Lesson 1
Introduction To Rail-Less Solar
Rail-Less Solar On Metal Roofs: Wire Management & Best Practices
As solar mounting technologies evolve to improve installation efficiencies and reduce material and labor costs, some developers and installers on the job site often find it daunting to keep abreast of changing technologies and adapt their operating procedures accordingly.
This seems evident by phobias some people have about rail-less PV mounting for metal roofs, while many others claim it is a piece of cake and saves a fortune. A few small shifts in thinking can produce huge savings in labor, material, and logistics, so it is worth a look. The shifts pertain to the mechanics of installation and a couple of other aspects of a project, such as wire management.
This course unpacks metal roof installations with a brief overview of the various types of metal roofs and their advantages for PV. Wire management techniques are presented in detail, along with other best practices and “how-to’s” for installing rail-less solar systems on metal roofs. Finally, methods for installing various accessories from microinverters to home runs are discussed.
Credit: NABCEP-Approved – Earn 1.5 JTA hrs
Learning Objectives
- How/why a metal roof is a perfect solar platform.
- Advantages of rail-less PV mounting systems.
- Best practices for design and deployment of wire management.
- Best practices for installation techniques and other balance of system (BOS) components.
Mark Gies
Mark joined S-5! in 2019 and is responsible for the business development of S-5!’s solar product line along with managing a number of distributor, EPC and solar installer accounts. In addition, he provides leadership and support to product management and new product development initiatives.
He is an out-of-the-box thinker who is passionate about renewable energy, especially solar energy, and enjoys bringing new and innovative ideas to the table. He is also passionate about doing his part to evolve the solar industry through involvement in numerous industry-wide committees and events.
Mark has an extraordinary ability to understand complex issues and translate them into laymen’s terms. He especially enjoys troubleshooting and problem solving, from helping customers tackle technical hurdles to developing new products that solve problems in the marketplace. When he is not at work, Mark enjoys outdoor sports including alpine skiing, backcountry skiing, mountain biking and hiking.