Scaffold for a Solar PV Installation.

UPVC Solar Systems Ltd arrange to have scaffold erected by locally sourced trained specialists. Depending on the expected length of the job this will either happen before or during the morning of the first working day. The scaffold is excluded from the cost of many installation quotes, whereas with UPVC Solar Systems Ltd everything is included, except in unusual circumstances. The scafford comes right up to the eaves of the roof and ensures the safety of those working on the roof and compliance with all relevant Health and Safety codes. Ladders from the scaffold across the roof are used when the roof tiles are slippery or fragile.

Placing the Roof Anchors for a Solar PV Installation.

The measurements made on the site survey are checked and small marks are made on the roof in chalk to indicate the planned positions of the panels. The chalk washes off with the first bit of rain.

The tiles are lifted up so that the anchors are hooked to the back of the tile. The tiles are then replaced on top of the anchors so that the roof remains watertight.

No drilling or nails screwed into the rafters when working with tiled roof. It is important that the correct type of anchor is used; this would be determined during the site survey.

Mounting the Alumium Bar for a Solar PV Installation.

The aluminium bars that make up the frame are then locked into the roof hooks and screwed into place. Each bar is checked to make sure that it is straight and that all the bars are parallel to each other. This is the single most important step in ensuring that the panels will look correct. If the length of the frame is longer than the aluminium bars supplied then they are spliced together using specially designed strips of aluminium and further bolts.

PV Panel Installation.

With the bars in place, and the frame complete the panels can start to be attached and clamped to the frame. A minimum of four clamps is used per solar panel, though in some cases extra clamps are used to aid the alignment of the rows. The panels are either placed by row or by column depending upon which is the easiest in the specific situation. In the photo to the right the panels are being placed by row. In this case the top row is placed and the alignment of each row thereafter is taken from it.

Wiring for a Solar PV Installation.

Panels are wired by the manufacturer, meaning the rooftop connection is straightforward. The specific voltage, ampage and power of the system determines how the panels are connected; smaller systems have a single series to a single inverter, larger systems have several parallel series into a single inverter with the largest systems requiring multiple series into multiple inverters. Shading and panel positioning can also influence the design of the wiring.

Installing the final PV Panel.

Once the top row of solar panels is correctly clamped the rows beneath are secured to the frame in the same manner, taking their positioning from the row above. The parallel alignment to the panels above is extremely important to the aesthetics of the system. This is easy if the original frame is well placed, but difficult otherwise. UPVC Solar Systems Ltd only accept payment when you're happy with the look of the system, not just its performance.

Final Wiring of a PV Installation.

Once all the panels have been installed and the final alignment checked the DC wiring is complete are then run into the building. In some cases this is achieved by running the wire under the eaves and directly into a loft. In others, such as that pictured, a hole has to be made into the mounting building which is then sealed. This completes the rooftop section of an installation!