This document provides information on different types of roofing materials and how they relate to installing solar arrays. It discusses membrane, built-up, metal, and spray foam roofing materials. It also outlines anchoring methods for photovoltaic systems including mechanically fastened, ballasted, and hybrid systems. The document concludes with discussing sequences for installing solar arrays and providing project details from Blue Oak Energy, a solar energy company.

1. The Basics about Rooftops
and Solar Arrays
July 08, 2012

2. Roofing Types & Comparison
• Membrane
 Common in commercial re-roofing projects, particularly for low slope roofs (<3 in 12 pitch)
 Easy installation & low cost with 15 year warranty typical / low weight ratio (psf)
 Welded seam and fully adhered applications / low maintenance
 White membrane has a high solar reflectance and very energy efficient
• Built-Up
 Common practice for decades due to availability of materials
 Messy to install, reasonable cost with various types of applications (hot mopping)
 Basic concept is to use an asphalt or tar base with an outer coating, such as fiberglass
composite shingle or gravel / higher weight ratio
• Metal
 Typically used for aesthetic purposes during new construction applications
 Skilled workers needed to install / mechanically attached to the structure
 Higher cost with long life expectancy / low maintenance /pre-fab panels with various colors
• Spray Foam
 Commonly used over existing Built-Up roofs with extensive leaks / not a solo application
 Cheap and fast method to re-roof / can be highly reflective and very energy efficient
 Higher maintenance activity required / lower life expectancy

3. EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene monomer

4. TPO
Thermoplastic Polyolefin

5. PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride

6. Asphalt Impregnated Fiberglass
(Rolled Composite)
6

7. Composite Shingle
7

8. Tar & Gravel

9. Modified Bitumen (ModBit)

10. Composite Shingle
10

11. Standing Seam Metal Roofing
11

12. Corrugated Metal

13. SPF – Sprayed polyurethane foam
13

14. Walkway Protection
TPO and EPDM Roofs
14

15. Lead Roof Jacks
• Lead roof jacks are
malleable
• Lead roof jacks are used on
• Built up roofs
• Composite shingle roofs
• Tile roofs
15

16. Sheet Metal Roof Jacks
• With and without rubber
boot
• Used on asphalt and
composite shingle roofs
• Long life expectancy due
to galvanized coating
• Highly resistant materials
and construction
16

17. Metal Roof Jack with
Composite Shingle Roof

18. Anchoring PV Systems
Rooftop Applications
• Mechanically Fastened
• Use fasteners to attach standoffs to structural members
• Requires cutting of new or existing roofing system
• Capable of withstanding high wind loads (130+ mph)
• Higher potential for leaks due to high number of penetrations
• Ballasted
• Use dead weight (bricks) to hold system in place
• Zero penetrations / limited seismic & wind loading compliance
• Need strong structure to support high psf of system
• Can be hard to obtain a building permit / IBC compliance
• Hybrid
• Uses both mechanical fastened and ballasted components
• Benefits from both types of applications for seismic and wind
compliance
• Can be labor intensive or not as cost effective
18

19. Mechanically Fastened
Sunlink

20. Mechanically Fastened
Unirac U-LA
20

21. Standoff in Built-up Roof
21

22. Ballasted
22

23. Slip Sheets
• Tilt brackets may puncture roofing materials if slip pads are not installed
• Slip pads under tilt brackets help prevent roofing materials from buckling
23

24. Conduit Supports
• Cooper B-Line Dura-Bloks ® and
Caddy® Pyramids make excellent
conduit supports, no slip pads are
required
• For single small-conduit runs Trex ®
decking lumber can be used for long-
lasting conduit support
• Wood, even treated wood, is not a long
lasting conduit support
24

25. Prefabricated TPO
Membrane Roof Jack
• Manufactured TPO roof jacks
come in several different styles
• Less expensive on labor versus
custom roof flashing
25

26. Pre-manufactured roof jacks make
installation fast , clean and durable
26

27. Custom Flashings
• Typically more expensive than
pre-manufactured products
• Always available for installation
if roofing membrane is on site
• Best application for unique or
short standoffs

28. Sequence of Events
on a typical
Rooftop Solar Array
28

29. Skylight Fall Protection
29

30. Position the Substructure
30

31. Installing the Modules
31

32. Mark and Cut
32

33. Remove Insulation
33

34. Attach Mounting Block
34

35. Roofing
35

36. Sealed Penetration
36

37. Completed System!
37

38. About Blue Oak Energy
 Closely held entrepreneurial company
with a solid and passionate management team since 2003
 Relationship oriented
we deliver for our customers and grow from repeat business
 Downstream focused
Projects in operation: designing and building PV systems
350 MW
Work in progress:  Scale driven
commercial & utility segments fuel our growth
200+ MW
PV Systems Designed:  Ideally located
453 60% of the US solar market is located in California but we
work nationwide

39. Mission
We will design, build and
maintain solar energy to last a
lifetime.
Vision
We expect solar energy will
be cost competitive with
brown power by 2015 in 75%
of the US.
Values
Culture. Teamwork.
Perspective. 39

40. Distributed Wal-Mart Sites – 6MW total
BOE performed the engineering and construction management for (12) 500kW arrays in California.
Wal-Mart has solar arrays installed on nearly 100 of their stores as of 2012.

41. www.blueoakenergy.com