SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM INSTALLATION CHECK LIST

SOLAR PANEL (COLLECTORS) AND MOUNTING:

______ 1. Collectors face as close to true south as possible with no more than a 90º variance.
______ 2. Proper tilt angle for purpose.
______ 3. Receive reasonably unobstructed sunlight or surface area has been increased accordingly.
______ 4. Collectors and roof are ice and snow protected.
______ 5. Space is available for inspection and service.
______ 6. Weep holes are properly located.
______ 7. Collectors are rodent protected.
______ 8. Water-flow to and from gutters is unobstructed.
______ 9. Glazing is not cracked.
______ 10. Freeze sensor is well protected and secured.
______ 11. Mounting hardware is well protected.
______ 12. Dissimilar metals do not touch.
______ 13. All penetrations are adequately sealed and flashed.
______ 14. All exposed wood is treated.
______ 15. Bolt and screw holes are sealed.

SPANNERS (STRINGERS):

______ 16. Mounting holes are 5/16" diameter or greater.
______ 17. Neoprene washers installed.
______ 18. All penetrations sealed.

LAG BOLT MOUNTS:

______ 19. Bolts are 5/16" diameter or greater.
______ 20. Bolts penetrate rafters.
______ 21. All penetrations sealed.
______ 22. Washers installed.

RACKS:

______ 23. Will withstand 100 MPH winds.
______ 24. Properly flashed.

GROUND MOUNTS:

______ 25. Bottom of collector is 2 feet above ground.
______ 26. Footings extend below frost line.

PLUMBING:

______ 1. Proper valves are used throughout the system.
______ 2. Backflow preventer on potable water supply when necessary.
______ 3. No direct connection between potable line and waste line.
______ 4. Double-walled heat exchanger if toxic anti-freeze is used.
______ 5. Necessary Valves and pipes clearly labeled.

VALVES:

______ 6. System fully protected against excess pressure and temperature.
______ 7. Pressure relief valves properly installed and piped to drains.
______ 8. Vacuum breakers properly installed.
______ 9. Expansion tank and pressure gauge properly installed.
______ 10. Tempering valve set at 140°F and properly installed on hot water supply line.
______ 11. Check valve installed on cold water supply to tempering valve line.
______ 12. Air vents (coin/float) installed at all high points in system.

PIPING:

______ 13. No air traps in pipe run.
______ 14. Pipes are properly vented.
______ 15. Expansion joints used if necessary.
______ 16. All threaded joints are Teflon taped.
______ 17. All sweated joints are properly soldered.
______ 18. All pipes adequately supported.
______ 19. Joints around the collector soldered with 95/5 solder.

INSULATION:

______ 1. Properly installed ....after leak testing.
______ 2. Outside insulation waterproof and UV protected.
______ 3. Storage tank insulated.
______ 4. Insulation not impeding any part of system.
______ 5. Pumps, valves, and vents not insulated.
______ 6. Hangers not affecting insulation.

ELECTRICAL:

______ 1. Proper sensors installed securely.
______ 2. Sensors protected from ambient air.
______ 3. All wire splices secure and capped.
______ 4. Outdoor wiring is used where needed.
______ 5. Power input grounded and protected.
______ 6. Proper safety precautions practiced at all times.

GENERAL:

______ 1. System filled and pressurized to proper pressure.
______ 2. All work done neatly, carefully, and professionally.