Labeling and Mapping is Key to Avoiding Possible Problems

A typical residential installation has many individual parts that can be hectic without proper labels and mapping.  Our crews will label the the roof with panel location, comprail location, and strut location before roof penetration.  This procedure gives us definite awareness as to how and where the system will be located.  This step is important because panels are secured on comprail, comprail is attached to strut, and strut is secured on to roof bolts. 

After a drawing is done, located rafters and use a chalk line to find the center and mark them.  Use the line to space out the achors by dividing the length of array minus 6 " x 2 (use for both side of over  hang).  For example, solarworld length is 66 " with two rows, 66 x 2 + 1 1/4 " for comprail on the ends and 3" - 11/4 for the middle comprail.  I ussually add 1 inch  for the end of one side.  Also,  one piece of the strut is longer for the J-box to attach to. As you can visualize, this process is complicated and a design/map will imperitive to successful roof mounting.

Mapping the inverters for EMU communication is necessary.  Use the enphase map to located all the inverters.  Make sure the barcode is attached to the map.  This will allow the owner to verify panel and inverter production.  Also, write on the inverter the location and string.  This is a must to aviod confusion for mapping the location of panel/inverter in the array.

The picture below is an exellent example of how complicated the process can be.  The inverters are mapped and mountd on the comprail, the strut is down and secured with one a little longer for the j-box.  The panels are place with in the comprail and secured.