Solar Panels - Beware

[Uncle Gizmo]

Before you have solar panels installed, read this!

Snow load calculation

When the structural engineer do the low pitch roof stress load calculation for the snow load, what are snow height they take into account or what is the building regulations maximum snow height for their calculation? I was told 5" of snow but I'm sure it's a lot more that. Not sure if I'm...

www.diynot.com

 

[AccessBlaster]

Also if you develop issues with your roof not related to the solar panels, it becomes tricky to resolve. In the states a lot of these solar installers came out of the roofing industries. It can be a double whammy.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

At least we don't have the snow-load problem in south Louisiana.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

At least we don't have the snow-load problem in south Louisiana

I was trying to work out the snow loading when I found that website.

I can get a 5 inch RSJ or a 6 inch RSJ over a 5m stretch (5 yards for you Americans)...

My fag packet calculations tell me that the loading over the 5 m lengths will be about 3 tons, and in my head I can see a 1-ton bag hanging at each end, and one in the middle. I'm thinking I don't think a 5 inch RSJ is going to hold 1 tonne without significant distortion.

The 6 inch RSJ is £30 more ($50 more) so I reckon I might go for the 6 inch one, although it's going to be a bit of a heavy heavy sod to get up in the roof!

 

[kevlray]

One of my co-workers did not read the fine print when he go solar panels. About a year after he had them installed. The roof started leaking (not the solar company faults, sorta. They should have done a better inspection of the roof). Anyhow he had to pay a ton of money for them to take off the solar panels then have another company replace the roof then have the solar panels put back on.

 

[AccessBlaster]

Anyhow he had to pay a ton of money for them to take off the solar panels then have another company replace the roof then have the solar panels put back on.

Bingo! Just one of the pitfalls.

I would love to have them on poles in my backyard, that move with the sun.

 

[kevlray]

I do not have a big enough back yard to get away with that. Not that I need very many. I have a pretty small house. Of course it probably would violate some zoning law.

 

[Galaxiom]

Bingo! Just one of the pitfalls.

I would love to have them on poles in my backyard, that move with the sun.

With panels so cheap, it is better to invest the money on more fixed panels than trackers.

 

[AccessBlaster]

With panels so cheap, it is better to invest the money on more fixed panels than trackers.

It's the batteries needed for a good system that turns me off. Batteries make no sense if your aim is helping the planet, never mind the expense.