Solar Panel Installation - Should you DIY? (Rails, Roof Hooks, Panels, etc.)

[@timcat1004]

Where I live I staggered the contact points at the trusses. This distributes the snow load across all the trusses. I had do double every second rail with the flashing kits. That way every end has support for my high winds. my system is 10 years old now.

[@GrantBurton]

Thats great to hear your system has lasted 10 years already... well done on your install, clearly it's doing it job well. Luckily we don't get snow where we live, only high winds on occasion.

[@timcat1004]

@@GrantBurton In two or three more days my gauge will show that I generated 100 MWh or 100 million Watt hours lol.

[@adityabaradia3675]

Wow 🔥 very nice installation 🔥

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Aditya, thanks very much.

[@dominikrak72]

Good job, thanks

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks very much.

[@tonyfrewin4822]

Nice job

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks very much

[@CURZONDAVID]

I’m literally starting from zero and researching how to install into a roof exactly like yours. I’m happy with sourcing the brackets like yours here, and the tile being cut out etc, good clearance … yada yada. The spacing between the mounts.. is that always down to the PV panel sizes ?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, do you mean the spacing between the mounting brackets? Usually the type of rail being used will have a specification for the recommended / maximum spacing between mounts. Or do you mean the spacing between rails? Each Brand and size of solar panel should have a specification for the max / min spacing between rails, max overhang, etc. depending on factors like orientation, mounting structure, wind loading, snow loading, etc.

[@CURZONDAVID]

Most kind. That’s great

[@gregorysheares6514]

Hi Grant, nice video on the whole process, can I ask you what mounting kit you used and where you bought from.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Gregory, thanks very much. I used Photon 3 slot mounting rails and clamps, and the roof hooks are K2 Systems Vario 2. You should be able to get them from most solar supply stores.

[@christosathanasiou6265]

Thanks

[@GrantBurton]

You're welcome 👍

[@cianb2]

You went to a lot of effort to put all the conduit in place but your last red cable is sitting directly on the roof tile. You can buy panel clips to keep the wires off the tiles and attached to the panel frame

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Cian, thanks for the tip, I'll look into sorting that out.

[@RichardSteigmann]

Good job. But the rivets are not necessary from my point of view 😊

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Richard, thanks very much 😊 For the small additional cost and very little extra effort of putting the rivets in, I thought it would be worth having the extra strength across the joint.

[@coffee_gaming]

I don't know enough however a voice in my head is shouting to add sealant and perhaps expanding foam to prevent a leak when it rains.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, thanks for the comment. I don't think it will be a problem where the mounting points are underneath the panels as the only way for water to get in would be if it's pushed back by driving rain and wind... and they are pretty well protected under the panels. As time goes by, I'll monitor the mounting points that aren't underneath the panels and if there are leaks, address them... however I think this is the generally accepted method of installation + the K2 systems mounting videos also show it done this way so let's hope it will be good.

[@bailey125]

Might be worth putting some bird protection on them

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks for the suggestion… I’ll keep an eye on it and it if becomes a problem over time, will have a look at a possible solution.

[@amishlalla]

How are you going to clean those panels?

[@GrantBurton]

Probably just wash them off using a hose pipe and clean water... maybe also use a soft bristle broom if needed.

[@hein_mcleod]

A bit of dirt on the panels is really not an issue. If you have a 50kW array then it makes sense to clean them for the 0.5 to 1% gain.

[@GrantBurton]

@@hein_mcleod I might inspect them once every 6 months or so… give them a rinse if needed but not expecting them to get super dirty around here.

[@houcineamaidi499]

good job i can give you advice or not

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks very much. Yeah, go ahead and share what advice you know so we can all learn 👍

[@solar_grid]

Where is video of your battery ??

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Franck, I don't have any video of my battery as it is from a time long before I had any thoughts of making these solar related videos, but if I build a new battery, I'll probably make a video of that. Andy from the Off-Grid Garage channel (@OffGridGarageAustralia) has some nice battery build videos if you are looking for something right now.

[@solar_grid]

@@GrantBurton What brand of battery do you have?

[@familyoffourdisneydreaming6081]

You have to ground the rails in SA? You are a strange bunch of blokes

[@GrantBurton]

Haha, yes.