[RE-wrenches] Module holders

2013-01-21 Thread Hilton Dier III
In a recent discussion of the awkwardness of a PV mounting system I described module holders I made. Somebody asked for a photo. I got around to taking a picture of them: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8403507927_73a23357a8_m.jpg 80-20 and aluminum angle - do it yourself in an hour. I use

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV permitting standards

2013-01-21 Thread August Goers
Marco, Nearly all jurisdictions in the SF Bay Area require design drawings in order to obtain a permit. However, the City of San Francisco has an expedited permit process for systems of 4 kW or less. If you sign off on all for their requirements on a checklist you do not need to submit drawings

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best racking systems (was Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or removing modules?)

2013-01-21 Thread Jason Szumlanski
Despite the fact that Unirac has not updated its manual for ASCE 7-10, the span tables are still useful and there is adequate engineering information from them to get the job done. Solarmount is still our product of choice, despite several lower cost options like Ironridge. That could change if com

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best racking systems (was Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or removing modules?)

2013-01-21 Thread Chris Mason
Jason, What are you using now? We look to Florida for standards, as he Caribbean doesn't have any. On Mon, Jan 21, 2013 at 9:10 AM, Jason Szumlanski wrote: > That's based on ASCE 7-05. If your AHJ requires ASCE 7-10, that is no > longer the case. Florida Building Code 2010 requires use of ASCE 7

Re: [RE-wrenches] Best racking systems (was Awkward Mid-clamps & jigs for installing or removing modules?)

2013-01-21 Thread Jason Szumlanski
That's based on ASCE 7-05. If your AHJ requires ASCE 7-10, that is no longer the case. Florida Building Code 2010 requires use of ASCE 7-10, and ultimate design wind speeds have changed dramatically, so it's important to consider the method, not just the wind speed. We liked Zep, except when you h

Re: [RE-wrenches] PV permitting standards

2013-01-21 Thread Jason Szumlanski
In Southwest Florida, we can typically do electrical 1-line schematics ourselves as licensed solar contractors, but all jurisdictions required PE signed and sealed structural drawings, or at a minimum a signed and sealed engineering letter with wind load calculations. Some jurisdictions require tha