Graduating HS soon and got my first job in solar. can you help me?

[Raul]

I'm a roofer and done quite few hundreds of rails for various solar companies . What I'm shocked that this is not first time I see you guys over there do loussy roof coverings penetration and alow that garbage to even be sold, signed of and expect long term service from the installation leak free.
In UK we have MCS that have set minimum required standards and as a installer you have to be registered , approved and give a cert of install to guarantee 20 years of service . Surface silicone of any kind as a primary water seal is prohibeted . Special flashings to suit diferent roof coverings are designed and needs MCS approval before they can be commercialised for that purpose . If the solar product is not tested and recognised by MCS it can't be used for a 20 year install.
Those mounts in the pics are more suited for a metal sheeting roofs on commercial units providing you use a epdm seal washer with capping and epdm pad under brakets .

[solarix]

I am not a fan of rail-less mounting systems. Very few roofs allow laying out a nice neat array where rail-less systems do well. Most of the time you are trying to shoe-horn around obstructions and weird roof shapes and using rails gives you the needed flexibility to work around all the problems. Trying to figure out where to exactly put rail-less mounts on a complicated installation is difficult. The time you save not installing rails, you are going to lose in reinstalling and readjusting the rail-less mounts. Rail systems are also much stronger and spread the load out better as you can stagger the mounts onto alternating trusses.
My advice: Take online solar courses from SEIA, learn the theory of solar design, and get your NABCEP certification.

[DaveDE2]

Seems like a lot of roof penetrations in that system.

[ButchDeal]

Is that third photo a joke. No flashing of any kind

[Logan005]

very nice, my only concern would be ventilation and heat build up. likely work better in colder northern climates.

[ButchDeal]

i am graduating from high school in the next few months and a family friend has offered me an job at his solar company. one of the
first things he mentioned he wants is stop stop using railing (racking?) but he's not very tech savvy. what are some of the best names in
mounting?

Railless mounts are for cheap and lasso installers. They reduce roof stength rather than increase it. Some areas they require engineering stamps and may not meet fire codes.

[nicholas]

Good morning,

Longtime lurker on this website and just made an account for this post.

If your family friend performs any residential gigs, I'd like to recommend the Sol Attach solar mounting system (full disclosure: I work for them.)
It's actually made here in the US with a compositional and standing seam roof mount available. I've attached some pictures for your viewing.

Sol Attach mounts eliminate unsightly bolts & nuts from view so it looks great and performs even better!

Please feel free to check out our website: www.solattach.com

PM if you have any questions.

Nicholas

EDIT: ButchDeal was kind enough to point out the lack of flashing in the 3rd picture, good catch! I should have pointed out this was on our own home to demonstrate the mount itself. I should have mentioned that originally. My apologies!

[solnoob]

i am graduating from high school in the next few months and a family friend has offered me an job at his solar company. one of the
first things he mentioned he wants is stop stop using railing (racking?) but he's not very tech savvy. what are some of the best names in
mounting?