Solar Roof Talk

Special guest Johan Alfsen - Quick Mount PV’s Director of Training - talks about the recently introduced QRail racking system and what makes it a compelling consideration for rooftop PV installations. Sue and Jeff also discuss the benefits of staggering roof attachments and how the new QDesign tool offers an industry first, allowing staggering of attachments with easy to interpret engineering documentation on point loading considerations.

Jeff and Sue discuss cutting vent pipes under PV arrays, and the new relaxed roof setbacks and pathways for PV installation.

Back from Solar Power International in Vegas, Jeff and Sue chat with guest speaker Nick Korth, product marketing manager of Renewable Energies for HellermannTyton, to discuss best practices of wire management for rooftop PV arrays. Nick is also host of the “Beyond the Planet” webinar series, which addresses topics such as how weather impacts PV systems. This week’s topics include: Edge clips vs straps (cable ties) Trunk vs PV cable mgmnt Managing large cable bundles Conduit and roof transition boxes Rail based VS Rail free Metal vs plastic Plastic cable tie life Ratings Hours exposure Codes and Standards language and requirements are modest and lacking in guidance NEC 110.12 neat and workmanship like manner, NEC 300.4 protecting conductors, and NEC 334.3 bend radius UL standards UL 2703 for racking systems, UL 1565 for wire clips, UL 62275 for wire ties Clip Retention of wires, and clip Retention on frame Looping ties through frames Birds, squirrels, and critter management

Several months ago, the U.S. solar industry learned of a worrisome new trade case that accuses foreign module manufacturers of dumping solar cells and panels on the market and requests dramatic new tariffs on all imported PV cells and modules. If successful this trade case would result in a doubling or possibly even a tripling of the cost of PV panels.

In this episode, Jeff and Sue discuss their thoughts on the Suniva trade case and compare PV panels vs PV shingles. Topics include: • PV panels vs PV shingles • Inverter Considerations • Connector problems • Tesla speculation

Jeff and Sue continue their discussion on the GTM Research report: U.S. PV Racking 2017: Landscape, Pricing and Forecasts and a comparison of rail-based vs rail-less pv mounting. Topics include: Comparison of rail-based vs rail-less pv systems Module-level electronic attachments Residential and commercial racking and mounting markets Surprise conclusions from the report

In this episode, Jeff and Sue discuss the GTM Research report: U.S. PV Racking 2017: Landscape, Pricing and Forecasts and a comparison of rail-based vs rail-less pv mounting. Topics include: Comparison of rail-based vs rail-less pv systems Module-level electronic attachments Residential and commercial racking and mounting markets Surprise conclusions from the report

Quick Mount PV is proud to present a monthly, hour-long podcast series that is a discussion of topics that matter to rooftop solar installers and others in the solar industry. Hosted by veterans of the solar industry, Jeff Spies, Sr Director of Policy & Susan Stark, NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Professional™ & Product Specialist/Technical Trainer, of Quick Mount PV. For our inaugural episode Jeff and Sue discuss their key take-aways and conclusions of the recent NABCEP CE Conference in Dallas. The sessions and panels recapped include: • Residential Roof Racking Systems – Rail vs Rail-less and Building Integrated PV Panel - WileyBurndy Solar Solutions for Grounding, Bonding & Wire Management - SEI PV with Energy Storage for Residential Applications - Rapid Shutdown Requirements and Solutions Panel - UL 2703 – PV System Bonding/ Grounding and Fire Classification Panel - Calculating Payback in a Post NEM Market Panel Subscribe to our podcast on SoundCloud, Sticher, TuneIn and iTunes!