Surveying roof - from ground

[binky]

Anyone know of any clever ideas for accurately surveying a roof without getting up ladders? You can achieve a cetain amount from attic space, and a look at google earth helps, but sometimes you just can't get detailed measurments without clambering up - unless you know different ?????

 

[Andy™]

one of those fancy laser measures?

 

[Sidewinder]

You can use a laser measure, theodolite etc. and some maths!

Depends how accurate you need to be.

Remember the squaw on the hoppopotomus hide is equal to the sum of the squaws on the other 2 hides!

 

[steptoe]

do you want to measure it.?

count the bricks,

or,

there is an app for doing it all from the inside, will measure the roof, get your incline, and the direction it faces, then work out the likely generation all done for you,

its a fiver I think, but F'D if I can remember its name,

it was one of the reasons I got a smart phone in the first place.

 

[binky]

Maybe its time I upgraded my phone - not that I see anything wrong with the swamp gas model I currently have:^O

So basically, if I invent something clever I could be breaking new ground? Don't hold your breath, cos I haven't got time / inclination.

 

[binky]

I have answered my own problem - get panel suppliers to survey roof by Google. Quite a few panel suppliers have paid for versions of Google maps/earth and offer measuring service as part of quotation. (Still double check a few basic dimensions though )

 

[steptoe]

I have answered my own problem - get panel suppliers to survey roof by Google. Quite a few panel suppliers have paid for versions of Google maps/earth and offer measuring service as part of quotation. (Still double check a few basic dimensions though )

all well and good but that wont account for shading/shadows etc.

 

[Apache]

cos I haven't got time / inclination.

Without the inclination the trigonometry won't work!



It's simple maths if you know the pitch.

 

[Surboy]

Some of the ideas discussed will work till certain extend but there will be times when you need to get more information about the substructure of the roof and the only way to do this is to get up there e.g. lifting tiles or examining corrugated fibre / trapezoidal sheet cover. Bear in mind that fixing the mounting system onto the roof is the most important part of the installation if a system is to stay put for 25 years...

 

[binky]

Bear in mind that fixing the mounting system onto the roof is the most important part of the installation if a system is to stay put for 25 years...

Please don't teach your granny to suck eggs. :^O

 

[SteveT]

Steps, what is the App called? and is it Android or only Apple

 

[sellers]

Only problem is when your very tight to fit a system on, you will wish you had been up and physically measured.

 

[binky]

I like to re-measure before installing if tight for space, 20 odd panels occupies a large area even on a large roof.

 

[Surboy]

Please don't teach your granny to suck eggs. :^O

Well believe it or not having worked in the more mature PV European market I have seen some shambolic work being carried out by some UK installers (not using enough fixing points, penetrating tiles, etc) and little consideration given to the longevity of the mounting system on the roof. You can say what you want but at the moment the average standard of installs in this country has to improve. There are of course many installers out there doing a very good job but that is not the large majority...

BTW, I thought forums were a tool to share best practices with other people with similar interests but not necessarily the same background or level of experience...

 

[binky]

Yep, charlatons everywhere, wasn't meaning to cause offence but you did seem to be stating the obvious, and I'm bleeding knackered and a bit humourless at the mo. My major selling pont - do it right it and it will last 25 years and I don't have to claim off my insurance. Longeveity is in the details, like using stainless screws.

Would be very interested on your opinions ref modules and inverters, and any snags that occur with systems.

 

[skydog]

i would like to know the name of this app too if anyones knows ? t.y.

 

[steptoe]

Steps, what is the App called? and is it Android or only Apple

its iphone,

and I dont know, I have an Android,

I thought it was for both headbang Im a bit thick like that on technology :|

the tutor showed us it on the PV course, and I thought, brilliant, so went and got a smartphone the next week,

and its only on apple

BUT, there are some decent things on android, probably some really good things if you pay,

Im a bit tight like that, until someone else pays and says its good, :C

 

[binky]

BUT, there are some decent things on android, probably some really good things if you pay,

Im a bit tight like that, until someone else pays and says its good, :C

You and me both - always ben suspicious of new stuff and big promises. Anyway getting back to original question, it seems answer is expensive laser surveying gadget and a tripod. When I'm wealthy I'll but one. In the meantime its' tape measure, dead reckoning, measuring from inside roof, and a good set of cable rods. I'm currently looking for a set of Black Super rods if anyone knows where to buy these without all the other gubbins that goeas with buying a set?

 

[steptoe]

Black super rods, ? And these would be what?

 

[Andy™]

Black super rods, ? And these would be what?

there like normal rods, but they can fly