Flat roof: long term issues?

solarcat · Dec 11, 2011

Dear all,

planning to install a PV panels on a concrete flat roof covered in gravel.

Apparently the roof soundness has last been checked about 10 years ago and we'll ask for a structural sign off before installing the panels.

The roof looks in a good state.

We want to use Consoles with paving stones as ballast.

Do you know of any long-term issues that we should be aware of? Would any roof maintenance be required during the next 25 years?

VMan · Dec 11, 2011

The concrete by the sounds of things has a felt roof on top with gravel chippings. Expected life of the felt will be 10-15 years so will more than likely need a new felt membrane in the solar PV lifetime.

Make sure the weight of the ballasts do not put too much pressure on the chippings causing the felt to puncture.

Worcester · Dec 11, 2011

Nope, we get customer to acknowledge that maintenance may be required, and as such the system may have to be partially de-installed and re-installed.

You could also look at the Wagner system - we just did 50kWp start to finish in 4 days using it. Using Concrete edging kerbs as ballast.

The UK office of Wagner is next to useless though

fortunately we deal direct with Germany.

Here's one (or two) we did earlier this week

[ElectriciansForums.net] Flat roof: long term issues?

And Another:

VMan · Dec 11, 2011

Nice Worcester,
Do you have any mounting left over, i need to mount just 2 panels landscape (one behind the other) on my flat roof (they on 15deg frames atm until i find a suitable mounting system)

Earthstore · Dec 11, 2011

I would guess that photo was taken first thing in the morning?
Have a look at the bottom row of cells on every panel (PIC 3+4).
Will not be a problem in the summer of course.

Worcester · Dec 11, 2011

Actually it was about 12:30 pm last Tuesday (6th December) , panels are widest spacing allowed for the mounting system (2.4 m front to front) panels mounted at 25 degrees, the shadow does indeed just catch the bottom of each panel, though at almost the lowest that the sun can get in the sky it will only be an issue mid / late december when you'll get diddly squat even from a 50kWp system.

@VMan, I have to clear out all our site containers on Tuesday ( we use containers as on-site secure storage) and I reckon I could probably find enough bits for a couple of panels, if you want to come up to sunny worcestershire and collect it - PM me..

powervan · Dec 12, 2011

Earthstore said:
I would guess that photo was taken first thing in the morning?
Have a look at the bottom row of cells on every panel (PIC 3+4).
Will not be a problem in the summer of course.

Earthstore except it Worcester is the KING of solar!!dont worry u can be queen? or do u prefer prince!! dont worry im the court jester

Flat roof: long term issues?

solarcat

VMan

Worcester

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VMan

Earthstore

Worcester

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powervan

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