The method we use to fix solar panels to your roof will vary depending on pitch and tile/roof material. Below are the most common methods Impact Services employs for fixing solar panels to domestic and commercial properties. Please click/tap on the images to enlarge.
Tile Roof – Pantile, Plain Tile, Concrete Tile
The method for fixing solar panels to tiled roofs remains mostly the same whether your tiles are Pantile, Plain, or Concrete.
1. The installers begin by marking out in chalk where the rails will sit to ensure everything lines up perfectly once your panels are in place.
2. Tiles are then lifted to expose the areas above the roof timbers, to which the roof anchors are then bolted. If we spot any holes or tears in the roof felt along the way, we use MSC-approved patches to ensure it remains watertight after the installation.
3. Once the roof anchors are fixed in place, the tiles are carefully put back to ensure no water ingress can occur.
4. The rails are then fixed to the roof anchors, running parallel to one another across your roof. The individual panels are then fixed to the rails.
5. We then install a flashing tile which takes the necessary wires through the roof without comprising its watertightness.
Slate Roof
We use specialised anchors specially designed for fixing solar panels to slate roofs. As with tiled roofs, the involves carefully lifting slates and fastening stainless steel or aluminium slate anchors onto the roof timbers below.
Each anchor is then covered with a roof flashing, which is nailed in place to prevent water from entering. A notch is then carved out of the removed tiles using a precision cutting tool. This allows the roof anchor and flashing to protrude when the tiles are reinstalled, ensuring that the slates fit snugly against one another when back in place.
Flat Roof
For flat roofs, we typically use what are known as ‘ballasted systems’. This involves placing tubs or rails on the roof and weighing these down with ballast (such as sandbags or concrete blocks).
The solar panels are then fixed to these tub or rails. Ballasted systems are particularly suited for flat roofs as they avoid piercing the roof or altering its structural integrity. Additionally, this approach also means a low angle can be achieved, which helps comply with planning regulations concerning alterations to the height of your property.
In-Roof Systems
In-roof systems, also known as integrated solar panels, are compatible with most domestic roof types, including slate and pantile. Unlike other fixing methods, in-roof systems sit flush with the roof tiles.
In-roof systems are rarely retrofitted to an existing roof, and are most prevalent on new-build properties, or properties where a re-roof has occurred.
Commercial Roof
Fixing solar panels to commercial roofs varies depending on the shape and material of the roof itself. The most common type of commercial roofs we encounter are corrugated or flat metal sheets.
Fixing solar panels to metal sheet roofs first involves laying out a string line to keep the installation parallel to the edge of the roof.
Brackets (small sections of rail) are then bolted directly to the roof surface. Foam on the underside of the bracket and rubber washers help to ensure it remains watertight.
