Use this site inspection form to collect the information required for both a structural engineering assessment of the site, as well as for a grid connection application.

Tools required:

• Camera
• Measuring tape
• Inclinometer (to measure roof slope)
• Caliper or micrometer (to measure thickness of steel purlins)
• Roof clamp test kit and tools to install / tighten / loosen the clamps

General tips:

• Bring a copy of the proposed solar array layout, so you can identify the correct areas of roof to inspect
• If a site has different roof sections, complete a separate form for each section
• Measure the thickness of steel purlins using a vernier caliper, not a measure tape (which isn’t accurate enough)

Roof clamps:

• If the site will use roof clamps, bring a roof clamp test kit (available from Solpod), identify the make & model of roof clamp that best fits, install it, and photograph the installed clamp from end on, side on and from an angle

Solpod types:

• Solpod v4 is the full sized product with two wings that unfold, 10 modules per pod, covering an area of 5.7 metres by 4.6 metres
• Mini v2 is a racking system that is assembled on the roof, installed either in rows (over two purlins) or in columns (from gutter to ridge)

Exclusion zones:

• Solpods are generally not installed in the edge exclusion zone, around the perimeter of the roof, 2 metres wide.
• For our wind tunnel results to be applicable, the width of the edge exclusion zone equals one-quarter of the roof height.

Guide to terminology:

• Roof height: average of gutter height and ridge height.
• Purlin type and size: purlins are typically C or Z shape, size refers to depth (e.g. 200 mm) and thickness (e.g. 1.9 mm)