Panels on the roof without the ladder trips
Carrying solar modules up a ladder one or two at a time is slow, and every trip is a chance for a slip or a cracked panel. A crane lands the panels and racking on the roof where your crew needs them, so installers can stay focused on mounting and wiring.
We lift:
- Pallets or bundles of solar panels
- Racking, rails and mounting hardware
- Inverters, batteries and other equipment going to a roof or upper level
- Panels coming down for a re-roof, repair or system removal
Every lift is different. Call with the weight of the load, how far it needs to go and where the truck can park, and Don will confirm the lift.
Planning where the load lands
Landing a full pallet of panels on a roof is not the same as landing a single unit. The roof has to be able to take the weight where it lands, and your crew has to be able to work around it.
- Ask about roof loading. Your installer, roofer or engineer should decide where on the roof material can be staged and how much at once. We do not give structural advice.
- Split loads when needed. Smaller bundles spread around the roof may be better than one heavy pallet in one spot.
- Protect the surface. On tile roofs, plan for how the panels will be handled once they land.
- Secure the load. Panels are flat and light for their size. Once landed, keep them secured so wind does not move them.
Residential and commercial setups
On homes, the truck usually sets up in the driveway or street and reaches over to the roof plane where the array is going. On commercial flat roofs, the truck may set up in a parking lot or loading area, and loads can often land closer to the array location.
Things that help Don confirm the lift:
- The address and roof type: tile, shingle, foam or flat commercial
- How many pallets or bundles and roughly what they weigh
- Where the truck can park and the distance to the landing spot
- Photos of the roof, the street and anything overhead
For install crews, the simplest plan is to book the crane for the morning the crew is on site and have the material delivered before we arrive. We land everything in one visit, pack up and leave your crew to the install. If a re-roof is involved, we can come back to put the panels up once the roofer is done.
Power lines and wind
Solar jobs often sit right where service drops come into the house. Point out every overhead line when you call. OSHA's crane rules require a minimum 20-foot clearance from power lines up to 350 kV unless specific procedures are used (29 CFR 1926.1408).
Panels also catch the wind. The operator watches conditions throughout the lift and will hold off if gusts make the load hard to control. That is true for setting new panels and for bringing old ones down.
On the roof and on the ground
Before the first pick, we agree on signals with the person directing the lift. When the operator cannot see the landing spot on the roof, a signal person is required under OSHA rules (29 CFR 1926.1419).
- Crew on the roof stays clear until the load is lowered and under control
- Crew on the ground stays out from under the load and out of the swing area
- Homeowners, kids and pets stay inside or well away from the work
Fall protection for your roof crew is your company's responsibility. For the full lift-day process, see how a crane lift works.
Frequently asked questions
Can you lift a full pallet of solar panels onto a roof?
Often, yes, but it depends on the pallet weight, how far the landing spot is from the truck and whether the roof can take the load in that spot. Your installer or engineer should decide where material can be staged. Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 with the details and Don will confirm the lift.
Do you help remove solar panels for a re-roof?
Yes. When panels have to come off for a re-roof or repair, we can lift them down to the ground or a trailer, and lift them back up when the new roof is done. Your solar crew handles disconnecting and removing the panels from the racking before the crane lifts them.
Do you work with solar installers?
Yes. We work with installers and homeowners across the Phoenix metro. Installers can book the crane for install day and coordinate the start time with their crew, the same way HVAC companies schedule change-outs. Call 602-615-0712 or text 623-258-8361 with the address, load and preferred day.
What if there are power lines near the roof?
Tell us about them before lift day. Federal crane rules require keeping a minimum 20-foot clearance from power lines up to 350 kV unless specific procedures are followed. Depending on the lines and the setup, the lift may need a different truck position, a different landing spot or coordination with the utility.