Measuring your roof for solar panels is only one of the many things done at a pre-installation inspection.
One of the services Florida Solar Design Group provides is to perform a technical site inspection between the time you sign a contract to install solar panels and the installation itself. The decision to install solar panels can be overwhelming to some clients. Solar panels are a relatively large investment, and and investment that you will likely make only once every couple of decades. There are so many things to consider. Where are the solar panels going to be installed? What other hardware, plumbing, and electrical apparatus will be mounted to my home? Will the installers need access inside? Are there any technical issues that were overlooked at the initial site visit?
While your solar consultant is highly skilled at identifying a suitable system that meets your stated needs and desires, a second set of eyes with a technical emphasis helps ensure that you get exactly what you need and the job goes smoothly when the installation team arrives. There often isn’t adequate time or focus during the sales process to address the technical side of solar panel installations. The pre-installation technical inspection is the key that ensures everything works as intended and gets done efficiently.
You can expect the following at your pre-installation solar panel inspection:
Solar Pool Heating Systems
- Roof measurements will be taken to ensure fit and identify any roof obstructions that exist. Modifications to the proposed layout will be discussed, if needed.
- Any visible roof damage will be documented with photographs, including broken tiles and worn or torn shingles.
- Pool equipment will be inspected for proper operations. A well operating pool is a prerequisite to solar pool heat installation.
- Routing of plumbing will be confirmed/determined.
- System pressures will be checked. Excessive pressure and low flow can cause poor solar pool heating performance.
- Your pool filter condition will be checked. Often we find that pool filter cartridges are neglected, requiring cleaning or replacement, which is part of good pool maintenance practice.
- Air suction leaks will be documented, and if possible, corrected. Corrective action will be discussed if necessary.
- Shading or future shading potential will be evaluated.
- Desired automation options and pool temperatures will be discussed.
- A full set of photos will be take to convey the job requirements to the installers.
Note: a pre-installation inspection may not be required for your pool heating system. Your solar consultant will determine if there are any complexities that warrant an inspection. Our technicians arrive in a fully stocked van to ensure we have everything needed to complete your installation.
Solar Electric (Photovoltaic) Systems
- Roof measurements will be taken to ensure fit and identify any roof obstructions that exist. Modifications to the proposed layout will be discussed, if needed.
- Any visible roof damage will be documented with photographs, including broken tiles and worn or torn shingles.
- Your attic access and accessibility will be observed, along with truss layout and direction.
- The home’s existing electrical distribution and disconnecting means will be evaluated and a utility interconnection plan developed.
- Location of electrical conduit, sub-distribution, and disconnecting means will be determined.
- Internet access will be discussed for purposes of installing performance monitoring hardware.
- Shading or future shading potential will be evaluated.
- A full set of photos will be take to convey the job requirements to the installers.
Once the inspection is complete, Florida Solar Design Group will compile the photos and create a narrative description of the job so that installation teams can review everything before they load up for the installation. This ensures that management, procurement, and installers are on the same page, they arrive prepared to perform the work, and the job goes smoothly. This is the signature service Florida Solar Design Group provides, and we call it the Platinum Platter.
Below are some actual photos taken at pre-installation visits and why they are important for your solar panel installation.
-
- Cracked roof tiles are commonplace. Documenting these before installation and identifying any corrective action required is a value added service.
-
- Old equipment sometimes becomes obsolete, like this solar controller with a missing remote. The remote could not be replaced.
-
- Attic access is obstructed be a very expensive automobile. Ensuring clear access will be important.
-
- This subpanel is full, requiring alternate plans for a solar controller being added to the system.
-
- We call these pool coolers. Explaining how features cool the pool surprises some clients.
-
- Bubbles in the pump housing indicates an air suction leak that should be further investigated.
-
- Roof obstructions like plumbing vents are part of the business. Working around them is usually not a problem.
-
- A cluttered pool equipment pad leaves few options for running solar pool heat plumbing.
-
- Measuring the roof, taking into account hip caps and other conditions ensures a perfect fit.
-
- A valve butt up against the filter means there is no place to tie in solar plumbing without minor modifications.
-
- A meter/main distribution system leaves no place to interconnect a large solar electric system, limiting system size.
-
- Broken tiles are hard to see from the ground. We don’t want owners to think our installers did it!
-
- Proximity to gas lines warrants extreme caution for installers working at this pool equipment pad.
-
- An uncommon pump, not really suitable for this pool, is installed. Special attention is needed to program speeds appropriately.
-
- Ensuring low pressure and good flow is essential to proper solar pool heater operation.
-
- A cracked check valve housing is sure to cause problems in the near future.
-
- Young trees grow up, and these will have to be relocated or trimmed to ensure top performance.
