Afternoon all 

I am a total noob to the forum and the solar world at large. I have been lurking in the background and have started on the journey with 

1. 3 x  U3000 pylontech batteries 
2. Goodwe inverter 4.6kw inverter and 
3. 14 solar panels that are yet to be installed. 

I need the forumites' help with installing the panels on what looks like an asbestos roof (not sure).  

I would appreciate help with whether one can install panels on an asbestos roof like this and does anyone else have experience with it. 

Thanking you in advance  

 

Is it actual asbestos? That is a huge problem and majorly carcinogenic.

Hi DeepBass9 

 

i am not sure whether its fibre cement or asbestos. 

so are you saying that we should shy away from it if it is indeed an asbestos roof?

I would make sure first. Just google the link between asbestos and various cancers. 

"No amount of asbestos is considered safe. Products that contain greater than 1 percent of asbestos minerals are considered to be asbestos-containing. The more asbestos you are exposed to, the more likely you are to get an asbestos disease. Asbestosis and lung cancer are dose-related diseases."

Edited October 28, 20196 yr by DeepBass9

1 hour ago, SolarFreshman said:

I need the forumites' help with installing the panels on what looks like an asbestos roof (not sure).

Hi , can you please post a picture of the roof and specifically the substructure (What these sheets are fastened to)? I might have a mounting solution for you. 

Afternoon Jaco,

The sheets are connected to wood trusses below. i will take the picture for you and send it to you. 

In the interim can you please DM your number?

Thanks and regards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Usually all solar mounts are bolted to the tresses (trusses?), not the roof/tiles themselves. My loose installs (all off-grid) have even used just basic "hooks" just to hold in place a few panels, and even rested on the roof - but that is NOT a proper (or COC) installation - because it didn't need to be. But those "hooks" still were connected to the wooden trusses under the tiles. All other installs with proper solar frames have connected the same.

If it is asbestos I strongly advise you to take the opportunity to rid yourself of it responsibly, and re-roofing with something more panel friendly.

Read up on handling it, 'cause it is really deadly stuff.

It may not seem to make economic sense, but consider:

When SA legislation catches up with Europe, it will cost an absolute fortune to get rid of it, which has to be done in extreme clinical conditions by highly paid professionals.

Employing some laborers to drill it to fit panels now, is just court cases 10-20 years from now waiting to happen.

 

 

13 hours ago, phil.g00 said:

When SA legislation catches up with Europe, it will cost an absolute fortune to get rid of it, which has to be done in extreme clinical conditions by highly paid professionals.

Even now. You usually must hire a professional safety officer guy (at least this is how it was done at my previous place of work). They put up a little vacuum pump device in the area that sucks air through a membrane, and they check it every few days to make sure the fibre count is on the low end. Then each plate has to be removed carefully, and lowered from the roof (can't just toss it down). At least you don't have to put up a tent across the whole thing yet as you have to in other countries!

If you leave the roof undisturbed and it's in good condition, then it can stay. If you have to drill, wet the area down and use a mask... but generally... as others have said... best to get out of this game.

Good Afternoon

At last a topic I can maybe assist with... South African legislation (Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993 and Asbestos regulations) makes provision for two types of situations. The one is called "demolition work". Demolition work is where exposure to asbestos is possible but excludes asbestos cement products. If you have asbestos in raw format, used as lagging on steam pipes for example, you will need to get the services of a registered asbestos contractor. Refer to the asbestos demolition work guideline document below.

Asbestos cement products is less dangerous since the asbestos fibers is contained or held onto by the cement. In this instance you do not need the services of a registered asbestos contractor. You only need to follow work procedures that will prevent the creation of dust. For example, no cutting with power tools, especially abrasive cutting methods. No drilling at high speed, slow drilling is fine. No dry scrubbing, wet scrubbing is fine. No high-pressure water washing.

Contrary to popular believe, it is often better (less overall health risk) to retain the asbestos cement roof, for example, as is and keep it well maintained - regularly painted - than to have it removed.

South African legislation is generally pretty strict with regards to asbestos (it has been banned) while it is still used in the USA and Canada for example.

The following article could be of interest.

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2017-06-20-how-safe-are-gautengs-asbestos-schools/

How old is the building?

Asbestos guidelines.pdf Asbestos-Demolition-Work-Guideline.-2016.pdf Asbestos Regulations.pdf

19 hours ago, Corné said:

wet scrubbing is fine.

I'm so glad you answered. I generally have two answers to every question. The one is the cowboy answer. The other is the politically correct answer. On a public forum, you can get crucified for saying "go ahead but be careful". So the "wet it down and drill slowly" answer is my cowboy answer, which I decided not to give. So I am really happy to hear that this is an acceptable answer! 🙂