Getting solar modules up to the roof

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Solar Peep

Solar Peep

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Seattle, Wa, USA
I'm curious how other solar contractors get their modules up to the roof.

I know of the boom lift option, and the motorized solar module lift however these both have their limitations depending on the job.

Most solar contractors that I know of just carry them up the ladder but we all know that you can't keep three points of contact on the ladder when doing so.

Is there a product on the market that you guys are using that will satisfy OSHA/L&I requirements?
 
Solar Peep said:
I'm curious how other solar contractors get their modules up to the roof.

I know of the boom lift option, and the motorized solar module lift however these both have their limitations depending on the job.

Most solar contractors that I know of just carry them up the ladder but we all know that you can't keep three points of contact on the ladder when doing so.

Is there a product on the market that you guys are using that will satisfy OSHA/L&I requirements?
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One technique I have seen is to mount two ladders next to each other, have two guys on the ladders carry a module between them, and hand it to a guy on the roof. I worked with a crew once that brought about 200 modules up onto a 20' high roof that way. It made for a long hard boring day...
 
We use a rope with carabiners to the mounting holes. If you need to keep the modules away from a sensitive building surface you can attach two guide ropes on the bottom to have the ground guy keep it pulled away. You neep two ropes on the bottom to keep the module from swiveling.
 
jaggedben said:
We use a rope with carabiners to the mounting holes. If you need to keep the modules away from a sensitive building surface you can attach two guide ropes on the bottom to have the ground guy keep it pulled away. You neep two ropes on the bottom to keep the module from swiveling.
Click to expand...
Can you provide some pics. I would appreciate it.
 
SCAFFOLD.
If a job is "sketchy" I have it scaffolded.
Sketchy = 2 stories and/or steep roof.

I have a great relationship with a cheap scaffolding contractor. I text him address, and voila!, scaffold is there when I start job.

Key: have them set up the 4 foot wide scaffold, or else you will have no where to lean the 40" panels on the levels.

This achieves two big goals: fall protection AND material handling. Everything can be passed up.....easy....one level at a time.
i hardly ever use ropes any more.:thumbsup:
 
Oh and make it clear you want it to get to the roof. That way they will set it away from the wall...and up to the eave, not against the wall (typical)and UNDER the eave!
 
Power Ladder

Power Ladder

ggunn said:
One technique I have seen is to mount two ladders next to each other, have two guys on the ladders carry a module between them, and hand it to a guy on the roof. I worked with a crew once that brought about 200 modules up onto a 20' high roof that way. It made for a long hard boring day...
Click to expand...
For anyone reading this thread years later, Power Ladder works exceptionally well. Expensive but over the long run the labor saved and the risk assessment that is mitigated will pay for the ladder 10 fold.
 
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