Measuring up the roof size and angle for PV

[Gazap]

Just wonder if anyone could clarify that it is possible to get an accurate measurement of roof size and pitch from the ground without ladders. Is this done by laser, google earth ? As thought the most accurate way is to use a tape measure and ladders.

 

[yellowvanman]

Pitch - get an app called 'bubble', hold phone at arms length and in-line with the slope of the roof - good enough

Other measurements - count bricks, measure wall lengths etc and use pythagoras theorem.

 

[Worcester]

We ALLWAYS measure EVERY roof, don't need ladders though, seeing as you must be measuring the roof timbers (you are aren't you) you can get the pitch from them I use this:

Inclinometer for Roofing / Angle Measurement | eBay UK

You can measure the length / width easily, (inside - we often do that or outside the roof, or from the ground) and from the width, when you know the angle, and then it's a simple bit of trigonometry to find the roof slope. Take LOADS of photos with a good quality camera, (worst case if you mess up, you can always count bricks as a check)

We photo our measurements as well as writing them down (but them I'm paranoid!)

When we do the pre-install inspection we then get the ladders out to check exactly which specific roof hook we are going to use, also allows to properly identify the tile so that we can buy some spares (we now have our own stock!), and a double check on the roof dims.

Oh, get one of these too - brilliant!: 4m without drooping
STANLEY 10M FATMAX XTREME ARMOR TAPE MEASURE 533896 | eBay UK

 

[Gazap]

thanks guys big help, thought of measuring angle inside the loft, as you could also check on the timbers at the same time

 

[steve Leese]

Hi Guys, A good app if you have a iphone is called solar checker, it`s free and does a complete sap calc and gives you the roof pitch and lots of other tech data.