Renewables: "talking 'bout my generation"

legoman62

jevban wrote: »

Hi folks. What is the minimum distance my panels should be from my roof edge? Have had problematic guttering since an install in June with rogue builders and since PV install noticed heavy dripping at side of the house. Bit the bullet today and having the guttering replaced by another company as the original suppliers are nothing more than threatening bullies and refuse to do ongoing remedial works. Anyhow, had the PV roofing guys out and they say there is sufficient distance.

I think that in heavy rain, water will flow off the top edge of the panels. What does anyone think please/or are there any suppliers lurking on the form with up to date knowledge on the rules and regulations please?

Thanks in anticipation

Jan x

Think I've read somewhere, that 300mm is the minimum req from the bottom of your panels.

0.65 O's today:D

tunnel

Panels should be 300mm from the edge of the roof to avoid wind damage, was told that by my first installer, yet look around at ASG installs and I think you'll find they don't care, tending to shove the panels to the edges for maximum profit(another useless piece of information).


0.6 O's today, my WNW keeps dragging my figure down, can't wait till it really kicks up.

jevban

Thanks...I've seen a range of figures...just checking with others what their sense of right and wrong in terms of sitting the panels is.


Jan

jevban

What's ASG mean?

Thanks

Jan x

tunnel

jevban wrote: »

What's ASG mean?

Thanks

Jan x

That's A Shade Greener, a very large rent a roof company, you can tell their installs, all the panels are the same and they cram the panels to the edges.

Martyn1981

jevban wrote: »

Thanks...I've seen a range of figures...just checking with others what their sense of right and wrong in terms of sitting the panels is.

Jan

Hiya Jan, like others I heard of the 300mm 'loose' rule, perhaps 200mm at a pinch, but I think it's slightly more complex (or less depends how you look at it).

For the top edge, there are rules, since you can't alter the height of your roof without permission, so if the panels are too far up, they could be visible above the ridge, since they sit around 100mm proud. Hence they need to be down a bit due to rules. But not a problem, since the roofers won't want to lift the ridge tiles, to secure roof anchors, so will aim to be a bit lower anyway.

Sides and bottom, may be an issue of wind lift, but not sure if there are actual rules, also need to find anchor points again, so in a bit.

The bottom though, as you point out raises an extra issue, since ideally, you want the rain to run off the bottom panel onto the roof before going into the gutter, to prevent it blowing over the gutter in heavy rain and wind. So the gutter guys may have a point, but I'm not sure if there is a 'rule', or just 'guidance'.

Thinking about it, this really doesn't help at all. Sorry.

Mart.

PS. Dull day, poor gen again, about a 1/4 O. Booh! M.

jevban

Thanks Marty

The PV company said they will slide the panels back, or the MD did.....they need to come out and fit a particular fuse for the panels as when the MD came to check and sign off, he was unhappy with a couple of things the spark did. Hope to get them pushed back slightly as we have had a dear old year with a dodgy company earlier in the year who's idea of customer service is to threaten me.

Thanks for all the views,even if no definitive answers

Jan x

tunnel

jevban wrote: »

Thanks Marty

The PV company said they will slide the panels back, or the MD did.....they need to come out and fit a particular fuse for the panels as when the MD came to check and sign off, he was unhappy with a couple of things the spark did. Hope to get them pushed back slightly as we have had a dear old year with a dodgy company earlier in the year who's idea of customer service is to threaten me.

Thanks for all the views,even if no definitive answers

Jan x

Bet watchdog would like to hear about them:D

jevban

Tried being nice, all the TV programmes and CAB/Trading Standards, but have to be very careful as they read this forum and get at you in a big way. They have CCJs they ignore and have a numer of companies between the pair that they have used for upto 2 years and never submitted accounts for. Can't say too much, but a number of parties interested in the particular company. Bully boys doesn't do it justice.

John_Pierpoint

My panels come to about 200 mm (one interlocking concrete tile) of the bottom edge of my roof.
The original "surveyor" thought he could push then further up; but not without taking off the ridge and top row of tiles he could not.

As far as rain goes the water just drains off onto the bottom tile and from there into the gutter; so not a problem.

However, with snow on a 30 degree roof, the sun goes through the snow onto the "black" panels and heats up the bottom of the snowfield. Then the snow starts to slide en-masse down the three rows of panels.
The avalanche is good for PV generation but as it jumps the bottom tile, and the gutter, it could be something of a disaster for a young child playing underneath.

The recent gale across Southern England did not generate stories about fly away panels.