I have to remove three old solar panels from a two story roof. Any ideas on how to get them to the ground would be appreciated.
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Gravity still works.
Oh, you wanted to save them?
Crane or Pettibone unless they are small enough for a cherrypicker.
Couple of ? to start.... Are they water or elec. panels? I assume you have water cuz electric would be easy..Any mid floor decks or staging platforms???
Many ways to do this but here are some suggestions.
Lean a tall ladder on the side of the house. Belay yourself or some one to the roof with ropes. then run a rope thru a block and tackle...that is well secured someplace ( a large eyebolt at the ridge) use a yoke on the solar panel with yet more line and then lower them one at a time down using the block and tackle. ( this is the method in the carribean....we have lots of sailor types on our crew who are versed in lines and winches..). If you do this method you could have a guy on the ground with the lead line thru the blocks. The person on the roof would only guide it and ease it past the gutter line and onto the ladder.
If you are in an area with lots of shingle roofs, chances are somebody has a shingle lift for a ladder that would be easy.
Thanks for the reply Nuvue. The panels are water heated with copper piping. I'm sorry to say I'm not well versed in nautical terms. My first idea sounds like your idea - lower the panels down a ladder.My problem is ,What do you mean exactly by tackle etc.I have every confidence in getting the panels down - I once got an armoire in a 6 floor window and sofa and loveseat up the elevator shaft inthe same apartment in midtown manhattan.I just can't visualize the equipment with the terminology you're using.Thanks again
Hi Mickus
A block and tackle is merely a set of pulleys with line fed thru them to increse your purchase by four times. Just like on a come-along (Is that what you call them in your area?) If you use a come- along be sure it is long enough to let the panel hit ground. Sometime they only have 25 ft. of cable. Anyway you do it, be careful. Try some mtn. climbing gear maybe and ease them down a ladder that way.
Good luck...