SnapNRack Mounting BOM calculator

Summary

OpenSolar's integration with SnapNRack allows you to quickly calculate the mounting components required for pitched-roof solar installations.

Using the integrated calculator, you can configure your mounting system, calculate maximum attachment spacing, and automatically generate a detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) in seconds.

Once your BOM is ready, you can review the required components and order them directly through OpenSolar Shop, simplifying your design and procurement process.

Table of Contents

1. Set Up Your Solar Design
2. Select a Compatible Roof Type
3. Select the SnapNRack Mounting System
4. Calculate Maximum Attachment Spacing
5. Configure Your Mounting Components
6. Review Your Bill of Materials and Order Through Shop

Step 1: Set Up Your Solar Design

Before configuring your mounting system, ensure that you have added the solar panels to your design.

1. Open your project in Design.
2. Add the solar panels to the roof.
3. Navigate to the Mounting tab.
4. Under Selected Mounting System Type, select On-Roof.

Important: SnapNrack UltraRail is only available for On-Roof mounting, and only for US organisations. It is not available for In-Roof, Flat-Roof, or Ground. The array must be flush to the roof (no tilt rack). Roof slope can be from 0 to 60 degrees. Flat coverings such as membrane, tar and gravel, and flat concrete are still On-Roof when the array is flush.

Step 2: Select a Compatible Roof Type

Under Roof Type, select the roofing material that matches your installation.

SnapNRack supports the following roof types:

• Composition / Asphalt Shingle
• Flat Concrete
• Flat Foam
• Membrane EPDM
• Membrane PVC
• Membrane TPO
• Metal Shingle
• Metal Standing Seam
• Metal Tin / Colorbond
• Rolled Asphalt
• Tar and Gravel / Bitumen
• Tile Clay / Terracotta
• Tile Concrete
• Trapezoidal
• Wood / Shake Shingle

Note: SnapNRack is only available for the compatible roof types listed above. Ensure that the correct roof type is selected before proceeding.

Step 3: Select the SnapNRack Mounting System

Once you have selected a compatible roof type:

1. Locate the mounting system selection.
2. Select SnapNRack UltraRail.
3. Review the compatibility notice displayed in the design interface.

Panel Compatibility Notice

When SnapNRack UltraRail is selected, OpenSolar displays a reminder that panels must be UL-certified to be compatible with SnapNRack.

This is an informational notice only and does not require any additional action within the Design interface.

However, you should verify that the selected panels meet the applicable certification and mounting compatibility requirements before installation.

Step 4: Calculate Maximum Attachment Spacing

OpenSolar integrates with PZSE to help calculate the maximum allowable attachment spacing for your mounting system.

This calculation helps determine appropriate installation spacing and informs the quantity of roof attachments required for your project.

How to Calculate Attachment Spacing

1. Open the mounting configuration dialog.
2. Review all the available project and installation inputs.
3. Ensure that the information entered accurately reflects your installation requirements.
4. Return to the top of the configuration dialog.
5. Click Calculate Max Attachment Spacing.
6. Review the calculated results before proceeding.

Important: Accurate project inputs are essential for reliable attachment spacing calculations. Verify the information before generating your Bill of Materials.

Step 5: Configure Your Mounting Components

After calculating the maximum attachment spacing, you can customize your SnapNRack mounting system using the available dropdown menus and configuration fields.

Review and configure the following options:

Prioritizing Domestic Content

The Prioritise Domestic Content? setting allows you to prioritize components that have domestic content substitutes.

• Yes: Where a domestic content substitute is available, the substitute component will be included in the BOM.
• No: Domestic content substitution will not be prioritized.

Note: Selecting "Yes" does not guarantee that every component in the BOM meets domestic content requirements. Review the final component list to verify eligibility for any applicable domestic content incentives.

Step 6: Review Your Bill of Materials and Order Through Shop

Once your mounting system has been configured, OpenSolar automatically generates a Bill of Materials (BOM) based on your design, attachment spacing calculations, and selected components.

Review Your BOM

Before proceeding with your order:

1. Review the automatically generated mounting components.
2. Verify that the component selections match your installation requirements.
3. Check the component quantities and configuration.
4. Make any necessary adjustments to your mounting system.
5. Review the updated BOM.

Order Through OpenSolar Shop

Once you are satisfied with your Bill of Materials, proceed to OpenSolar Shop to order the required mounting components.

This integration helps streamline the process from solar design to material procurement, reducing the need to manually calculate and compile mounting parts.

Important Considerations

• Mounting System: SnapNRack UltraRail is available only for supported On-Roof (Pitched Roof) systems.
• Roof Compatibility: A compatible roof type must be selected.
• Panel Certification: Panels must meet the applicable UL certification and SnapNRack compatibility requirements.
• Attachment Spacing: Verify project inputs before running the PZSE calculation.
• Domestic Content: Domestic content substitutes are used when available and when the option is enabled.
• BOM Verification: Always review the generated components and quantities before placing an order.

Troubleshooting

SnapNRack UltraRail is not available

Verify that:

• On-Roof is selected as the mounting system type.
• Your selected roof type is included in the supported roof types.
• Solar panels have been added to your design.

Attachment spacing results appear incorrect

Review the inputs in the mounting configuration dialog and ensure they accurately reflect your project. Run Calculate Max Attachment Spacing again after correcting any information.

Domestic content components are not appearing

Confirm that Prioritise Domestic Content? is set to Yes.

Domestic content substitutes will only be included when an applicable substitute is available.

My Bill of Materials does not match my expected quantities

Review your panel layout, mounting configuration, attachment spacing calculations, and component selections. Make any necessary adjustments and review the resulting BOM.