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Not exactly. First there is a layer of membrane that provides leak protection if all else fails. The EPDM goes into the deep seal groove in the panel and then runs on top of the second row of tiles coming far enough down that it avoids the gaps at the top of the tiles. The third row then sits on top of the EPDM, fitting as close as possible to the panel. Despite the EPDM being self adhesive and to prevent potential water ingress via the top to the solar panel groove (unlikely) I will run a bead of black sealant/adhesive into the gap. I will also run it along the top interface of the third tile and the EPDM at the top. There was torrential rain this morning and even on my temporary small section the water was running down the tiles rather than entering the EPDM below. The water cannot get to the OSB but some could travel onto the second row of tiles and emerge on the outside of the third row and to the gutter. The weather has improved so I will open it up, take a video because that will be far easier than my convoluted explanation.

Thankfully this part of the country is blessed with a lot less rain than I was used to in Wales.

The problem is that 3.6kw is not big enough to cope with peak demand as in our house it goes as high as 6kw when microwave, cooker etc is on. My Enphase system is set to never export more that 150W therefore there are no circumstance apart from a defect where we could overload the local grid cables. I have no interest in exporting and buying back more expensive.

www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/scaffold-towers/diy-scaffold-towers/ The company is called BPS and the tower is excellent. Easy for one person to put up and move plus with the stabilisers it is rock solid. I could not have completed my work without it. I feel very safe working on this tower and the quality whilst not up to industrial standards is good enough for DIY.

Indeed and I did stay off the tower until the storm had passed. I worked in Singapore and had a near miss with a lighting strike whilst having a drink outside a bar. Let's just say that I spilled my beer.

www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk The company is called BPS. I wanted a lightweight tower that I could erect and drag around on my own. This fits the bill because it is light but when using the stabilisers it is extremely rigid and I do feel safe on it. The quality is DIY standard i.e. perfectly acceptable but builders on a site would want something more robust. It has been a lifesaver for me and the conservatory roof work would not have been possible without it. I have a huge roof and bit by bit I will cover it with panels.

That is an excellent idea because it is not straightforward.

I hope the finish will be better than a company because I have the luxury of being able to redo it if it is not to the level that I want. Mrs Jones is my quality control with regards to the aesthetics of the work. I have been putting tiles on this afternoon and I like the way it looks. I will put out a brief video tomorrow.

I did look into the this and they are designed to go straight onto Sarking. The Enphase micro inverters are also designed for very high temperatures but they are tucked down below the roof on this occasion. If I was to start this project again, I would have installed the panels directly onto the roof beams meaning that they would be lower and even more flush with the tiles.

The all black panels do get incredibly hot and unfortunately that does reduce their efficiency but I just love the look of them.

@@MrJonesDIY I agree 👍

It's a good point and I noted that there was a distinct wobble so you will see that in all later videos there are four stabilisers deployed and the tower very firm. Thanks for the reminder and I hope that you are fully recovered.

Thanks Mat. Very cold morning in Staines but looking forward to refining my ideas for far cheaper flashing. I ordered self adhesive EPDM yesterday. Same on I used on the flat area of the conservatory roof (Restirix) and that will no doubt form part of the flashing solution.

Thanks for the comment and I have been working on it this afternoon but as often when I really would have liked to watch the F1 it has been difficult and I have made myself some more work. I bought the TAPCO Tiles through roofing superstore simply because they have not let me down in the past.

Thanks and it was a timely lesson that not only do I need to be more careful and not take shortcuts with safety, I am also getting older and healing takes longer.

Thanks for the information and I briefly checked the Enphase website and various official responses to the query regarding IQ7 and IQ8 compatibility. It appears they cannot be mixed and a therefore a separate string with an additional gateway would be necessary. There then appears to be complexity when using an Enphase battery system and it may be restricted to the IQ8 string. The IQ7 models are still sold so as the enhanced features in the IQ8 are not essential for me, I will probably stick with IQ7 and install a battery system from a different manufacturer. Using Enphase DIY for the whole system is looking too complex and too expensive. The current from the panels is ok and this seems to be a good match with regards to efficiency.

Thanks for the information and I am familiar with Victron from my work on ships. They supply excellent chargers etc. My initial plan was to follow the Enphase route but it also looks quite expensive and they will not supply unless I am have completed the installation and commissioning course. That is a huge battery system that you have. I am only using my spare power to heat the water whilst I am without batteries because it is cheaper heating with gas and using the spare power through the night etc. My main work at the moment is completing the conservatory roof but in and then more panels and ones from garden onto the garage roof.