News & Blog

FAQ of the Month

A common question our engineering team has received this month is, "What should I do if the building department has a specific height or square footage restriction for my ground mount, canopy, or carport project?"

Clients should always specify in their project submittals whether there are any height or square footage restrictions for the requested project. These limitations must be conveyed to Solar Foundations USA in the early stages so our Design & Engineering Team can configure the structure accordingly. We ask your team to review the applicable code from the local building department before submitting the quote or design request. This process eliminates revisions for both parties involved.

• SFUSA can adjust the configuration, tilt, and panel leading edge height to stay within the specified limits. It’s okay to leave your quote/design request open-ended with these restrictions, as SFUSA can provide a few different options.
  • For example, if there is a maximum array height of 10 ft., Solar Foundations USA can send a quote for a 4L and 6L option using a different tilt and leading-edge height. This process gives your company the ability to make an informed evaluation of array configuration and power output related to overall project costs.
• If the building department has any questions concerning Solar Foundations’ design or product, our team will provide as much information we can to keep the project moving forward. Most of the time, a direct phone call with the inspector or a formal engineering letter will help the process.

Don’t let restrictions such as these deter you from moving forward with your project. Contact our Design & Engineering Team today with any questions.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

July has been full of rain, which means wet lawns, tire tracks, and tall grass. Its important clients check in with homeowners and business owners as a scheduled installation is approaching. By doing so, some may prefer to push off the scheduled installation to give the lawn/field time to dry out.

• If the ground is completely saturated, our crews will not drive our heavy equipment onto the lawn at the risk of getting the truck and trailer stuck.
• If the conditions are executable on Solar Foundations’ end, but the homeowner or business owner still does not want the crew driving on the lawn to the array location, SFUSA would need to know this information ahead of time. 
  • While the truck and trailer can stay in the driveway, the rubber-tracked mini skid steer SFUSA uses to install the piles must make its way to the array area. The mini skid steer may create tracks or ruts in the lawn. The homeowner or business owner needs to be aware that there will likely be some lawn damage that, per the contract, SFUSA would be looking for the solar company to address at the same time the trenchwork is done.
• With everything growing so fast this time of year, please ensure the array location is cut down to less than 8 in. of height prior to the installation date. This allows our crews to maneuver the mini skid steer with ease, ensure straight string lines, and limit delays onsite.

Review Solar Foundations’ Homeowner Checklist for other items we highly recommend bringing up to the homeowner or business owner prior to our crews’ arrival.

Miss Utility Reminders

As Solar Foundations USA continues to gain new clients across the US and new personnel pop up within companies often, we want to ensure tasks are communicated with all parties so there’s no confusion prior to our crews arriving on site. One topic, in particular, revolves around site markings.

• Clients must locate and mark any and all private underground utilities, pipes, conduits, and lines in the work area. Solar Foundations USA is not responsible for any damage caused to any Underground Improvements which are not accurately and clearly identified. These private lines typically include the following:
  • Electric “after the meter” which is often from the utility pole to the house
  • Telephone and cable TV extensions to the garage, pool house, or outside an apartment
  • Propane lines to buried tanks, gas grills, and pool heaters
  • Water supply lines – these can include the house service from the shut-off at the street or from a private well
  • Irrigation and sprinkler systems
  • Sewer services to the sewer main
  • Septic lines, tanks, and leach field
• SFUSA will call in a Dig Safe® (or similar) public utility mark-out request for our portion of the work. We ask that your company or the property owner check the array location after the mark-out is complete. This quick check leaves extra time to make the adjustments needed before the installation crew arrives on site.
  • Please note our tickets encompass only the array area where the piles are to be installed. Solar Foundations' tickets do not include the trenching path or any private lines that may run through the property. We advise your company to call in a separate ticket to encompass the trenching path and verify the utilities.
  • By calling in the utility mark-out request, we minimize the chance for errors, missed mark-outs, and, most importantly, ensure the safety of the crews installing the structure.

Contact Catelyn Linendoll in our office with any questions regarding utility mark outs.

Solar Panel Installation Hardware

Solar Foundations USA will ship the panel mounting hardware package the week before the SFUSA scheduled installation date. The panel mounting hardware box is usually a 6-, 7- or 8-Inch cube for most residential projects.

• Please note the hardware package cannot be shipped to a PO Box.
• For product accountability control, we highly recommend only shipping hardware packages to the Solar Company's or Electrical Contractor’s office/warehouse.
  • We do not recommend requesting the hardware box to be shipped directly to the job site due to the high probability of the package getting lost, damaged, or stolen.
• A standard solar panel installation hardware box, not including any additional add-ons, has the following product inside. An installation manual is included with each box. We highly recommend all members of your crew read and understand the process prior to assembling any pieces. The most common installation error occurs when using the WEEB DMC Clips, please read those directions carefully.
  • Aluminum Mill Finish End Clamp (specific to your module thickness)
  • Aluminum Mill Finish Mid Clamp
  • Stainless Steel SFUSA T-Head Bolt (specific to your module thickness)
  • Hex Head Bolt, 0.75 in. Long (1/4-20, 18-8 Stainless)
  • K-Lock Nut (1/4-20, 18-8 Stainless)
  • WEEB DMC Grounding Compression Clip (specific installation details outlined in the SFUSA Manual)
  • Grounding Lug Kit
• We understand panel manufacturers and model numbers are constantly changing due to product availability. If the design is a few months old, Meghan or Catelyn in our office will confirm before the scheduled installation whether or not the same panels from the initial quote are still applicable.

*IMPORTANT* If the panels have changed, SFUSA will need to know as soon as possible as it can change the design, material load on the trailer for our crews, the panel hardware package, and the overall cost of the structure.

Submit a module change for your upcoming project here.

Solar Foundations USA Exhibiting at the 2021 NABCEP CE Conference

Visit us at Booth #2
August 9-12, 2021
Knoxville, TN

SFUSA will be attending the 2021 NABCEP CE Conference from August 9th through the 12th in Knoxville, TN. Solar Foundations USA provides a full range of services including consultation, engineering and design, permit-ready plans, custom component manufacturing, and installation services. With your company’s new structure in place, you simply install the solar panels and remaining infrastructure, and the project is complete.

This is a great opportunity for those working on their continuing education credits to speak to our team directly regarding any technical field questions, product inquires, or service requests. Solar Foundations’ President, Mike Zuritis, and Sales Director, Devin Paris, will be attending the conference and look forward to discussing your project needs.

Interested in booking an individual meeting with Mike Zuritis and Devin Paris? Follow the link below to reserve a time that works for you.

Meet the Team

Sean Hnath
Product Design Engineer

After devoting his time working for various internships, Sean Hnath found his way to Solar Foundations USA from Pennsylvania to Upstate New York. Sean is Solar Foundations’ Production and Equipment Design Engineer.  He is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.  Sean is responsible for researching and developing ideas and processes for new products, improvements upon the performance and design of existing products, and overseeing the production of final products. He is also in charge of providing support for manufacturing equipment and field/mobile equipment.

Sean enjoys hiking, working out, and participating in CrossFit events in his free time. He is now busy with projects on his new home.

Questions for Sean?

UPCOMING AUGUST GIVEAWAY ALERT

A hot topic this month has been Wire Management. Solar Foundations USA currently does not have a wire management product available. However, we are always willing to send clients photos, ideas, and recommendations regarding cleaning up the underside of the array.

Tag SFUSA in a photo this month of your wire management methods with our racking for a chance to win tickets to Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, NY, or some Solar Foundations USA apparel! Winners will be selected in September.