placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

Susannamac
Susannamac Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Hi, Have read a few threads about placing solar panels over passive vents that make me think that placing solar panels near turtle vents should not be a problem, but wanted some opinions and an idea as to how far away they should be.

We are building a mountain home and my husband wants the turtle vents on the north slope of the roof, since that would leave the south slope of the roof free of obstructions for solar panels in the future. Unfortunately, that means the turtle vents are visible as one drives up to the home and also from the yard where we might eventually have a gazebo and entertain. So the roof line won't be very "clean" in appearance. That isn't very aesthetically pleasing, although the turtles are brown like the shingles and fairly low profile.

If we have both panels and vents on the same roof side, do they need to be any particular distance from each other?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Susanna
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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

    Consider continuous ridge vents (and soffit vents) as well as gable vents, instead of "turtle" vents. Alternativly you could consider using foam insulation or dense pack cellulous in the ceilings and vaulted rafters. Dense pack and some foam structures do not require venting, but sometimes you have to convince the inspector of the efficacy of such a structure.

    Tony

    PS, but the way, welcome to the forum, and keep us in touch with your project.

    T
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  • Susannamac
    Susannamac Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
    #3
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

    Thanks! Will do!
    BTW: That was quick!

    Can't use gable vents since the "wall o' windows" to the West would look even worse with gable vents above them than turtle vents on the roof would. Think the builder was not a fan of ridge vents...will have to ask why. We have scissor trusses and vaulted ceiling over the great room, so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

    Again, thanks!

    Susanna
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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

    does the vaulted ceiling go all the way to the roof? Usually it is several fee below the roof if Trusses are used.
     
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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

    Scissor trusses have a low pitch on the inside thn the outside, allowing a vaulted ceiling, but allowing large cavity insualtion to be installed. As for ridge vents in a scissor tuss system I would have no problem with them,assuming they were snow rated vent structure, (although most "turtle vents" will admit snow!)

    Venting is a very complicated "science". The old school design of vapor barrier on the heated side, vent on the unheated side has been typical. Modern studies have revealed that this is problematic, since very few locales have one heated year round. For example, in many parts of the world, you have a warm side, and a cool side in the winter heatind season, the reverse in A\C season. Vapor barriers have shown the potential to actually contribute to the very same rot issues that they were designed to prevent.

    That is why many modern "green" building designers, architects and engineers hve been moving towards air barrier systems instead of vapor barriers. Examples of such assemblies are spray foam properly applied, or rigid foam (Polyiso or Dow pink or blue board) or dense pack cellulose. The idea is that the assembly is that the assembly is dense enough such that virtually no air can penetrate through it, bringing the vapor with it to condense in the assembly. By eschewing the vapor barrier, the assembly can breath seasonaly to release any moistu re that has condensed.

    Surprisingly, dense pack cellulose has a comparitively high R-value compared to loose fill or batt fiberglass, and it is competitively priced, and "green".

    Sorry to veer off track... Sort of a slow night.


    Tony
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  • solarix
    solarix Solar Expert Posts: 713 ✭✭
    #6
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

    I been in a bunch of attics. Hot climate here of course, but imho convection vents are only good for humidity control in cold climates. Way inadequate for expelling heat. Use a ridge vent for winter to eliminate ice dams or humidity, and put in a powered (solar powered of course) gable vent for summer heat.
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  • Susannamac
    Susannamac Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
    #7
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents
    westbranch wrote: »
    does the vaulted ceiling go all the way to the roof? Usually it is several fee below the roof if Trusses are used.

    Thanks for the reply. The scissor trusses are over part of the great room.Regular trusses are over the rest of the structure.

    Susanna
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  • Susannamac
    Susannamac Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
    #8
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents

    Ooops...this posted sort of generically and not to the person specifically. But basically...thank you to everyone who posted. Will take all your info into consideration.

    Susanna
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  • Susannamac
    Susannamac Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭
    #9
    Re: placing solar panels near passive "turtle" vents
    icarus wrote: »
    Scissor trusses have a low pitch on the inside thn the outside, allowing a vaulted ceiling, but allowing large cavity insualtion to be installed. As for ridge vents in a scissor tuss system I would have no problem with them,assuming they were snow rated vent structure, (although most "turtle vents" will admit snow!)

    Venting is a very complicated "science". The old school design of vapor barrier on the heated side, vent on the unheated side has been typical. Modern studies have revealed that this is problematic, since very few locales have one heated year round. For example, in many parts of the world, you have a warm side, and a cool side in the winter heatind season, the reverse in A\C season. Vapor barriers have shown the potential to actually contribute to the very same rot issues that they were designed to prevent.

    That is why many modern "green" building designers, architects and engineers hve been moving towards air barrier systems instead of vapor barriers. Examples of such assemblies are spray foam properly applied, or rigid foam (Polyiso or Dow pink or blue board) or dense pack cellulose. The idea is that the assembly is that the assembly is dense enough such that virtually no air can penetrate through it, bringing the vapor with it to condense in the assembly. By eschewing the vapor barrier, the assembly can breath seasonaly to release any moistu re that has condensed.

    Surprisingly, dense pack cellulose has a comparitively high R-value compared to loose fill or batt fiberglass, and it is competitively priced, and "green".

    Sorry to veer off track... Sort of a slow night.


    Tony

    Didn't feel off track to me! Thanks for the education!

    Susanna
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