1. GRID Alternatives Team Leader Orientation
Welcome Future Team Leaders!

2. GRID Alternatives Who? Non-profit solar installer.
What? Install solar PV systems for income-qualified homeowners.
How? Volunteers and job trainees install our PV systems.

3. Team Leaders
Who? Anyone who attends at least one installation with GRID Alternatives and attends Team Leader Orientation can begin the process of becoming a Team Leader.
What? Team Leaders manage small groups of volunteers and teach skills essential to solar PV installation.
How? Team Leaders must demonstrate mastery of a set of skills and have each skill signed off on by a Solar Installation Supervisor (SIS) before becoming a Team Leader.
Why? Team Leaders get experience in a management role and also demonstrate leadership capabilities; traits that are desirable to potential employers.

4. NABCEP Installation Requirements
Team Leaders can use their installations with GRID to fulfill the experience requirements for the NABCEP Professional Installers exam.
Depending on professional experience, Team Leaders must lead 3-5 ground installations and 3-5 roof installations (in addition to 58 hours of NABCEP approved classroom training) to become eligible to sit for the NABCEP exam. Please refer to the NABCEP Eligibility Requirements Summary Table to determine your required Team Leader installations.
Once Team Leaders have fulfilled these requirements they must contact their local Volunteer Training Associate for a letter confirming they have fulfilled the NABCEP installation requirements.

5. NABCEP Installation Requirements

6. Working Together on the Job Site
SIS
Roof Team Leader
Roof Team
Ground Team Leader
Ground Team

7. Team Leader Tools for Success
Quality Control Checklist
Single Line Drawing
Roof Plan
Inverter Manual
Module Cut Sheet

8. Quality Control Checklist
The Quality Control Checklist is an essential tool for the commissioning of a PV system. The checklist is broken down into sections referring to various parts of the installation.
Roof checklist items include:
Racking
Microinverters
Modules
Junction Box
Raceways
Ground checklist items include:
AC Disconnect
Inverter
Wiring
Electrical Panel
Labeling

9. Quality Control Checklist
Within each section
there is a sub-set of items to check.
For example,
in the module section there are boxes to check for the clamps being tight, module connections being tight, and the modules being properly grounded.

10. Roof Plan

11. Single Line Diagram Enphase

12. Single Line Diagram String Inverter

13. Module Cut Sheet
Module cut sheets contain all the electrical information for the PV modules you are installing. On the cut sheet you can find a module’s Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) Short Circuit Current (Isc) and Maximum Power (Pmax). The cut sheets also give you the dimensions of your PV module. It is always a good idea to refer to the cut sheet for module dimensions when doing your layout.

14. Inverter Manual
Inverter manuals are a useful reference when wiring or hanging an inverter. Also, the inverter manual contains reference codes in case the system does not start up during commissioning. The inverter manual should always be left with the homeowner after installation.

15. Being a Good Team Leader
SAFETY is the most important part of being a Team Leader.
Always err on the side of QUALITY over speed.
Don’t be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS.
Make sure volunteers are LEARNING and INVOLVED.
Remember you are REPRESENTING GRID Alternatives.

16. Volunteer Management (R1 & G1)
Be patient.
Keep people busy.
Be a teacher.
Don’t allow any one person or group to dominate (i.e. tool grabbing).
Make sure volunteers respect each other as well as homeowner and neighbors.

17. Being Patient…
GRID Alternatives volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and vary in skill level. For example, some volunteers may be proficient in the use of power tools while others require a bit of teaching.

18. Keep People Busy…
It is important to assign tasks and roles to volunteers so they stay engaged. Everyone has more fun when they feel they are making a contribution to the installation.

19. Demonstrate how to do something then let the volunteers do the work.
Be a Teacher…
Demonstrate how to do something then let the volunteers do the work.

20. No Domination…
Don’t let any one person or group dominate the installation.
An example of dominating the installation would be “tool grabbing.”
Again, make sure everyone is able to participate.

21. Respect…
It goes without saying that we need to be respectful of each other while working.
It is also important to be mindful of the neighbors and the homeowner.
Be careful not to trample landscaping or do any damage to the homeowner’s home or the neighbor’s home.

22. Safety First (R2 & G2) When in doubt ask! … and second … … and third…
If you ever have any uncertainty on the job never hesitate to stop and ask your SIS for help. The most important thing is to maintain a safe working environment.

23. General Site Safety Help SIS maintain safety protocols during projects
Be able to deliver the morning Safety Talk
Read and understand Site Safety Plan
Ensure all volunteers:
Sign the Liability Waiver Form
Wear hard hats with name tag whenever on site
Wear safety glasses and gloves
Put on fall protection harness early and appropriately
Emergency Response Plan
Know where to find it
Carry out if SIS is incapacitated
Help monitor site conditions
Rain, thunder, and lightning
Natural disasters – fire, earthquake, high winds
Extreme heat
Threat of violence

24. Common Safety Risks
Sunburn – Sunburn is the most common injury on the job in solar. Therefore, it is a good idea to apply sunscreen before you begin work for the day. Volunteers may not realize how long they will be working in the sun. Since Team Leaders are often times more experienced they should encourage other volunteers to apply sunscreen.
Dehydration/Heat Illness – After sunburn, dehydration is the next most common injury on the job in solar. It is critical to stay hydrated and avoid heat related illness. Make sure to take plenty of water breaks and rest in the shade when possible. Setting a water break timer is a good way to remember to take water breaks.

25. PPE
GRID Alternatives requires the use of PPE on the job site! It is your job as a Team Leader to ensure volunteers are wearing the appropriate PPE as required:
Hard hats are the first item on and the last item off: hard hats are required at all times on the job site.
ANSI Z87.1 rated safety glasses are always required when using power tools or near someone using a power tool (drills, impact drivers, and band saw).
Gloves are always required when handling flashings or other sharp objects, shingle or other abrasive objects, lumber, and during wire or rope pull.
The use of noise suppression headphones or single-use earplugs are required when exposed to excessive noise levels for long periods of time.

26. Electrical Safety Hazards
Do not plug anything in without being told.
Always treat all wires as if they are hot.
Only the SIS or a licensed electrician authorized by the SIS are allowed in the main service panel.

27. Electrical Safety Hazards
Exposure and Energized Work
Volunteers are required to keep a minimum observance distance of 3.5 feet away from any open, energized service panel or inverter.
If physically within the 3.5 foot boundary of an open, energized service panel or inverter, the SIS or authorized electrician are required to wear safety glasses and insulated gloves with leather protectors and use insulated tools.
It is always better to de-energize the power source than control the potential safety hazard through the use of PPE.

28. Electrical Safety Hazards
Microinverter System Lockout/Tagout Protocol
The implementation of lockout/tagout kits are required in order to isolate any potential hazardous energy sources on site. The SIS will implement one of the following systems in order to isolate AC sources in microinverter systems:
Lockout and tag the entire main service panel when no one is working inside.
Do not install the solar breaker until after the junction box and AC disconnect have been wired and are closed. Lock the removed solar breaker until ready for installation.
If the solar breaker has been installed, lockout and tag the breaker until the junction box and AC disconnect have been wired and are closed and the system is ready for testing.

29. Electrical Safety Hazards
Central Inverter System Lockout/Tagout Protocol
The SIS will implement one of the following systems in order to isolate DC sources in central inverter systems:
Lockout and tag all homerun connectors AND any jumper connectors that are going into the junction box immediately after crimping.
Do not install connectors until the junction box and inverter have been wired and are closed.
AC sources can be isolated in the same way instructed in the microinverter protocol.

30. Ladder Safety Make sure all ladders are tied off before use.
The proper ladder angle is a 4:1 ratio with three ladder rungs extending past the eaves.
Always one person on a ladder at a time.
Never climb a ladder with tools in your hand.
Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder.

31. Roof Safety
Never walk backwards on a roof and keep an eye out for tripping hazards.
Don’t place anything including tools and hardware on the edge of a roof.
If you drop something let it go and yell “headache” or “duck.”
If you are on the ground and hear “headache” or “duck” DO NOT LOOK UP.
Always ensure that you and your crew are implementing an appropriate fall protection system. When using personal fall arrest systems, volunteers must be secured to a lifeline and anchorage point before getting off the ladder. GRID Alternatives strictly enforces a 100% fall protection policy.

32. Power Tool Safety
Always wear safety glasses when operating power tools.
Replace batteries when they start to feel low.
Teach volunteers the difference between the impact driver and drill, and their associated safety hazards.

33. Safety Feedback Let us know how GRID is doing on safety!
Go to

34. Ground vs. Roof Team Leader
Ground Team Leaders are responsible for tasks such as hanging and wiring inverters, bending conduit, and pulling wire.
Roof Team Leaders are responsible for leading volunteers on the roof. They are typically responsible for assisting with the layout, proper installation of footings, rails, and the installation of modules.

35. Skill Set Checklist
In order to earn your orange shirt and the title of Team Leader you must have an SIS sign off each skill on the Skill Set Checklist.
There is a separate list for Ground/Electrical & Roof Team Leaders.

36. Getting Skills Signed Off
Aspiring Team Leaders should communicate with the SIS they are working with to get skills signed off.
It is important to let the SIS know which skills you would like to work on.
In the morning, either before or after the safety talk, is a good time to set goals for that day’s job.

37. Roof Team Leader Checklist
Skill Description (Must be able to train another volunteer)
R1 Volunteer Management
R2 Safety
R3 Protecting the Roof
R4 Locating Rafters
R5 Stand-off Installation
R6 Racking Assembly
R7 Junction Box Wiring
R8 Home Runs & Ground Wire
R9 Module Installation
O1 Tile Installation (Optional)
O2 Tilt-up Installation (Optional)
O3 Microinverters (Optional)
Each skill has a corresponding reference code. Once you are proficient in a skill you can circle the reference code on the volunteer sign-in sheet and have your SIS sign off on that skill.

38. Flashing penetrations
R3 Protecting the Roof
Flashing penetrations
Carpet squares
It is also important to instruct volunteers to not drag their feet or sit on the ridge.
Team Leaders should let the SIS know if the roof is being damaged.

39. R4 Locating Rafters YES! Mallet Method Rafter Tail Method
Are there any other methods of locating rafters?
YES!
If either method of locating rafters is not working, rafters can by located by looking in the attic.

40. R5 Standoff Installation
1) Cut shingles

41. R5 Standoff Installation
2) Install footing

42. R5 Standoff Installation
3) Install flashing

43. R5 Standoff Installation
Is there anything missing from this photo?
YES!
There is a washer missing.
4) Install standoff

44. R6 Racking Assembly
Prosolar Racking System

45. R7 Junction Box Wiring

46. R8 Homeruns & Grounding Wire

47. R8 Homeruns & Grounding Wire

48. R9 Module Installation Always two people (four hands) to a module.
No “solo” module carrying.

49. R9 Module Installation
Laying Module
Aligning Modules

50. R9 Module Installation
Following torque specifications

51. R9 Module Installation
WEEBs are a UL listed grounding component used to bond modules to rails.
WEEBs should be installed perpendicular to and on top of a channel nut, spanning the channel of the rail.
The “teeth” of the WEEB will penetrate the anodized coating of the module creating a metal to metal bond.
WEEBs may not be reused.
Note: Some AHJs do not allow the use of WEEBs for bonding; check your plans or ask your SIS if WEEBs are allowed for that job.

52. WEEB Location WEEB WEEB No WEEB Wiley Electrical Equipment Bond
For arrays with an even number of modules WEEBs are installed between every other module.
For arrays with an odd number of modules you will need to “double up” on the ends to completely bond all of the modules.
No WEEB

53. R9 Module Installation NEGATIVELY GROUNDED, CENTRAL INVERTER SYSTEM
WITH 2 STRINGS OF 10 IN PARALLEL
STRING 1 GROUNDED
STRING 1 UNGROUNDED
JUNCTION BOX
STRING 2 UNGROUNDED
STRING 2 GROUNDED

54. Prosolar Racking Specifications

55. Fast Jack Details 72” Maximum spacing between Fast Jacks
when using deep channel rail AND if the AHJ allows.

56. O1 Tile Installation

57. O2 Tilt Up Installation

58. O3 Microinverters Engage Cable Enphase Microinverter M215 AC Wires
Termination Cap
Disconnect Tool
Envoy Monitoring System

59. O3 Microinverters
Enphase Microinverters installed on rails, ready for modules.

60. Ground/Electrical Team Leader Checklist
Skill Description (Must be able to train another volunteer)
G1 Volunteer Management
G2 Safety
G3 Conduit Bending
G4 Inverter Wiring
G5 Inverter & Disconnect Mounting

61. G3 Conduit Bending
Line up the arrow on the bender with where you want to make your bend (Above) Apply constant pressure to the degree you would like to bend (Right)

62. G3 Conduit Bending

63. Conduit Support Two-hole Strap Strut Strap Conduit Strap
One-hole Strap
Strap within 3 feet of fittings and every 10 feet for EMT

64. Conduit Bodies LR LL LB
90 Degree C T

65. EMT Conduit Fittings Compression Connector (concrete rated)
Set Screw Connector (indoor)
Compression Connector (outdoor rated)
Compression Coupling (outdoor rated)
Set Screw Coupling (indoor)
Box Connector

66. G4 Inverter Wiring
Inverter Wiring
Power One Inverter

67. G4 Inverter Wiring
SMA Inverter
Fronius Inverter
Schneider Inverter

68. AC & DC Disconnects
DC Disconnect
AC Disconnect

69. G5 Inverter & Disconnect Mounting
Installing inverter mounting bracket.
Use at least two people to mount inverter on wall.
Unistrut mounting method.

70. Inverter and Disconnect Mounting Hardware
Fender Washer
Lag Bolts
Unistrut
Strut Nuts

71. System Complete! NO
Ready for final connection?

72. Green Light From SIS Let the net metering begin!
The SIS will inspect and then turn on the system when ready!
Let the net metering begin!

73. Happy Homeowner

74. Thank You Future Team Leaders!