Installing Solar Panels on a Fibreglass Roof
How to install Solar Panels on a GRP fibreglass roof surface
Installing solar panels on a roof is an efficient way to harness renewable energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Pitched slate or tile roofs are commonly used for Solar PV installations because the process is relatively straightforward. The small, segmented nature of the roof covering allows for easy removal of small sections, and there is a wide range of pitched roof fixing products available on the market.
Flat roofs provide an excellent opportunity for solar PV installation; however, securing the panels to the structure becomes more crucial, and ensuring the roof remains watertight becomes a top priority. To address this, ballasted systems are often employed. However, adding weight to the roof structure is not always feasible and can negatively impact the structure and other components of the waterproofing system, such as insulation and warranty.
Due to the popularity of fibreglass roofing systems like Fibrelast and Fibrecoat being used for both the new build and refurbishment markets, often there are questions about how best to secure solar PV. Some challenges need to be taken into account;
GRP offers a relatively hard, smooth surface with a low coefficient of friction, which means that in wet and windy conditions, a ballast-only array is more likely to shift which can potentially cause damage to the solar panels and the roof.
Increased ballast can cause the roof to settle or shift over time. A fibreglass roof requires a stable substrate, and any movement can lead to cracks and subsequent failure of the system.
A mechanically fixed array addresses the issues mentioned in sections 1 and two, the challenge lies in achieving a secure fixing while ensuring a long-term watertight connection to the structure.
Installation Guide
In this section, we'll walk you through the installation of our Integrated Solar Panel Fixing Points specially made for GRP and Fibreglass roofing systems.
After marking the location of the fixing points on the roof, the units can be installed. If the roof covering is an existing GRP roof or has already been laid, the surface area around the new fitting needs to be abraded to remove any existing wear coat and to ensure a proper bond. The prepared area should be at least 100mm larger than the fixing plate on all sides.
The fixing points can then be fixed back to the substrate boarding. Our technical support team can advise and supply the correct fixing necessary.
To the edges of the plate a 25mm wide tape should be applied to create a debonded strip. This helps to avoid any potential cracking at this junction.
Apply new Fibrelast base coat covering, extending from the prepared area of the existing GRP roof, onto the fixing plate. The base resin mix should cover over the whole plate and extend up to the stainless steel connection ‘puck’ in the centre of the plate. Ensure this layer is well bonded to the whole GRP-covered plate. Take care not to let any of the GRP liquid go down the threaded hole in the middle of the plate.
Finally apply the Fibrelast Topcoat, again making sure the whole area is covered and sealed. Once this coat has cured, a suitable mastic seal can be applied to the edge of the connection ‘puck’ to help ensure water does not sit in this joint.
Once this has been completed, the fixing point system offers a series of M10 threaded connection points for bolting the solar support array of your choice. The fixing point is compatible with nearly all solar rail manufacturers.
By following these steps, you can securely fix solar panels to GRP roofs, enabling you to harness clean, renewable energy for your home or business. Regular maintenance and monitoring of your solar panel system will ensure optimal performance and longevity, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of solar energy for years to come.
