In this year's residential installation and racking buyer's guide, we require residential roof installation and rail system suppliers to tell us exactly how one of their systems is installed, and what advantages certain roof and solar installation companies may have. This is what they have to say.
Material: Aluminum bracket, stainless steel. Number of hardware pieces: 2 Tools required: 4 Certification: Passed TAS 100 (a) Wind Driven Rain Test. Estimated installation time: 30 seconds
Installation: Apply a circle of circular composite roof sealant around the bottom of NanoMount. For the NanoMount rafter version, position the center of the rafter on the desired roof position and drill a 7/32 inch [6 mm] pilot hole. Before installing the 5/16 inch [M8] lag screw, add composite roof sealant to the hole. For the deck version: find the required roof position and install 4X self-drilling screws with sealing washers. Use rail attachment hardware (not provided) to connect the rail to NanoMount's integrated L-Foot. The torque is 15 foot pounds.
Advantages: Damage to roof tiles used to be one of the biggest challenges faced by solar installers. With NanoMount, there is no need to lift the tiles, thus shortening the installation time. This versatile mounting system includes an option directly to the deck. All materials are compatible with pitched roof tiles and flat roof coverings.
Recommendation: NanoMount is designed to handle the wind load in the roof zone 1, 2 or 3. The integrated structure of NanoMount ensures that it can withstand the heaviest snow load. NanoMount can be installed anywhere on the roof; if you need to seal the gap between shingles or smooth and uneven surfaces, please apply additional sealant on the roof.
Material: aluminum, stainless steel, butyl rubber Number of pieces: 5 Tools required: 2 Certification: UL 2703, ICC ESR 3575 Estimated installation time: Not applicable
Installation: Designed to be fixed on rafters or directly on the roof platform (minimum 7/16 OSB). A chalk line is needed to draw the location of the base. There is no need to open the seal of the asphalt shingle because it is a self-flashing system certified by the International Code Committee. It can also be installed on EPDM, TPO and metal roofs. Since mounting screws with a diameter of 5 mm are used when fixing to the rafters, there is no need for pilot holes, and RT Butyl is self-sealing, thus forming a waterproof mounting system.
Advantages: The operating temperature of the self-flashing bracket made of proprietary butyl rubber (RT Butyl) is between -40 F and 250 F, which exceeds the common sealants used for roofs. In the case of installing an asphalt roof (shingles), this method can speed up the installation time because it does not need to unlock the existing shingles seal. Because RT Apex is fixed with stainless steel wood screws, there is no need to drill pilot holes
Recommendation: Read the installation manual of the installation system and the photovoltaic module being installed. RT Apex provides the option of splicing two PV modules at the corner, but not all PV module manufacturers allow this option or provide structural values for corner installation. Three installations are allowed to master the product.
Material: stainless steel and EPDM Number of pieces: 3 Tools required: 1 Certification: UL certification, PE test Estimated installation time: <30 seconds
Installation: After finding the rafters, install QB2 by placing Microflashing on the shingles and driving the double-drive shoulder screws until the L foot is fixed. Once the L-shaped feet are fixed, the Microflashing will be compressed and sealed to penetrate.
Advantages: QB2 only requires three components, the installation time is less than 30 seconds, and the typical installation time is reduced by a third. Unlike bulky waterproof boards, Microflashing installation does not require lifting shingles or removing nails. Therefore, QB2 can be installed on various asphalt shingles, EPDM and TPO roofs where other waterproof panels cannot be installed. It can also be installed without sealant, saving installers time and money.
Advice: There are no complications in the QB2 installation process. Just find the rafters and drive the dual-drive shoulder screws until the L-shaped feet are fixed and the Microflashing is compressed.
[Button link=”https://sunmodo.com/nanomount/” bg_color=”#ffad08″ text=”dark”] Solar's fastest accessory damaged roof tiles was once one of the biggest challenges faced by solar installers . Now, the simple and economical solution is NanoMount™, SunModo's latest solar installation innovation. Learn more here. [/Button]
Material: Aluminum Number of pieces: 5 Tools required: 2 Certification: TAS-100, UL441 Estimated installation time: 40 seconds to 1 minute
Installation: Put FLASHLOC on the guide hole, there is hysteresis on the downhill side. Align the indicator mark on the side of the base with the chalk line. Pass the lag bolt and sealing washer through FLASHLOC into the pilot hole. Drive the square head bolts until the installation is firmly seated. Note: When proper torque is applied, the EPDM in the gasket will expand beyond the edge of the metal gasket. Insert the tip of the sealant provided by UNIRAC into the port. Inject until the sealant is discharged from the two vents. Continue to install the array and use the provided T-bolts to connect the rail to the mounting base.
Advantages: FLASHLOC is an integrated support for composite shingles and rolled composite roofs. It is quick to install-no need to kneel on a hot roof to install a waterproof board, no need to pry or cut shingles, no need to pull nails. Just drive the square head bolt and inject the sealant into the base. FLASHLOC's patented triple seal technology protects the roof and protects penetration through permanent pressure seals.
Recommendation: When FLASHLOC is installed in the gap between wood shingles or vertical joints, fill the gap/joint with a sealant between the mounting part and the upslope edge of the shingle layer. In addition, only UNIRAC approved sealants such as Chemlink Duralink 50 (included in the kit) or Chemlink M-1 can be used.
Material: Aluminum with stainless steel hardware Quantity: 6 Tools needed: 1 Certification: UL 2703, fire-proof UL2703/1703 certification, Class A, Class 1 and Class 2 modules; ICC-ES AC286/UL441 Estimated installation time: 3 people per day Complete 2 tasks.
Installation: Arrange and install EcoX Universal roof attachments, while a worker on the ground fixes the MLPE to the module. Install EcoX Universal Skirt along the southern edge of the South Array. Place the module in the EcoX universal fixture and coupling along the skirt. Install the clamp and coupling along the top edge of the module. Place the modules in the next row and install the clamps and couplings along the top edge of the new row. repeat.
Advantages: Eliminates the need for 20-foot rails, as well as the cost, risk and unattractiveness of the rails. It uses a 33% reduction in accessories for fixed arrays, and a 65% reduction in aluminum. The lack of reach of panel insertion is a key feature, especially on steep roofs. The components are universal, suitable for any module frame size, even if the module is replaced, it can continue to be installed. The project design is highly flexible.
Recommendation: When the installer masters the organized workflow, it only takes half the time to install EcoX Universal. The best practice is to have the ground team prepare and wire the modules with MLPE, while the roof team install accessories on the roof.
Material: Aluminum and Stainless Steel Number of Pieces: 5 Tools Required: 1 Certification: UL 2703, Class A Fire Rating Type 1, Type 2 Module, UL Certification Module, Covered Structure Engineering Report Estimated installation time: 2-3 installations per day
Installation: After marking the array according to the design scheme, Umbrella L-Feet lags behind the patented flashing rafters. The guide rail is clamped into the mounting seat with spring loading function, so that the guide rail can be easily slid and adjusted to the required position and height. Finally, the panel is placed on the rail and secured using SnapNrack's proprietary mid-end and end clamps because the wires are firmly embedded in the rail channel.
Advantages: The Ultra Rail profile creates a channel for the wire, which is not obstructed by connectors or mountings. It does not depend on the zipper. The spring-loaded bracket allows the rail to snap into place and release without tools, and slide easily before leveling and tightening. SnapNrack also does not rely on T-bolts. The roof penetration is protected by a patented cone waterproof function, which extends above the bottom of the roof attachment and is sealed under a proprietary Umbrella Lag.
Recommendation: SnapNrack provides optional wire clamps and clips that can be snapped into the rail channel to hold the wires in place. Junction boxes, MLPE accessories, and other accessories can also be used to help manage wires.
Material: Aluminum, Stainless Steel Number of Pieces: 1 Tools needed: 1 Estimated installation time: 30 seconds
Installation: After marking the array layout on the roof and installing all the brackets, you can install the rails from one side of the array so that the rails are flush with the edge of the array markings. Then at the end of the array, on the other side, align the rails flush with the external array markings on the roof. Lift the module to cut the rail, then slide the Yeti hidden end clamp into the CrossRail channel under the module. Fix the seat module in place, and then pull the Yeti Clamp back onto the lower flange of the module frame (by hand or with optional cable ties). Use a 13 mm socket to tighten the Yeti clamp to 12 foot pounds.
Advantages: Using a percussion drill on the fixture will cause over-tightening and possibly break the glass clamped in the module frame. Yeti Clamp allows internal clamping to fix the module to the rack by clamping down the inside of the module frame. The clip avoids contact with the module glass and allows more fault tolerance when tightening.
Suggestion: To keep the clip in place when tightening, you can simply push the back with one finger to prevent it from moving, or it has a clever hook that allows you to use a zipper as a belt to pull it forward and you tighten .
[Button link=”https://sunmodo.com/nanomount/” bg_color=”#ffad08″ text=”dark”] Solar's fastest accessory damaged roof tiles was once one of the biggest challenges faced by solar installers . Now, the simple and economical solution is NanoMount™, SunModo's latest solar installation innovation. Learn more here. [/Button]
There are plenty of video interviews and other content on our YouTube page. Recently we launched Power Forward! - Cooperate with BayWare to discuss higher-level industry topics and best practices/trends for operating solar business today. Our longer-running side project is The Pitch-we have awkward discussions with solar manufacturers and suppliers about their new technologies and ideas so you don't have to. We discussed everything from residential trackless deck connections and home solar financing to large-scale energy storage value stacking and utility-driven new home solar + storage microgrids. We also posted our annual project announcement there! Interviews with this year’s winners will begin in the week of November 8. Go there today and subscribe to learn about all this extra content.
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