Ideas on how to get these panels on the roof?

[pvdude]

Looking for ideas on how to get 8 - 40lb panels from the ground to the roof safely,
without damage to people or equipment.


I have started installing the SnapnRack rails on the shed roof.

My daughter can help me on her day off, so two people will be available.

Thinking about some kind of ramp & rope to pull one up at a time.

It is currently impossible to rent any kind of machine to lift them, so much construction in this area, rental companies are always empty.

 

[pollenface]

pull one up at a time with a hook on a rope, let it slide up the ladder with guidance from your daughter. maybe you can have the rope hang over the other side and someone can hold it while you secure the panel to the rail ...

 

[400bird]

There are quite a few posts (none that I can find) about building a sled/elevator to slide the panels up the ladder.

Here's the pro version. The posts I'm thinking of used 2*4s

Post in thread 'Lifting Panels to the roof' https://diysolarforum.com/threads/lifting-panels-to-the-roof.25693/post-334567

 

[pvdude]

Ok, ramp building it is!

 

[timselectric]

I carried 13 up a ladder by myself, today.
My 55 year old back, doesn't recommend it. lol

 

[pvdude]

I'm 72, so am taking the route that will keep me mostly out of harm's way!

 

[MrM1]

I made a cradle out of rope. But I had a 30 yr old son-in-law pull them up

 

[pvdude]

First mounting rail completed today!
I have had to work on it a little each day, it is over 100°f on the roof during mid-day, too much for me.

 

[timselectric]

No rush, the sun will still be there when you finish.
Be safe

 

[The Dish Doc]

If you have an extension ladder that works great. I pushed mine up the ladder in front of me as I climbed. The ladder has plastic hooks that keep the sections together. I hung/set the panel there and held it with my knees while I clipped in with my safety harness. Then I clipped a safety line onto the panel in case I dropped it, and hoisted it onto the mount. Its 14 feet in the air. The further from vertical the ladder is, the easier it becomes. This type ladder will work very well for a roof because you can extend the top of the ladder up past the roofline making it easier to lay the panel onto the roof (I generally work alone) or to hand them to your helper. My ladder is tied to the pole BTW so when I clip in it's pretty safe. I try to tie all my ladders off when working off the top
I see you are a HAM radio operator. The harness I use is actually my tower climbing harness lol. 73s de KD4ALD

 

[The Dish Doc]

I carried 13 up a ladder by myself, today.
My 55 year old back, doesn't recommend it. lol

I'm 59, I feel your pain brother. It frustrates me, not being able to do the work I used to be able to do.

 

[timselectric]

I'm 59, I feel your pain brother. It frustrates me, not being able to do the work I used to be able to do.

Same here. But, I can usually think my way through anything. Because of the experience I have gained.

 

[WYtreasure]

I've used the sled/ramp method in the past for roofing shingles, not too steep, extra long. My 60 sumpin year old back didn't mind a bit. Toss the rope off to the side as you pull it up, it's much less suspenseful that way.

 

[pvdude]

Progress on the shed roof PV project!
Made a ramp of 2- 21’ pieces of pipe.
Wife tied ropes to the panel, I pulled it up on the roof mounting rails, great!
Only 7 more to go, but it is starting to rain, so another day.
Hope for better weather later in the week, it was 89°f here today.

 

[timselectric]

Great progress. Sometimes figuring out the plan, is half of the work.

 

[WYtreasure]

Sheesh, why didn't I think to use pipe? ?
I bet those slid up there like a hot knife thru butter.

 

[OzSolar]

Progress on the shed roof PV project!
Made a ramp of 2- 21’ pieces of pipe.
Wife tied ropes to the panel, I pulled it up on the roof mounting rails, great!
Only 7 more to go, but it is starting to rain, so another day.
Hope for better weather later in the week, it was 89°f here today.



View attachment 86937

Nice work getting them up there safely!

I really hate to mention this. You're likely over the max cantilever on the the bottom of that module. The long term issue is that it will flex too much in the wind and ultimately put micro cracks in the cells and shorten the life of your modules. Ask me how I know.....

One way to fix it is to run the rails vertically but since you're already there you can use a clamp like this to secure it to the module below it and really stiffen things up. https://www.solaris-shop.com/quick-mount-pv-qmqr-cp33-2-b-24-bronze-clamp/ Another way to fix it is to slide the bottom S-5 clamp down since that appears to be a style that is not relying on being screwed directly into structural members below the roof.

At the end of the day it might not be something to stress too much about but since this is a common issue that is not talked about I just wanted to try to help others out in the future if they happen to see this thread.

 

[WYtreasure]

Nice work getting them up there safely!

I really hate to mention this. You're likely over the max cantilever on the the bottom of that module. The long term issue is that it will flex too much in the wind and ultimately put micro cracks in the cells and shorten the life of your modules. Ask me how I know.....

One way to fix it is to run the rails vertically but since you're already there you can use a clamp like this to secure it to the module below it and really stiffen things up. https://www.solaris-shop.com/quick-mount-pv-qmqr-cp33-2-b-24-bronze-clamp/ Another way to fix it is to slide the bottom S-5 clamp down since that appears to be a style that is not relying on being screwed directly into structural members below the roof.

At the end of the day it might not be something to stress too much about but since this is a common issue that is not talked about I just wanted to try to help others out in the future if they happen to see this thread.

Nice call there OzSolar.
It appears the rails are spaced so the panels could go on 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. That may help a bit, but they will catch more wind coming over the peak of the roof.

 

[pvdude]

I was not sure about the rail spacing, so I just measured the ground mount and used the same dimensions. Hope it will be OK!
My phone is currently flashing some warning about: “Tornado Watch”, possibly the aerodynamics of the panel mount will be tested soon………

 

[timselectric]

Hopefully, everything will be fine.