This installation tip is provided by Brandon Carrasco, director of customer solutions for Unirac
It’s painful to watch installers climb down ladders multiple times an hour to grab more hardware before climbing back up only to realize they forgot something else down below.
A crew with a good process and the right hardware operates like a well-oiled machine. Steps are repeatable, preventing errors. DOWNTIME has been reduced.
DOWNTIME is an acronym used in “lean” production. Each letter stands for one of the eight types of waste in any process. The graphic shows a summary of each type of waste. Here are a few more tips on how to improve solar installation.
Standardize how work is done – Installation, and each step within, should be the same every time. Tool and inventory layouts on the truck should be standardized. Common tools and parts should be in the same place. This is especially important for crews with floating members.
Plan ahead and stage materials – Think ahead for each step. Get the right materials, staged in the right place, in the right quantity every time. Every crew member should know their role and the jobs getting done immediately before and after their role.
Transport materials efficiently – The biggest waste of time is trips back and forth to the warehouse. Also be sure to plan ahead to minimize the number of trips up and down a ladder to convey material to the roof.
Choose the right components – Look for racking that reduces the number of installation steps and requires few, if any, tool changes. Design with parts that are easy to assemble. Also look for components that are pre-assembled and come packaged or kitted in quantities that work for the job type.
Take your installs to the next level
It takes commitment and time with crews to ingrain these tips into everyday workflows. Lean principles have made dramatic improvements in manufacturing. Apply them to an installation business to see dramatic increases in profitability and quality. Making the effort, using the right products and having manufacturer support will help take a team to the next level.
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