Can my roof carry solar panels?
PV arrays add permanent load and significant wind uplift to a roof that was never designed for them. Our assessment reviews the roof structure you photograph and the array you are quoted for.
What the assessment covers
- • Roof type: cut roof, trussed rafters, flat roof, slate or tile covering
- • Rafter or truss size, spacing and span, and visible condition
- • Added dead load from panels, rails and ballast, plus wind uplift on fixings
- • Whether the array is roof-mounted, in-roof or ballasted on a flat roof
What you send us
- • Photos from inside the loft showing rafters, purlins or trusses
- • External photos of the roof slope and covering
- • Installer's quote: panel count, model, weight, mounting system
- • Property age, roof pitch and approximate span
What you receive
- • Indicative risk level and confidence rating
- • Budget range for any strengthening
- • Watch points: truss modification, fixing pull-out, ballast on flat roofs, water tightness
- • Whether a structural engineer's sign-off is expected by your installer or insurer
Avertissement légal
Ce document est informatif. Il ne constitue ni une note de calcul, ni un diagnostic réglementaire, ni une validation d'exécution de travaux. Aucun avis produit par la plateforme ne constitue une note de calcul, un diagnostic réglementaire ou une validation d'exécution de travaux. Aucune décision de travaux ne doit être prise sans validation par un professionnel qualifié (architecte, bureau d'études structure, ingénieur).
Frequently asked questions
Do trussed rafter roofs need strengthening?
Often not for a modest array, but trusses must never be cut or modified without a design check. Older or spindly trusses and heavy in-roof systems are the usual triggers for strengthening.
Does my installer already check this?
Many MCS installers rely on a generic assessment. An independent structural review is worth having when the roof is old, unusually shaped, or the array is large.