Free checklist
Rooftop solar PVRooftop solar PV rough-in inspection checklist
Rooftop solar PV rough-in is the last time the work is fully visible. Once the cover inspection passes and the walls, ceilings and slabs close, every defect left behind becomes a demolition bill. This checklist walks the rough-in in the order the work goes in, with the photo each item needs before it gets buried. Work is commonly verified against NEC (NFPA 70), the applicable building code, manufacturer's published instructions. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
- Items
- 5
- Photos required
- 10
- Built for
- Subcontractors
Who runs it
The install crew lead laying out the array, with the GC's superintendent or roofer signing off penetrations before they are hidden.
When in the schedule
After layout is chalked and attachments are set, before any modules land on the roof and while every penetration is still open to inspect and re-flash.
The checklist
Every item, and the photo that proves it
The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Copy the list as is, or load it into RTI and let the gate enforce it.
Attachment and flashing
- 3 photos
Each penetration flashed and sealed to the roof system
Flashing integrated into the roof covering so water sheds over it, sealant at the fastener per the mount maker's detail, no reverse laps.
- 2 photos
Standoffs and mounts land on structural members
Lag or structural screw engaging the rafter, truss or purlin, not just decking; layout matched to the framing spacing found on the roof.
Racking and layout
- 2 photos
Rail or ballast layout matches the stamped plan
Row spacing, cantilevers and mount count per the engineered layout; on ballasted systems, block count and placement per the zone loading.
- 1 photo
Rails leveled and splices bonded
Rails straight and coplanar so modules seat flat, splice kits installed where rails join, no gaps that break the bonding path.
Conduit rough
- 2 photos
Conduit runs and roof transitions roughed in
Conduit supported off the roof, transition point flashed, home-run pathway to the inverter and combiner established before modules block access.
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Standoffs lagged into decking or sheathing instead of hitting the rafter or truss below, so the pull-out capacity was never there.
- Flashing slid under the shingle course on the downslope side only, leaving the upslope edge exposed to run-off.
- Ballast blocks counted against the layout drawing but never checked against the roof's allowable load for that zone.
Run it with the Photo Gate
A checklist nobody can submit half-finished
Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 10 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident record behind every line.
Submission state
The gate is enforced on the server, so it holds even if the phone is offline when the walk happens.
Verified against
Common questions
- What does this rooftop solar pv rough-in checklist cover?
- 5 items across 3 sections, covering attachment and flashing, racking and layout, conduit rough. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
- Who should run this inspection?
- The install crew lead laying out the array, with the GC's superintendent or roofer signing off penetrations before they are hidden.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- After layout is chalked and attachments are set, before any modules land on the roof and while every penetration is still open to inspect and re-flash.
- Why does every item ask for a photo?
- 10 of the 5 items call for photo evidence. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
- What most often fails a rooftop solar pv rough-in inspection?
- Standoffs lagged into decking or sheathing instead of hitting the rafter or truss below, so the pull-out capacity was never there. Flashing slid under the shingle course on the downslope side only, leaving the upslope edge exposed to run-off. Ballast blocks counted against the layout drawing but never checked against the roof's allowable load for that zone.
- Can I use this checklist in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.
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