it doesn't matter who was on the roof laying the panels or drilling the wall to mount the inverter.

So when it burns down, and there's an investigation and its found that something was done wrong, the guy who did the CoC is going to come forward and say "It was my fault, bill my indemnity insurance" ??

R10 000 says you'll never see the guy again. He will disappear faster than a government official at a court hearing.

 

[TheChamp]

This thread turned out to be a very entertaining read. Thank you all for contributing.

I am a qualified instrumentation artisan that started from an electrical back ground and have been working for over 15 years in the field. Its not my intension to skimp on cost or to fraudulently obtain a COC, not by a long shot.

Ill get in touch with my insurance broker just in case. If they need Pr.Engineer to design the panel installation, that's doable. As I install I do have a contractor that is a qualified IE with all the necessary paperwork (Qualified electrician, N6, wireman's license and installation rules) that I ask advice. I just haven't asked him his opinion regarding panel installation as he is out of town with other projects. He does come over and oversee, so he does not have a problem to do final tests and COC.

I really didn't give it a thought about roof weight spread etc. and also not aware of the battery cables, so thanks for that input, Ill make sure that is all in spec. After everything in addition, I will get a MIE to sign off (Different person to IE).

This also makes me wonder if all the installations popping up everywhere are designed by a Pr.Engineer? I doubt the roofs get inspected before adding all that weight? Do most of these "green card installers" inform clients to clarify this requirement with their insurance? Also a lot of COC's are issued without the legal person doing the actual work, its also just overseen, so how would a DIY installation be different if everything is overseen and approved step by step?

No they are not, the installer designs all that and installs it with his guys, then certifies it, but you would swear they were the way people are going on about you burning your house down.

In the Independent Republic a PR Engineer is required to submit the plans, don't ask me how they submit signed off plans while they were not part of the planning, and never set foot at the client's house.