Residential solar installers share their best on-the-job tips Solar Power World’s 2023 Install Tips
We hear from manufacturers and execs often, but this time Solar Power World talked to the people spending hours on rooftops every day for their best tips and tools for better installations. Read on for installation tips from pros from Alaska to Maine.
What’s a piece of clothing you can’t live without on the job?
Rain gear is a must! I have a light rain shell from REI for wind and light rain and a Grundens rain jacket for when it gets really froggy.-Jack Carpenter, Crew Lead, Alaska Solar
UV-protected hat and shirts. We are exposed to the sun’s rays almost every day for long periods of time, and we must protect our skin!-Jessie Rule, crew lead solar installer and licensed electrician, Revision Energy
I can’t live without a long-sleeved shirt because it’s too hot on the roof to wear anything short-sleeved without burning my arms on metal. Plus, I won’t get a tan or sunburn.-Deshawn Ellison, Crew Lead, Energy Service Partners
Blåkläder pants with tool pouch and knee pads built-in and a wide-brimmed hat.-Doug, Field Engineer, Freedom Solar Power
Probably a hat, whether it’s a bright sunny day or cloudy day. I use my hat to carry SunRunner clips — I stick them on the brim, and it’s an easy way to keep them without spilling them all over a roof.-Tristin Hobbs, Electrician, ION Solar
Cougar Paw boots.-Andrew Ramos, CEO, Suncatch Solar
Invest in a good sunhat.-Rudolfo Gil, Electrical Lead, Titan Solar Power
What’s an install tip you learned the hard way?
Do your homework before you get on the jobsite and pay attention to details so you don’t install an array on the wrong side of the house. Oops!-Deshawn Ellison, Crew Lead, Energy Service Partners
Verify material and plan the job prior to arriving onsite.-Doug, Field Engineer, Freedom Solar Power
The way someone else accomplishes a task may not be the way you should do it. The first time I tried carrying modules on the roof, I threw it up onto my shoulder and fell backwards onto the rail. This is the way I had seen my crewmates do it, but they were all 6 ft or taller guys, and I’m quite a bit smaller than them. It was discouraging at first until I figured out a way that works for me. If it’s safe and it gets the job done, it shouldn’t matter that it doesn’t look exactly the same as the way someone else would do it.-Jessie Rule, crew lead solar installer and licensed electrician, Revision Energy
Fast isn’t always fast. Keeping a steady pace while checking yourself and your crew is the fastest way to install. If everybody gets into a rush, you’re bound to forget something. Then you’ll have to take panels up or do things over.–Jack Carpenter, Crew Lead, Alaska Solar
Never cut a corner early on in the install or try to do it the “easy way.” It is easier to get the right result when you make every effort along the way to get it right the first time. Rework is much more difficult than taking the time and effort to get it exactly right from the beginning.-David Harper, Installer, Solar Energy World
Knowing how to do the installation is just half of the job. You also have to know how to lead and manage a team while doing the install.-Rudolfo Gil, Electrical Lead, Titan Solar Power
What’s your favorite installation tool?
The impact driver — it does everything! From putting in feet to clamping down modules, most of the work I do involves the use of the impact.-Jessie Rule, crew lead solar installer and licensed electrician, Revision Energy
The bender. Bending conduit is how an electrician shows how good they are at their trade.-Rudolfo Gil, Electrical Lead, Titan Solar Power
A FLIR camera for infrared thermography, a Fluke 393 Clamp Meter and a Milwaukee M12 Torque Wrench.-Doug, Field Engineer, Freedom Solar Power
My favorite installation tool is, without a doubt, my DEWALT impact driver. Honorable mentions: Shoutout to my Klein Tools wire strippers and my chalk line. I prefer red chalk, but I’ll accept orange and green, too.-Jack Carpenter, Crew Lead, Alaska Solar
Milwaukee 3/8 impact driver. With the one key feature, you can set custom torque settings that are great for cinching all your clips.-Tristin Hobbs, Electrician, ION Solar
My favorite installation tool is my Milwaukee impact driver just because it’s the most satisfying thing in the world to drive a 3-in. lag bolt into a solid piece of structure and feel it tighten down.-David Harper, Installer, Solar Energy World
What’s the best solar install tip you won’t find in a manual?
Have some basic integrity in your work. No manual will cover this, but it really goes a long way. Nobody else may ever know, or it could take many years for them to discover your mistake, but you will know.–David Harper, Installer, Solar Energy World
Check your strings from the junction box before you slap down panels.–Andrew Ramos, CEO, Suncatch Solar
Build trust with your team/crew. This is a very dangerous job and you really do have to trust people with your life when you are up on the roof using ladders and tools, and larger machinery.-Jessie Rule, crew lead solar installer and licensed electrician, Revision Energy
Load some Sprite into a Super Soaker then apply it to metal roofs for extra grip.–Doug, Field Engineer, Freedom Solar Power
Learn all you can. I haven’t ever done an install completely by myself, but I like to know I could if I needed to.–Tristin Hobbs, Electrician, ION Solar
Pretend that every install is for your parents or someone you really respect and care for. Go the extra mile. If your clients are in their 70s, clean out their gutters while you’re up there. Clean up after yourself. Take pride in your work. Take care of each roof and each array like it’s your own. It will show.-Jack Carpenter, Crew Lead, Alaska Solar
Read more installer profiles:
Dennis Wells — Arch Solar Jenny Conrardy — Current Electric Ryan Zaricki — Whole Sun Designs Kipp Wilkinson — Alaska Solar