Flat roof install

[Noddy67]

Hi,

just been asked to quote for a first floor flat roof. Ideally I don't want to penetrate the roof felt and wanted to put ballast boxes (??) on the roof.

anyone got any experience of PV on flat roofs? Cost, hassle, considerations - i'm going to ask the owner to confirm the physical strengh of the roof so I'm less concerned about that from my perspective.

If we have to drill into the felt are there any issues regarding wind loading for the frames.

I've steering him towards his front roof but he might want about five on the flat too.

thanks in advance.

Richard

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Best not to penetrate as you only introduce problems. It may be fine, but after a few years leaks may appear, possibly not to do with your install, but the flat roof in general = who will get the blame........

If you are worried about loading, safe bet is to always get an engineer in, and as long as you have a weight plan (load over area used) they will be able to calculate quite quickly. The additional cost will put your mind at rest.

The bins are less suceptible to wind loading due to aerodynamics, weight and lower profile, so would be the safer bet.

 

[Worcester]

Console, is stand alone fully ballasted, or check out schletter's site - or flat-fix using paving slabs as ballast.

http://www.electriciansforums.net/p...els-green-energy-forum/28413-console-job.html

or Solion, same advanatage SOLION - SunMount


If you are going >5 degrees, you'll net to take into account possible overturning of the panels by wind, hence the ballast requirement.

Advantage of console and solion , very unlikely to cause any point loads, so no fear of penetration, there are loads of flat roof and membrane roof solutions, they common on industrial installs.

 

[SRE]

Don't forget you need planning permission for flats - they don't come under permitted development. Not sure why - ridiculous!

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Probably the 200mm projection rule to enable wind loading calcs to be provided.....

 

[Noddy67]

whats the '200mm' projection winding load for flat roofs?

 

[gr7]

Don't forget you need planning permission for flats - they don't come under permitted development. Not sure why - ridiculous!

Please correct me if I'm wrong but this only applies to Scotland. England & Wales is simply 200mm regardless of whether it is a flat.

 

[Noddy67]

all the consoles i've seen (not many) are going to be higher than 200mm, or I'm I enterpreting that rule incorrectly?

 

[SRE]

Please correct me if I'm wrong but this only applies to Scotland. England & Wales is simply 200mm regardless of whether it is a flat.

Nothing to do with 200mm T & C planning says flats don't come under permitted development. I found it by accident when I was checking for something else and I nearly got caught out with a flat we own.


Just read that again - I thought you were installing on a first floor flat roof - not a first floor flat roof - too many late nights doing endless paperwork - ignore the planning permission post!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Markc]

Panels should not be installed above the ridgeline and should project no more than 200mm from the roof or wall surface.

As the console or most flat roof systems will be <200mm then planning is required.

Console stands around 500mm

 

[SRE]

So I was right but for the wrong type of flat roof I need a holiday! Last 10 surveys all need planning except 2 of which 1 is on the coast and I'm having problems with salt mist testing. 8 of them are slate - aaaaagh!

 

[pvsolaruk]

Hi,

just been asked to quote for a first floor flat roof. Ideally I don't want to penetrate the roof felt and wanted to put ballast boxes (??) on the roof.

anyone got any experience of PV on flat roofs? Cost, hassle, considerations - i'm going to ask the owner to confirm the physical strengh of the roof so I'm less concerned about that from my perspective.

If we have to drill into the felt are there any issues regarding wind loading for the frames.

I've steering him towards his front roof but he might want about five on the flat too.

thanks in advance.

Richard

Hi Richard,

I can offer a solution from ClickFit with no roof penetration required.

If you can PM me some more details on the job I would be delighted to reply with some more information and a quotation for the parts.

Best Regards,
Christopher