Solar Roof Installation Tips

[MXDogCrate]

@marty2112 I’d like to know too!

 

[MXDogCrate]

Powerwall guys arrived today. They mounted the inverter boxes too low and these will need to be relocated higher in order to accomodate the PWs.

They just informed us because the unit doesn’t have a scroll compressor it cannot be backed up by two PWs. Pretty sad about this.

Also, is this bubbling normal with underlayment?

 

[MXDogCrate]

No mention of the type of underlayment. My contract and design were signed back in February....

My contract was also signed in February with no mention of underlayment.

 

[wjgjr]

Powerwall guys arrived today. They mounted the inverter boxes too low and these will need to be relocated higher in order to accomodate the PWs.

They just informed us because the unit doesn’t have a scroll compressor it cannot be backed up by two PWs. Pretty sad about this.

Also, is this bubbling normal with underlayment?

Sounds like not the best day - they should have known where the PWs were going and mounted the inverters accordingly (certainly in our install, they had everything mapped out before installing all the new panels and equipment.) Sucks on the A/C, but that is the way it goes. I know you mentioned in another thread its age - if it is something you might consider replacing soon (even though it is working well now, it is older, and you can get a much more efficient one,) might be worth letting the electrician know to see if can be accommodated in the electrical work so that it would be easy to add a new A/C to the backed up loads.

That bubbling is not something I ever saw on our install. We did have the Firestone, but it was always perfectly flat.

 

[jboy210]

Powerwall guys arrived today. They mounted the inverter boxes too low and these will need to be relocated higher in order to accomodate the PWs.

They just informed us because the unit doesn’t have a scroll compressor it cannot be backed up by two PWs. Pretty sad about this.

Also, is this bubbling normal with underlayment?

No bubbling on our underlayment. The Firestone stuff is sticky and relatively thick.

 

[DagonR]

@MXDogCrate @marty2112 Here is a copy of my latest design doc from September. Page 5 has the components where the underlayment is shown. I have received several design revisions, and each included all these pages shown. I've had a look at other solar roof permit applications and a similar file with these details is included with the permit applications.

 

[DagonR]

Powerwall guys arrived today. They mounted the inverter boxes too low and these will need to be relocated higher in order to accomodate the PWs.

They just informed us because the unit doesn’t have a scroll compressor it cannot be backed up by two PWs. Pretty sad about this.

Also, is this bubbling normal with underlayment?

I'm certainly no expert, but have looked at quite a bit of underlayment photos and examples over the past week to know that that bubbling does not look right. Hopefully they smooth it out before the tiles go on.

 

[aesculus]

My Layout has this underlayment as a standard element too:

FIRESTONE UNDERLAYMENT
Clad-Gard SA FR
ASTM D226 Type I & II
Certified to ICC-ES AC188 (ESR-3979) and ASTM D1970
Class A Fire Rated per ASTM E108

 

[MXDogCrate]

@jboy210 They used the Firestone scraps to cover some of their flat work services. The Cobalt is thicker and super tacky. Not sure if that’s better.

@marty2112 Looking at your pictures, you have some bubbling as well. I have a text into my lead and he’s looking into it.

@DagonR We received the layout akin to your first page, but not the following pages.

 

[dhquigley]

The bubbling is normal. I talked with the roofer about it as they were installing and he explained why you might get some puckering but also (on the Firestone) why it did not matter given the double layer (which, in fact, is part of the reason for the puckering). If it gets too bad, they can cut it and relay it, but they prefer not to do it if they don't have to.

 

[marty2112]

Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but your garage looks great - what is the brand of your wallmount cabinets and toolchests? Hanging cabinets are plentiful, but I've been looking for wallmount drawer toolchests, which are hard to find...

Cabinets by Hayley. Mike Wright. Amazing build quality

HC Garage Series Products - Cabinets by Hayley

They are based out of Calgary. I went a little overboard on the garage....

Workbench/wall locker is not supposed to be mounted without feet, but just had to do it.

Some older pics before the PW install.

 

[marty2112]

@jboy210 They used the Firestone scraps to cover some of their flat work services. The Cobalt is thicker and super tacky. Not sure if that’s better.

@marty2112 Looking at your pictures, you have some bubbling as well. I have a text into my lead and he’s looking into it.

@DagonR We received the layout akin to your first page, but not the following pages.

Same for me. I only can see the first page via my Tesla account page.

 

[marty2112]

The bubbling is normal. I talked with the roofer about it as they were installing and he explained why you might get some puckering but also (on the Firestone) why it did not matter given the double layer (which, in fact, is part of the reason for the puckering). If it gets too bad, they can cut it and relay it, but they prefer not to do it if they don't have to.

I have both bubbling and what I call pilling. Project lead said it is normal and will not cause any issues.

 

[marty2112]

Here was the section that had a bunch of pilling. Guys are almost repelling....

If anyone is curious on the build specs of one of the tiles.

 

[MXDogCrate]

That’s some serious pitch.

 

[jboy210]

Here was the section that had a bunch of pilling. Guys are almost repelling....

If anyone is curious on the build specs of one of the tiles.

Did they have to remove some of the siding to get the roof installed?

 

[marty2112]

Day #6...

Good progress. Would say that about half way there. Super meticulous and impressed with how well the crew works together.

Love all the attention to the details. This is the most I have seen of my neighbors in months....

 

[marty2112]

Did they have to remove some of the siding to get the roof installed?

No. We are having all are windows replaced, so that is why you see the siding being compromised. They do have to remove a couple of inches to accommodate the flashing that meets the roof line.

here is the best pic.

 

[MXDogCrate]

Do these tiles look uneven to anyone?

It wouldn’t concern me as much except these are at the front of the house.

 

[aesculus]

Do these tiles look uneven to anyone?

It wouldn’t concern me as much except these are at the front of the house.

This distant pictures look fine but I agree the closeups look kind of Janky.