June 30, 20241 yr This is a follow up on my previous post, requesting advice on a solar application form. https://powerforum.co.za/topic/29856-body-corporate-solar-please-comment-on-draft-application-form/#comment-205373 Thanks for the replies! We have an installer lined up, and are now deciding on the best panel layout. The roof is 2 rectangular spaces facing East and West, each roof is 6m *16m approx. 200 sqm in total. The requirement is to be able to provide 8 panels per body corporate section, there are 10 sections. The best roof is East facing, ideally every section should have access to 4 panels on each roof. We came up with two layouts: Layout 1 has 2 rows of 550W panels on each roof, vertically mounted, and 1 row of 550W panels horizontally mounted. The horizontal row may not be needed, if not all sections take up their solar option. Layout 2 has 3 rows of 450W panels on each roof, vertically mounted. This would maximize the use of roof space on the best roof space (East facing) When we showed the layouts to the installer, he mentioned that maintenance on 3 vertical rows of panels, with no space between rows, would be difficult and expensive, to replace a faulty panel would require taking out adjacent panels. Washing of panels would also be quite difficult to implement, how do you reach the panels if the whole roof is covered (It is a 3 storey building)? The 2 layouts can be viewed at the links below https://rhls.co.za/solar1.jpg https://rhls.co.za/solar2.jpg At present, layout 1 is the preferred option, because of the installer advice. But we would be interested in the forum’s views, would 3 rows of panels without any free roof space for maintenance walkways be a maintenance problem? How much space is recommended for maintenance walkways between or around panels, if roof space is available? Edited June 30, 20241 yr by Solo
June 30, 20241 yr 10 hours ago, Solo said: How much space is recommended for maintenance walkways between or around panels, if roof space is available? You will need at least 500 ~ 600mm wide walk way between rows of panel to simplify installation and maintenance especially on a 3 storey building. Edited June 30, 20241 yr by TaliaB
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