GSE tray fixings for gutter adjacent location

[Greeners]

On my south facing roof I can fit 6 panels comfortably, in a 2 + 4 pattern, as per the pic. Just thought though, by fitting them down to the gutter I could get 8 panels in a 3 + 5 pattern. 

 

The GSE in-roof tray guidelines support this configuration, and there have been many photos of such on here and they look great. However, the MCS guidelines say:

 

5.9.7  Solar PV modules should not be mounted within 400mm from any edge of a domestic roof unless specific measures are taken to: 
• Resist the increased wind uplift forces in the edge zone through additional fixings and, where necessary, additional roof timbers for those fixings 

 

https://mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MIS-3002_Solar-PV-Systems-V5.0-Final-for-publication.pdf

 

We are in wind zone 1, but I'm not sure if the MCS wind uplift comment is more for on-roof rather than in-roof systems?

 

My roof buildup is

• 100mm rafter
• 18mm OSB
• 150mm PIR
• batten
• counter-batten
   

Any input on what sort of additional fixings are implied here would be helpful. Additional fixings would just be into the counter batten rather than the rafter.

Thanks
 

[Conor]

MCS comment is for on-roof systems, presumably. The manufacturer instructions trump other guidelines anyway. I ran ours right from the ridge down to the flat roof valley. At ridge I ran the GSE trays up and under the ridge flashing, and at the bottom I had an aluminium upstand made to go under the flat roof covering and under the GSE tray. I'd avoid the flexible GSE flashing for your gutter, use rigid instead.

Remember you can lay you panels in landscape. I don't quite follow your pattern. 

 

 

You don't need anything other than what comes with the GSE kit. Just extra 100mm battens for the fixing points, as per instructions.

Edited November 26 by Conor

[Nick Laslett]

I agree with @Conor, just follow GSE installation instructions. I self installed my panels on GSE trays down to the gutter, my MCS certified electrician had no issues with what I had done. GSE have wind loading tables to assist installation. 
 

[Greeners]

Yes, excellent. You're right the manual discusses number of clamps per wind uplift factor with tables in the doc 

 

https://www.gseintegration.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GSE-IN-ROOF-SYSTEM-Manuel-dinstallation-EN-V13.1.pdf

 

So, minimum 4 clamps per panel, although I may increase that to 6 as I am near the edge of wind zone 1.

 

Thanks for the pointers - those installs look fantastic. Esp the eaves to ridge - great way to maximize the potential

 

 

[sgt_woulds]

Don't forget to check that your clamps will fall within the clamping zones specified by the panel manufacturer too.  Clamps outside these zones may invalidate any warranty and may stress the cells/glass, and the frame may not provide the necessary uplift resistance.

 

Not all solar panels can be clamped on the short sides - best to check.  

 

One thing to factor in when installing direct to the gutter - water rushes quicker down non-stick glass than other roofing materials and a large PV array can cause undersized gutters to overflow.  Based on my own experience - and pessimism about future weather patterns - I would recommend deep flow gutters in general but certainly in this scenario.

[Greeners]

Thanks @sgt_woulds those are good observations, you're right I see the clamping patterns require either 4 or 8 fixing points. I'll leave it up to the installers to worry about that.

 

 

[Greeners]

Quote

I'd avoid the flexible GSE flashing for your gutter, use rigid instead.

 

@Conor your alu trim looks good

 

@Liam Jones said he used a double eaves tray arrangement and it looked like a clean finish

 

Edited November 26 by Greeners

[Greeners]

@sgt_woulds  your comment about deep flow gutters - it's great to have this kind of real world input, thanks

 

[LiamJones]

Yep pleased with mine so far, no issues.

[LiamJones]

Also running deep flow gutters

[LiamJones]

[Greeners]

Thanks @LiamJones that's great to see the detail of the double eaves tray and deep flow gutter, looks like an excellent solution.

 

I see you have EWI fitted - that's the next and last-ish of the big projects for me. Part of the roof refurb was to accommodate deeper soffits. I have lots of questions on this, but one thing at a time!