Roofit.Solar Click Setup guide
Click
Safety and Installation
Manual
roofitsolar.com
2023-1
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Table of Contents
Acronyms 3
Definitions 3
Introduction 4
Disclaimer of Liability 4
4
Safety 5
General Considerations 5
Main Precautions 6
Fire Safety 7
Roofit.Solar Product Information 8
Illustration of the Product 8
PV system planning 9
Roof Support Structure 9
Measuring the roof 11
Planning the layout 11
Electrical interconnection 13
Electrical connection accessories 13
Electrical Characteristics of the PV module 14
Wiring Considerations 14
Wiring Considerations 16
Grounding 17
PV system installation 18
Accessories for installation 18
Installation instructions 19
Case 1: Roof fully covered with Roofit.Solar modules. 19
Case 2: Column starts with “bottom extension” 26
Case 3: Overlap between module and “upper extension metal” 29
Maintenance 32
Cleaning 32
Visual inspection 32
Decommissioning and Disposal 32
Customer Support 32
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Acronyms
AM1.5 Air Mass 1.5
BIPV Building Integrated Photovoltaics (i.e. metal integrated photovoltaics)
DC Direct Current
VDC Volts of direct current
PV Photovoltaic
STC Standard Test Conditions (T= 25°C, Solar Irradiance = 1000 W/m2, AM = 1.5)
R Radius
Definitions
Buyer A person or party that purchases the Product/s from the Roofit Solar Energy OÜ.
Roofit.Solar Roofit Solar Energy OÜ
PV module Roofit Solar Energy OÜ roofing metal integrated photovoltaic module
Warranty Period The period beginning on the date of purchase of Product/s by the Buyer
PV system A system composed of two or more Roofit.Solar Products combined with an
inverter and other electrical accessories
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Introduction
This manual contains essential information about electrical and mechanical installation that must be followed before
handling, installing, and maintaining Roofit.Solar PV modules. Failure to follow these safety instructions may result in
personal injury or property damage.
Disclaimer of Liability
All the information contained in this manual is the intellectual property of Roofit Solar Energy OÜ and is based on
the technologies and experience acquired and accumulated by the company. This manual does not constitute a
warranty, either explicit or implicit.
Roofit Solar Energy OÜ does not assume responsibility and expressly disclaims liability for any loss, damage, or
expenses arising from or in any way related to the installation, operation, use or maintenance of our PV module.
Roofit Solar Energy OÜ assumes no responsibility for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties
that may result from the use of our PV module.
Roofit Solar Energy OÜ reserves the right to make changes to the PV module, the specifications, or the installation
manual without prior notice. Failure to comply with the requirements listed in this manual will void the warranty
provided by Roofit Solar Energy OÜ.
The mechanical and electrical installation of PV systems must be carried out with all applicable codes, including
electrical codes, building codes and electric utility interconnection requirements. These requirements may vary
from country to country. Contact local authorities for applicable regulations. The PV module must be installed by
a qualified person. The electrical connection must be made by a certified electrician. Planning the location of the
product on the roof should be carried out by a competent professional with experience in planning PV systems.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Safety
General Considerations
The distributor of our Products is required to provide this manual to the PV system owners.
Roofit.Solar is designed to meet the requirements of the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 standards.
Perform structural analysis of the roof before installing Roofit.Solar Products.
Observe all relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, and safety measures when handling solar modules.
For your safety, do not attempt to work on a rooftop until the necessary safety precautions have been identified
and taken. Sucient protective equipment (e.g. harnesses, insulated rubber gloves and tools, etc.) must be used
throughout the installation process.
Roofit.Solar PV modules can be combined with other components to form a photovoltaic system.
In this case, installation and operating instructions provided for these additional components must also be followed.
NB! PV systems generate DC electricity when exposed to light, and if not handled properly, can cause an electrical
shock or burn. PV modules operate at voltage levels higher than 30 VDC and currents exceeding 30 mA,
so all contacts with bare wires without proper safety measures can be harmful to one’s health.
The risk increases when multiple PV modules are connected to provide higher system voltage or current levels.
Dangerous voltages can also occur at night or even when the modules are not connected to an electrical
circuit or load.
The PV modules can only be deactivated by removing them from sunlight, or by completely covering their front side
with fabric, cardboard, or other opaque material, or by working with PV modules face down on a smooth, flat surface.
A PV system can produce an output higher than its rated specifications. Industry standard ratings are made at STC.
Reflection from snow or water can increase sunlight, thus enhancing current performance and power.
Furthermore, colder temperatures can significantly increase voltage and power.
This must be taken into consideration during the system design which must be done by a competent person
experienced in PV system planning (for more information, see the section Electrical Interconnection).
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Main Precautions
Always follow the safety precautions listed below when dealing with Roofit.Solar Product:
• Keep the PV module packages indoors until they are ready to be installed.
Transport and store the PV modules in appropriate packaging in a ventilated, rainproof, and dry location.
• Always use electrically insulated tools and gloves while working on the electrical connections of the PV module.
• Be careful with the sharp edges and corners of the PV module.
• NEVER disconnect/connect electrical connections under load. This can cause arcs and electrical shock.
Keep the connectors dry and clean. Remove the dust caps only before making electrical connections.
• Ensure that all electrical connections are properly secured and protected from unwanted interference.
• DO NOT install the PV module in adverse conditions
(rain, strong or gusty winds, wet or frosted roof surfaces, etc.).
• DO NOT use mirrors or other magnifiers to concentrate sunlight onto the PV module.
• DO NOT overbend or apply stress to the cables. Observe the recommended cable bending radius.
Junction box cable maximum bending radius R> 6*cable diameter.
• Ensure that all electrical connections are properly secured and protected from unwanted interference.
• DO NOT lift the PV module by grasping junction boxes.
• DO NOT drop the PV module or drag it over any surface.
• DO NOT attempt to install or service the PV system unless you are qualified to do so.
• DO NOT attempt to open the junction box, repair, modify or disassemble the PV module.
• DO NOT leave the PV module unsecured. If it falls, the glass layer could break.
• DO NOT apply paint or adhesive to the PV module surface or attempt to remove any markings,
labels or parts attached to the Product by the manufacturer.
• DO NOT drill holes in the glass part of the PV module.
• Always mount the PV module so that the junction box is unobstructed and does not carry
any of the weight of the PV module.
• Avoid stepping or placing heavy loads on the modules during the installation.
Doing so may cause microcracks or cracks that are not visible to the human eye.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Fire Safety
Consult your local authority for guidelines and requirements regarding building or structural fire safety. Roofit.Solar
PV modules have been designed in accordance with the requirements of Fire Test in IEC 61730 Part 2 Class A,
CEN/TS 1187 (Broof (t2)) in accordance with EN 13501-5:2016. The metal sheet has been tested according to the
EN 14782:2006.
The roof construction and installation may aect the fire safety of buildings. Improper installation may lead to
hazards in the event of a fire. Use appropriate components such as fuses and grounding connectors as required by
local authorities.
Inform firefighters about the
existence of a photo- voltaic system in the building.
In case of fire, stay away from all elements
of the PV system, until the area is safe.
Roofit.Solar recommends using a combiner box for buildings with PV systems to protect the house and inverter(s)
from unexpected overvoltage.
The combiner box is equipped with an emergency disconnect mechanism that shuts down the PV system and
protects it from overvoltage caused by lightning strikes.
The combiner box includes a fireman’s switch, which disconnects the DC power lines between the solar modules
and the inverter(s). The device can be triggered locally, as it is installed outside of the building, providing easy
access in case of a fire.
Please, follow the Combiner box instructions during the connection to the system, as in most cases the maximum
distance between the Combiner Box and the PV modules must not exceed 10 meters of cable length.
If this distance is exceeded, an additional combiner box needs to be installed.
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Roofit.Solar Product Information
The Roofit.Solar product is a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system that can be used as a construction
material on roofs or building facades. General information about the components of Roofit.Solar PV module is
depicted in the pictures below. Detailed information about their electrical, mechanical and thermal characteristics
can be found in datasheets of the products.
Illustration of the Product
View from the Front View from the Back
View from the Bottom Edge
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
PV system planning
To ensure the safety and performance of the PV module, it is important to take special precautions when installing
or operating in areas with heavy snow, extreme cold, strong wind, near coastal areas, or deserts where salt fog may
occur. The product can be used in temperatures between -40°C and 85°C and in environments with up to 100%
relative humidity and rain. The maximum altitude for installation is 2000 meters above sea level for a maximum
system voltage of 1000V.
Make sure that the product is not exposed to wind or snow that exceeds the maximum permissible load.
The maximum permissible designed snow load is 5300 Pa with a safety factor of 1.5, and the maximum permissible
designed wind load is 1600 Pa with a safety factor of 1.5.
Roofit.Solar is not responsible for any damage caused by lightning, so it is recommended to install surge protection
in areas with a high probability of lightning strikes. The product should not be installed in locations where corrosive
agents or flammable gases may be present. For the purposes of waterproofing and maintenance, the roof slope
must be greater than 10 degrees.
Roof Support Structure
Ensure that the installation method and supporting system of the roofing materials are strong and durable enough
to install the Product and meet its load requirements.
The supporting system must be installed in accordance with local, national, or international standards.
Any penetration (e.g.chimney, pipes etc.) to the roof must be properly sealed to prevent leaks.
The back of the product must be kept free of foreign objects that are not part of the support structure.
Battens support the Product and must thus be installed on the same level and form a flat surface to reduce the
chance of glass layer damage, provide proper locking quality, and decrease passive metal oil canning.
Tolerance of ±2 mm is allowed for unevenness of the battening. Leveled rafters and calibrated wood is a best
practice for achieving that.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
For the installation of the subframe, use wooden battens with dimensions of 32 x 100mm.
The recommended center-to-center batten spacing is 200mm to ensure proper wind resistance. A ventilation gap
of at least 50mm should be maintained between the Roofit.Solar Product and the moisture barrier, which can be
achieved by using a ventilation board and batten of appropriate thicknesses. Additionally, a minimum of 200mm
from the bottom of the roof should be fully decked.
When installing the Product, make sure to pay attention to where the battens are placed in relation to the junction
box. Each Product has a junction box that needs to be placed between the battens. To make sure everything fits and
works correctly, you need to leave 200mm of space for the junction box, wires and any potential misplacements.
If the battens are in the way of the junction box, move them up or down before installing the Product.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Measuring the roof
The customer needs to provide Roofit.Solar with a drawing or a simple sketch of their roof with important
measurements for the PV system. Length of the roof is measured from the outer surface of the farthest facing board
from the eaves to the middle of the ridge.
Planning the layout
Roofit app software helps with roof planning by determining the most eective solar module placement based on
the complexity of each roof. Shadow analysis determines the potential power loss from trees, chimneys, dormers,
and other structures and determines the best location for solar modules.
Snow guards, passage ladders, skylights, and personal demands from the Buyer are also factors in PV module
layout. Roofit.Solar needs as much information about the roof as possible, including the estimated height of the
chimneys, vent pipes, and trees in close proximity, in order to oer the most accurate design.
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Roofit.Solar products can either cover the entire roof or be used with regular metal roofing materials, depending on
the design of the roof. However, all elements that penetrate the roof (like chimneys or skylights) and the valleys need
to be surrounded with standard metal sheets that are 300mm wide.
This is because the PV layer of the Roofit.Solar product should not be cut, bent or otherwise damaged.
PV modules cannot be cut to size, so an extra piece of metal sheet is added on top or bottom to finish the column
and complete the roof. The decision of whether to extend the ridge side or the eave side depends on the look you
want and any technical needs like adding snow guards or avoiding shadows.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Electrical interconnection
Electrical connection accessories
Extension cable with QC4.10 DC cable with QC4.10 male/female
male/female connectors connectors
Extension cable (> 1 m) DC cables are used to connect
Roofit.solar DC Strings with the inverter.
Customized length.
Extension cables are needed if the connection
distance between the modules is more than 1 m.
Grounding cable Unlocking tool Crimping pliers
Unlocking tool is used for the To attach MC4 EVO2 connectors
disassembly of connectors to the inverter DC cable.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Electrical Characteristics of the PV module
Each junction box contains two bypass diodes wired in parallel with the PV cell strings. In case of partial shading, the
diodes bypass the current generated by the unshaded cells, thereby limiting the Product heating and performance
losses. However, it is important to note that bypass diodes are not overcurrent protection devices. In the event of a
known or suspected diode failure, it is recommended that installers or maintenance providers contact the supplier.
Wiring Considerations
All wiring installation should be carried out by qualified installers in accordance with local electrical construction
codes, procedures, and regulations.
All cables used to connect the DC system must use copper wires with a cross-sectional area of at least 4 mm², with
double insulation and a designation code H1Z2Z2-K (according to EN 50618). The polarities of cables and terminals
must be matched when making connections. Failure to do so can result in damage to the Product and injury to
individuals. Make sure all electrical connections are secure and tight – confirm that you hear “click” to indicate that
the connection is successful.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
The inverter cables (String [–], String [+]), the grounding and extension cables connecting the Roofit.Solar
Products should be positioned on site (i.e. between battens) before the installation. Loose cables should be fixed to
the wooden structure with the help of cable holder clips.
In order for the PV system to maximize EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) and minimize electromagnetic
radiation, cabling should be positioned in a way to minimize the area of the wiring loop.
DO NOT group together positive, negative, and grounding cables to avoid ground fault and short circuit.
Insulate bare DC cables and mark them accordingly for the time between PV system and inverter installation.
Each type of the cables should be separately routed to the protective tubes and taken to the technical room where
they will later be connected to the inverter.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
NB. Roofit.Solar PV systems must be equipped with DC arc fault circuit protection to provide protection against
fires that may arise from the arcing faults in PV system components or wiring. Therefore, inverters with arc fault
circuit interrupter (AFCI) must be used for the Roofit.Solar PV system installation.
Wiring Considerations
Voltages are additive when Products are connected directly in series, and currents are additive when the Products
are connected directly in parallel. PV circuits should be designed according to the best practice guidelines of the
relevant country.
The maximum number of Products that can be connected in series string must be calculated according to the
relevant regulations to ensure that the specified maximum system voltage of the Products and all other electrical
DC components are not exceeded during open-circuit operation at the lowest expected temperature at the PV
system location.
Additionally, the maximum number of strings that can be connected in parallel cannot exceed 2 without proper
protection. An overcurrent protection device is required for each inverter. The maximum system voltage of the
Roofit.Solar Product is 1000 VDC according to the safety assessments outlined in the IEC61730. The correction
factor for the open-circuit voltage can be calculated using the following formula:
C v oc = 1 −ß * (25ºC − Tmin)
Tmin, ºC is the lowest expected ambient temperature at the system site. ß, %/°C is the temperature coecient of the
selected Product Voc (Refer to datasheet). A properly rated overcurrent protection device must be used when the
reverse current could exceed the maximum fuse rating of the Product.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Grounding
Each PV system must be connected to the grounding cable to ensure electrical safety. All Roofit.Solar products that
are seamed with eachother are galvanically connected. Roofit.Solar recommends 2 grounding cables per roof, to
provide the possibility to measure ground connection quality.
If the building has more than one type of active surface on the roof (i.e., Roofit.Solar Products covering dierent
sides of the roof), they can be connected in one grounding circuit to minimize the number of grounding cables as
shown in the picture. Double grounding of the PV system is recommended even when applicable regulations,
code requirements and standards do not require any safety-related grounding.
The grounding should be initialized by screwing a self-tapping A2 or A4 stainless steel screw, ST 4.8 according to
DIN 7981C with a length between 10 mm and 16 mm. The screw is connected to the grounding conductor on the
uppermost metal sheet of the roof under the ridge cap. The grounding is finalized by connecting the grounding
conductors to the equipotential grounding.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
PV system installation
Accessories for installation
Flat-head Screw Cable fastening clip Bumping Mallet
4,2 x 25mm Used for fixing loose
Used for fixing fastening clips cables to the battens
Metalcutter Screwdriver M82 butyl sealant
Seaming pliers Overlapping element Electric seamer
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Installation instructions
Below, three dierent installation scenarios are presented, highlighting only the most important aspects to follow
during the installation.
Case 1 represents the most straightforward scenario, where the entireroof is covered with solar modules.
Case 2 describes an installation, where the lower part of the roof uses regular metal.
Case 3 describes an installation where the upper part of the roof uses regular metal.
Some of the steps in Case 1 are universal and won’t be repeated in the other cases. Therefore, in any case, go
through Case 1 and consult with our Technical Support for any questions.
Case 1: Roof fully covered with Roofit.Solar modules.
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Click Safety and Installation Manual
Step 1.
When installing solar modules on a roof, begin with the rightmost column and use a regular metal sheet for the first
column. Depending on the size of the roof, some of the metal sheets may need to be cut to fit properly.
Before starting, make sure to install the eave flashing in a continuous line, rather than overlapping it. It’s also a good
idea to use insulation under the regular metal to prevent issues like oil canning and noise.
Step 2.
When installing the first sheet, make sure the bottom backbend is tucked under the lip of the eaves flashing.
Then, pull the sheet towards the ridge until the lip of the eaves flashing is at the bottom of the sheet’s backbend.
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