attention to detail

Technical Best Practices

The economic and environmental value of a solar array increases with its longevity. Here are a few examples of Same Sun’s policies to ensure that our installations will last 30 years and beyond.

Same Sun has adopted careful and safe procedures to ensure not only that each component is operating correctly at installation, i.e. modules are at their nameplate wattage and correct voltage, but that the installed system functions at its optimal capacity. Our crew leaders and project managers maintain the highest standards.

Aesthetically pleasing and Built to Last

Electrical conduit’s primary purpose is to provide long term protection for the conductors carrying the solar electricity. By following the building’s natural ‘lines,’ for example, keeping tight to corner trim and running underneath roof overhangs, as well as selecting the right type of conduit for its exposure, the conduit becomes both visually unobtrusive and long-lasting. PVC conduit for example will not rust like metallic conduit, but will significantly expand and contract in changing temperatures – thus requiring ‘expansion couplings’ and added straps to secure it.

When mounting a solar array to a building, the attachment method used must be engineered to keep the array on the roof under all environmental conditions (snow, wind, etc.) for decades to come. In order to do so, the array must be securely bolted through the roof surface and into the building structure, i.e. rafters or trusses. Industry tested ‘flashings’ are roofer approved and provide for superior waterproofing. By using larger flashings that utilize raised penetration points, and by ‘staggering’ flashings across more structural members, we are ensuring leak-free attachments that don’t simply rely on caulking and that better distribute the added weight across the roof.

Superior grounding of solar equipment can greatly minimize the chance of lightning induced damage. Properly specified and installed grounding components – wires, lugs, clamps, rods etc. can help dissipate static charges that build up on a roof or ground mount, thereby helping to avoid a direct strike. To help mitigate damage from nearby strikes, especially on exposed ground mounts, special solar surge arrestor devices are employed in an effort to redirect to ground large transient surges that can find their way onto solar wiring. In addition, all ground mount wiring is covered with a hardware cloth that ensures safety while minimizing damage from elements or animals.

While the tendency may be to maximize every square inch of rooftop ‘real estate’ using a variety of module orientations, care must be taken to ensure that the array is not situated too close to existing features, such as vent pipes, skylights and valleys. Getting too close to these can create future maintenance difficulties, as well as undue stress on the array from snow and ice buildup and freeze/thaw cycling. Falling snow and ice from an adjacent roof plane can damage solar modules in its path, as well as create snow/ice dams that not only shade the array and limit production, but can also damage the array and potentially create roof leaks. Utilizing just one module orientation also yields superior wire management under and around the array, as well as superior aesthetics.