Rooftop Solar for Factories, Mills and Cold Storage

A factory roof is a large, unused surface that sits next to a large power user. A rooftop solar system turns it into a source of power that runs while the works run, which lowers the bill without taking any floor space.

Industrial roofs differ a great deal from house roofs, so the survey and the design need more care.

Key takeaways

• The roof type decides the mounting method and the weight allowance.
• The system is sized from the daytime load and the shift pattern.
• Shade from chimneys, tanks, vents and machinery is mapped before the layout.
• Walkways, clearances and access are designed in from the start.

Know the roof first

Factory roofs are usually metal sheet on steel frames, or reinforced concrete. Metal sheet roofs take light structures fixed to the sheets or to the purlins, and the age and the condition of the sheet matter. Concrete roofs take heavier steel structures. In both cases a structural check shows how much extra load the roof can take.

Match the system to the load

A plant that runs several shifts uses power for many more hours than a shop, and a plant with large motors has peaks. We study the bills and, where available, the load profile, and set the size so that the solar output is used while it is made.

Layout, safety and access

• Keep clear of roof lights, vents and exhausts, and leave the clearances required for fire safety.
• Arrange the panels to avoid shade from chimneys, tanks and nearby buildings.
• Leave walkways and access to every row for cleaning and repair.
• Run the cables in trays that are protected from sun and mechanical damage.

What we ask at the start

1. Your bills for the past months and the shift pattern.
2. Drawings or photographs of the roof, and its age and condition.
3. The size of the supply connection and the location of the main panel.
4. Any plans to extend or repair the roof.

When to call us

Send us the details of your plant or ask for a survey, and we will recommend a rooftop system. Use the quote page, see our industrial solar solutions, or look at the solar panels we supply.