portable crane or hoist to lift flat panel solar collectors

Ross Goldstein

We have done about ten solar hot water jobs that each had 30 plus collectors. My job foreman asked if there is a portable hoist or lift that can be used to place the panels
into place on a flat roof. Although I know most people do it manually, some of the jobs have so many panels that it becomes tireing.

Does any one know what to use. We tried using our Hijack but it was to clumsy

thank you
Ross

hot_rod

Some options

www.levelrite.net This company has been displaying some solar panel transport ladders at the recent Solar Shows.

www.boeckeramericas.com builds a very nice one. You may be able to rent or demo one from them.

I saw a homemade version of one of these lift ladders in Wisconsin recently, gas powered I believe.

I have used a sign company in the past, around $150.00 for travel and first 1/2 hour in my area. I know some solar installers that buy used sign company crane trucks to haul and place panels. Plenty of those at the auction houses these days.

Some solar panel suppliers are actually including delivery to rooftop in the price of the package.

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