How To Install Roof Top Solar - DIY Tips From A Solar Installer

Project Solar DIY Solar Panel Kits Link (Grid-tied system with same/similar hardware used in video)
projectsolar.com/r?id=e7n8pt
Off-Grid Solar Kit (Comming Soon)
In this video, I’m getting on the roof for a solar panel installation and showing you my point of view. This video is intended to be an instructional video for those looking to do a DIY solar panel installation. Ill be overviewing my process for the installation of Enphase Micro inverters, Quick Bolt attachments, and Iron Ridge hardware.
Below are Amazon links to tools I currently use and recommend. I’d highly recommend using sealant, zip ties, and clips listed below.
Tape measure
amzn.to/3iVAO0f
Chalk Line
amzn.to/3HoLnC9
Chalk/crayon
amzn.to/3WuDYWf
Hamer
amzn.to/3HpCokj
Pry bar
amzn.to/3XxIchc
Caulk gun
amzn.to/3Xzp82c
** Seleant / Caulk M-1 (rubberizing sealants)
amzn.to/3R79BUT
Rail Zip ties
amzn.to/3HpukzZ
amzn.to/3H37zk8
Solar panel Wire clips
amzn.to/3ZSUSkq
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Please be careful and smart and safe!
Brandan Sirrine or individuals in this video assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Safe practices are recommended when working with solar panels, batteries, power tools, any electrical equipment, and electricity in general. Solar panel and battery systems should not be installed or serviced by anyone that is not an experienced licensed electrician. Because of factors beyond the control of Brandan Sirrine, no information contained in this video shall express or imply a warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper tools, equipment, or information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user.

[@carlodave9]

Really excellent demo! I wish other YT instructors had your sense of detail, tight editing, and smooth narration. Perfect pace!

[@alejandroruiz8617]

By far the best install video I've seen so far; simple, well explained, with nice to know tips and to the point.

[@whatsreal7365]

Great video bruh, very good content. You explained the installation process in a simple but detailed way. Nice work!!!! Keep it up. Looking forward to more off grid system tie ins. ✌️☮️🙏

[@mconejo8551]

More of these bro I’m loving step by step vids !!!

[@nichpak1]

Always great to see your videos

[@solargoat]

Thank you!

[@TheOneJacinto]

Great video! thanks for sharing your experience

[@jamesomara8036]

Its liking watching myself. Good job man

[@hartleyhubbard3827]

great - thank you for explaining the process and for showing the way! Greg (garden grove, CA usa)

[@richardflattum5178]

Thx for the video!

[@ryandetzel848]

No fluff, straight to the point, love it. Thanks. In this install did you use a Combiner inside?

[@danmcdonald726]

This is a great video

[@tommyluck19]

Man! I'm intend to start my DIY 48 panel system installation in next weeks,here in Pensacola FL. Very useful video. Appreciate it!

[@solargoat]

Thanks for watching and glad it helped. If you think of anything useful I could make a video about let me know and I’ll make one!

[@elliottmcnary633]

Very curious how this ended up going. Any tips/general difficulty level?

[@robbieadams6412]

Looking forward to the off-grid version. I have my battery backup and my panels. I just need to figure out mounting and grounding the panels.

[@jaminsandoval1791]

For this type of panel and layout you are just resting the panel on the rails and clamping the sides essentially it all depends on what your panel size is and what type of hardware you're using for the install. In terms of grounding the rails it you can use some 10 awg copper wire and a ground lug that attaches to the rail (which ideally you want to install between where the panel will rest on the rail)and goes from you top most rail down to your lowest rail and also ground the junction box like they explained on the video. Although the box may have different places to ground or require hardware to be screwed it will usually be obvious on inspection. Hope this helps

[@jaysewell3532]

Bro Well Done Video!!!!!!

[@tjmooney4181]

Awesome thanks

[@snowboardbrigade3348]

nice vid bro!

[@user-bw9xv5sz5s]

Lekker bru, interesting. Keep it up

[@beebowe]

Do you recommend using a Zinc Galvanizing coating when grounding the panels as they are mixed metals (aluminum/copper) etc. to eliminate any corrosion problems??

[@jimknapp9135]

Wish you had a link to that electrical box. I've never seen one, pretty awesome.

[@slidefiveup4897]

I miss doing solar ✊🏽

[@cancerman525]

Is the 7 to 14 for rail position from top and bottom of panel a basic rule of thumb or dependant on what panels you are using? Thanks good video.

[@brandonbenoit2600]

Come out to boston mass and do a job 4 story 45 pitches . We are a different breed of solar electricians

[@bnk28zfp]

i need hire some one like you at boston ma

[@Scoobydue420]

Simple and straight forward. Thank you.

[@solargoat]

Thanks for supporting my brand glad it helped!

[@solargoat]

Let me know if you need any other tips ill make a video

[@Scoobydue420]

@@solargoat why’d you make the fake “removal”video ? Really ruins your channel. May I suggest you remove it and stay positive and not bash what building inspectors approve and admit it was a removal for a reshingle and, crap I could go on and on about that video. It’s just bad bud…

[@user-wn1vl1dj7h]

As a roofer switching over to solar installing do you have any tips and what to expect in a day of install ?

[@ShuhDonk]

I am installing panels on the roof of my pole barn. I am curious on the proper way to run the wires/ground. The wires will go from the roof, down the side of the pole barn to the disconnect and then into conduit in the ground to my solar shed. How should I run the wires from the panels over the roof into the disconnect? Put a box in, run the wires from the panels and ground into that box then into conduit and down to the disconnect? It is a shingle roof. This will be inspected, so needs to be to code. Thanks!

[@Stonystarmilk]

Im having a hard time trying to find the rafters any tips on how to hear it better or feel it

[@ronbown3836]

I got a question when you live in a northern climate where they have snow is it important to put the solar panels against each other so that the snow doesn't build up in between the panels? I mostly talking like on a top of the panels because the sides fit really tight together.

[@ProfessionalKazak]

So in the state of Washington.. I have 8kw 20 panels connected to AP system microinverter inverter. The rails are grounded with #8 solid copper on roof. I have 2 parallel runs of 12-2 romex poking down from the roof top into attic. Going into EMT side of the house with LB. Transitioning in the LB with a splice into #12 thhn including ground. Down to a combiner box Does this seem right? I'm new to this

[@akwitny]

You should put https in front of your website link in your description. I can't click or copy it from the KZbin app, so I have to manually type it to visit.

[@jasonbreding7905]

How do you know what angle to have your panels at once installed ?

[@claireh.7605]

How far are the flashed mounts spaced?

[@NoWastedCalories]

What solar panel should I use?

[@bazookatier]

Where do the microinverters tie in at?

[@bnk28zfp]

i need part list

[@beautifulmind1892]

Idk how you don’t get hanging wire with not twisting the panel wires and zip tieing thoes

[@Ralphdogdoggy]

Where did you purchase the rails? I am having a tough time finding rails to install solar panels for myself.

[@ridemfast7625]

Ironridge is very good for us diyers. They have a design tool that layouts the dimensions of the arrays and provides a comprehensive parts list. And everything is engineered so no issues with building permits.

[@ridemfast7625]

How do you "level" the rails? I actually used a 6 ft level but the two 22 ft rail sections, top and bottom, do not look parallel to each other when looking up at them from he ground. Also, its an old house with tile roof and the roof is not nice and flat, it has high points on it. Is it more important to try and make each rail section flat and not contour with the roof. Or, make the top and bottom 22 ft rails level and parallel with each other?

[@andys1944]

Level each rail individually. Slide a level from base to base along the inside of the rail at a time and hopefully you’ll only have to make minor adjustments if there are any bellies or dips on the roof.

[@ridemfast7625]

@@andys1944 Thanks. I ended up using a string pulled from each end of total rail length.. Even then the top rail was not parallel with bottom rail. Eye balled that from the ground and made adjustments. This was suggested by others on a solar forum. After those tweeks the panels look very flat end to end, top to bottom. Even my neighbor commented how much better it looked than his expensive Sunpower install.

[@prefix808]

Woof, this does not look like easy work. Mostly came to see how you screwed into the roof shingles. Thanks.

[@tradersalt]

Would a stud finder work through the shingles ?

[@christopherworks400]

I would say not really, to many nails, a hammer would be best.

[@solargoat]

Unfortunately no! Tried a bunch and never found one. I bet there is something out there that would.

[@Scoobydue420]

Yes, a quality one from depot or Lowe’s will have a deep-scan option, works perfectly. 👍

[@groundeddutchman5852]

Did you use any rapid shutdown system?

[@steveedlund7357]

Enphase Micro Inverters have rapid shutdown built in.

[@Martinit0]

What's the problem with cables touching the roof?

[@Andysmountains]

The wind can blow the cables back and forth and over time it will cause the cable to become bare and the wires will touch. It can cause fires if the system isn’t grounded properly and if it is grounded the breakers should trip out. As a good solar installer there should never be wires touching the roof ever. It’s also easier for rodents to get to them

[@henrycarrasco3870]

2:17 "Oops! Just missed the 2x4 rafter and made a point of failure on the roof." -- Imagine trusting a contractor to make 100-300 holes right dead center on the 2x4. I'd recommend GAF Timberline Solar or Tesla Solar Roof instead; no drilling through asphalt shingles into a rafter.

[@andys1944]

still have to flash the holes from underneath before he lags in the screws next to it. Unless he makes it too far the pucks cover them good 👍

[@firstname7330]

You skipped over one of the most important pieces....showing the junction box install.

[@redeyez444]

Wow that's not sealed off. Job security for me as a roofer. That's fucked right up

[@triforcelink]

What’s not sealed off??

[@mrmrjims3865]

electricians are so expensive

[@KznnyL]

Dying is more expensive.

[@StutJoClipShow]

Damn boy that shit crooked as fuck

[@solargoat]

Ha ha never it’s the go pro

[@FlyByR10T]

Lekker bru, interesting. Keep it up

[@solargoat]

Thank you bro!