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WHAT IS A SOLAR-READY ROOF?

Across the nation, rooftops are being adorned with solar panels these expanses
have become valuable plots of electricity generating real estate.

A solar ready roof is one that will make the installation of


a residential or commercial solar power system an easier task. The purpose of this
guide is primarily to assist relevant professionals in the building and construction
industry in designing roofs that are solar-ready.
Roof pitch

As it is cheaper and easier to install a solar PV array flush with (or parallel to) the
roof than to use a tilt frame; the ideal pitch of a roof is 10 to 30. In addition to help
maximizing panel efficiency, a solar PV array needs to be inclined at least 10
above horizontal to allow rain to clean the modules and to prevent the accumulation
of dirt and other deposits.
Static load

A solar panel array will exert a static load on a roof of an additional 10 15 kg/m2. In
most scenarios, this extra load will not impact the design of a residential buildings
frame as the frame will already be designed to withstand a live load of 25 kg/m2.
This may not be the case in some large cost-optimised commercial buildings; which
may be limited by a combination of static load and wind down force. In
these situations; larger purlins and rafters will be required.
Wind load

An array of solar panels is subject to uplift or down force wind actions as defined by
AS/NZS1170.2. How these forces come into play may vary as different zones of the
roof are exposed to different loads. Tilted PV arrays are subject to more pronounced
wind forces than flush mounted arrays. In most installation scenarios, uplift forces
will dictate the design of solar mounting system and its method of attachment to the
building frame.
Mounting System Fixing Method

The simplest, fastest and overall cheapest method is to affix the solar mounting
system to the building frame using standard roofing screws; assuming the
building features standard sheet metal roof cladding. Membrane roofs are not
recommended as they are very difficult to fix through.
Roof Cladding Thickness
Sheet metal roof cladding of 0.48 mm Base Metal Thickness (BMT) will be more
durable than the 0.42 mm BMT; which is commonly utilised on residential buildings.
As commercial solar PV installations require more time and traffic on the roof than
domestic installations; the thicker 0.48 mm cladding will provide a lower lifetime cost.
Parapets

While parapets can reduce wind load on nearby solar panels arrays; their presence
can also increase shading, which may significantly impact the electricity production
of a PV array.
Roof access

Solar installation and maintenance personnel need to be able to access the roof,
move safely on it and be able to access the solar array from all sides. In
residential scenarios, it is recommended to maintain a 1 m gap between the roof
edge and the array. On commercial buildings, a 4 metre gap is typical.
Commercial roofs should be provided with safe access points and also feature
harness attachments points.
Residential Solar Ready Roof Summary

SunLock, manufacturer of premium quality mounting systems, recommends using


standard sheet metal roof cladding pitched at 10 to 30 and standard roofing
screws. In a situation where a building will use lightweight engineered trusses, the
truss supplier should be requested to design and warrant trusses capable of
supporting sufficient capacity to permit the entire rooftop to be occupied by solar
panels.
Commercial Solar Ready Roof Summary

SunLock recommends using 0.48 BMT sheet metal roof cladding pitched at 10 and
fixed using standard roofing screws on commercial buildings. Spacing between
purlins should be a maximum of 1800 mm.
Where a lightweight cost-optimised frame is to be used in a building, the structural
engineer should design and warrant the building frame to allow the entire roof to be
covered with a solar PV array. This will most likely require some minor changes to
the frame; including sturdier purlins and some rafters.
This guide is based on a document prepared by SunLock manufacturers of
SunLock mounting systems. SunLock was designed by installers, for installers and
is proudly made in Australia. SunLock is wholly owned by Energy Matters sister
company; Apollo Energy.
SunLock mounting systems are used in all Energy
Matters residential and commercial solar installations. SunLock provides installation
manuals and certificates of structural suitability for download
at www.sunlock.com.au.

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