In Roof Mounting

[Energetic]

Anyone know of a flexible in roof system that would work for all panels? We've looked at a few over the last couple of years but never actually got round to doing one.

 

[dansk]

Im a fan of Renusol, its very versatile and their clips suit 31mm - 51mm AFAIK - the "intasole" system is "semi integrated" but still looks good.

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

Im a fan of Renusol, its very versatile and their clips suit 31mm - 51mm AFAIK - the "intasole" system is "semi integrated" but still looks good.

Agreed! We stock this, with black clamps if needed. We can provide some pictures of finished systems that we have previously supplied as a sales tool for you if it will help. Please get in touch for prices or any literature required.

 

[The Solar King]

There is one problem with most roof integration systems in that they currently are not tested to the UK standard BS EN 13501-5-2006, Fire Classification of Construction Products and Building Elements part 5: Classification using Data from External Fire Exposure to Roofs Tests. As such their use may not meet English or Scottish Building Regs. There are actually four different fire tests within the European standard which are market specific. The UK uses test 4.

Passing a different test may not make the product compliant for the UK for all applications. You need to have cognisance of whether the building is detached, semi-detatched, terrace etc. There may be minimum distances the array must be from a neighbouring attached building.

Main reason is the use of different types of plastic and the fact they will not self extinguish within the specified time frame.

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

We had a related query to this recently and approached Renusol for an answer which is below:

"Until recently there was no requirements for BS standards for the INSE System. As the system was approved some years ago via TUV and DIN for Installation across Europe there was no real legislation in the UK which had an official requirement for Roof integration of mounting systems.


However the situation somewhat changed recently because of Governing bodies , MCS being one of them that decided they will attempt to govern mounting system manufacturing rather than just Installers hence the birth of Document MCS 012 which will most likely become a legal requirement from September 2013 and state that all pitch roof mounting systems will require MCS 012 approval.


This of course has left Renusol to submit all our pitch roof mounting systems for the product approval scheme set up by MCS.
At present we are involved with the process of going through the certification testing through BSI who will stamp and approve our systems which will then get the MCS approval mark ( badge ).
From what I understand part of the BSI testing will involve Fire classification & construction product testing.


I am certain that Test 4 of BS EN 1301-2006 has a very similar European standard I will look into this and try and get a comparison between the two standards.


So in answer to your question there is no BS number at present but there is TUV and DIN approval and hopefully in the near future there will also be BSI and MCS"

 

[The Solar King]

I have been through this with Easyroof who are currently undergoing full BBA approval for their product. Being French, their product is tested to BroofT3. This has been submitted to BBA and accepted but will mean limitations to approved use as outlined above in terms of application. I just about lost the will to live reading and researching EN1301-2006. As renusol mention, this is the standard sited in MCS012 where there is roof integration .

I am very keen to find the optimum solution for a Scottish slate roof, where slates are nailed directly to the sarking (close boarding) without the use of battens. You can easily use a couple of hundred pounds worth of lead making soakers and flashings for J shaped brackets, not to mention all the cutting and shaping of slates for a good job. To do it properly can take an extra half day to a day. I am still not comfortable with using Solar Limpets drilled through the slates. I reckon removing the slates and roof integrating will probably be as quick as all the lead work and produce a far better job.

 

[finchy]

Interesting just considering options on a new build we are Constructing at the moment, we are just completed felt batten and now the customer wants to go with Solar so need to make decision asap. The tiles which look the best are 5x the price of panels and are 11% effecient. The integrated I dont like its too fiddly (multiple roof sufaces gabled 5 seperate roofs areas), the retro is easy to access/replace etc ...its like the old days of combi TV/Video debate, as the techonoly changes or went wrong you wished you went for seperates !

I know its personal preference but interesting to here your thoughts ....


Consider PV panels 17% effecient vs Tiles 11%

Limited space and roof not visiable...

 

[The Solar King]

Have been down this route as well. Redland tiles are prohibitively expensive. The ones from Romag are more realistic but still twice the price ordinary panels. Roof Integrated PV Systems | Romag Solar Century also have a product.

Also have a look at integrated PV panels from Viridian Solar. These hold full BBA approval as a building material. Still twice the price of a standard panel, but no need for a mounting system or roof covering, so this needs to be offset against cost. Flashing is an additional cost. Doddle to fit as flashing is just like a Velux. They come in custom sizes of 1.5sqM (240w). 2.1sqM (320w) and 3.0sqM (485w). These are monos. You can get matching Solar Thermal panels if you wish to mix and match. They are just up the road from you in Cambridge. Viridian Solar Roof Integrated solar heating and PV panels