Standing Seam PV System

[JohnParf]

I'm building a house with large east facing standing seam 15 degree rooves. 

 

My architect is keen for me to consider an integrated standing seam PV system. 

 

I also have a flat roof area above the bedrooms that is hidden from the front elevation that could house a conventional flat roof PV system. 

 

Does anyone have any experience of the standing seam PV systems and the relative costs compared to a more conventional panel system. Is it like PV slates where the aesthetics blows the payback out of the water.

[SteamyTea]

Can't really comment on cost, but it probably limits the size of panels you can incorporate into the roof.

 

Do a costing with a roof integrated system i.e. GSE.

 

Then tell your architect to stop spending your money.

 

Also look at the estimated yield from PVGIS as the angles are not optimal.

 

 

[sgt_woulds]

The only time we ever had PV panels come off was with a zinc standing seam roof.

 

To be fair, the panels didn't come off the roof, the whole roof detached from the building and landed in a field about a quarter of a mile away. 

 

[Wish I'd seen it happen - the roof was about 4 football fields in size and it landed in one, (rather twisted) piece].

 

It seems that the roofers hadn't used the correct number of fixings per metre specified by the structural engineer to counter the PV uplift.

 

In any contract, always ask for photos of the completion of any key stage to prove that instructions have been followed.  And ensure that a structural engineer confirms the roof design. 

 

Don't rely on an architect for this aspect - they know next to nothing about how a building is put together.  

 

 

[IanR]

14 hours ago, JohnParf said:

Does anyone have any experience of the standing seam PV systems and the relative costs compared to a more conventional panel system. Is it like PV slates where the aesthetics blows the payback out of the water.

 

Only "theory" not put into practice.

 

Typical PV panels could be installed for the same or slightly less, using S5 bracketry and avoiding a full frame.

 

https://www.s-5.com/products/solar-panels-on-metal-roof-pvkit-2-0/?_gl=1*e60zsa*_up*MQ..*_ga*NjE4NTUzMDA2LjE3NDExNzkwNzQ.*_ga_PCT1SK6CMV*MTc0MTE3OTA3My4xLjEuMTc0MTE3OTA4NS4wLjAuMA..

 

I agreed this wouldn't effect warranty with the roof installers before the standing seam was installed.

 

I also looked at flexible bonded PV panels. You can get them preinstalled on steel trays, or retrofitted onto other standing seam materials. I looked at retro-fitting. Costs were higher, performance less efficient, and they had no rework plan should you want to replace the 25 year life PV on your 60 year life roof.

 

https://bipvco.com/flextron/

 

This is the one job I have procrastinated most on and have now decided to go with a ground mount array.

[Kelvin]

I elected not to fit PV panels to my standing seam roof for a few reasons. It’s a nice looking thing so didn’t want to spoil the look. I didn’t want the fire risk. I didn’t want any penetrations through the roof. I didn’t want it damaged. I had read about them coming off or the roof lifting off in high winds and we are in an exposed location. Fortunately I have the space to ground mount them. 

Edited March 5 by Kelvin

[SteamyTea]

2 minutes ago, IanR said:

decided to go with a ground mount array.

 

1 minute ago, Kelvin said:

Fortunately I have the space to ground mount them. 

Do you still have to get planning permission for system greater than 9 m².

I have also never known if that is the area of the panels, or the ground area, or even if a contiguous installation only.

[IanR]

1 minute ago, SteamyTea said:

 

Do you still have to get planning permission for system greater than 9 m².

I have also never known if that is the area of the panels, or the ground area, or even if a contiguous installation only.

 

I'd assumed it was PV array area. Max height 4m and 5m distance from boundaries.

Mines not going within the defined domestic curtilage, so I'm going to need planning anyhow.

[Kelvin]

32 minutes ago, SteamyTea said:

 

Do you still have to get planning permission for system greater than 9 m².

I have also never known if that is the area of the panels, or the ground area, or even if a contiguous installation only.

Regardless of size I need to get planning permission anyway. It’s a condition of our original planning approval. 

[Nickfromwales]

15 hours ago, JohnParf said:

My architect is keen for me to consider an integrated standing seam PV system.

There are few people out there who would integrate an in-roof PV array with a standing seam roof covering. Only true solution is BIPV, which is OK to look at and I guess a reasonable solution. No idea how long these things last though, but I imagine if one snuffs it you'd just stick the replacement one on top of the dead one, if you couldn't get the thing to come off without causing damage / voiding roof warranty.

 

Ground mount is a good option IMHO, but you do need a fairly open plot and a lot of clear landscape around you to make that work.

 

Also, regarding PP, there is a BIG difference between ground mount (the panels laying on the ground) vs putting these on the roof of an outbuilding, so each is a different subject for a different scenario.

 

Outbuildings could be 1.5 storeys and have in/on roof solar on them, without much annoyance to the PP dept for eg, but they may poop the bed over a ground mount?!?

[Owain1602]

I'm not sure if this is new (it wasn't on the Catnic website six months ago), but Catnic has a system called SolarSeam.

 

https://catnic.com/products/urban/solarseam

 

No personal experience with it, but I'm considering it for our build.

[Nickfromwales]

1 minute ago, Owain1602 said:

I'm not sure if this is new (it wasn't on the Catnic website six months ago), but Catnic has a system called SolarSeam.

 

https://catnic.com/products/urban/solarseam

 

No personal experience with it, but I'm considering it for our build.

That’s BIPV, so please, if you get a quote, can you upload here so we can compare? 
 

Doesn’t look at all bad tbh, better than the half length panels for sure.

[TonyPenarth]

I'm also looking to install standing seam solar on a new build roof. I can share some of the quotes I have received. As @Nickfromwales pointed out the catnic system is bipvco, i have struggled to get a quote from a catnic installer to do the work, as they aren't very experienced at these type of installs. My understanding is that they send the panels to bipvco for them to stick them on the panels! 

 

I did manage to get a quote from bipvco for their solar film/panels which was coming in at £11,500 for 7kw, supply only.

 

I have also been in contact with  https://vertix.systems/# they make their own standing seam system (fabricated from catnic steal) and also use bipvco which you have to source yourself, their system is supply only and their pricing seems reasonable.  They are just in the process of releasing there own solar inserts that are stuck on during manufacture but are glass pv( they are not MCS compliant), its not on their website but you need to contact them directly,  specs are below : 

 

Size: 410mm W x 2250mm L 

158kw Per Module 

£150 per module

10 yrs installation warranty 

25yrs performance guarante

At that price 7kw will cost £6600.

 

You would also need to purchase their roofing system, materials including guttering and down pipes for a roof 230m2 is coming in at £14k.

 

My only problem is finding someone to install the roof, their recommended supplier has come in with a quote of £19k labour only installation!

 

The other option is Roofit, there are a few suppliers in the UK, supply and install is coming in at around £50k for 7kw.

 

If anyone can recommend reasonably priced installer in South Wales I would be very grateful.

 

 

 

 

[Nickfromwales]

33 minutes ago, TonyPenarth said:

I'm also looking to install standing seam solar on a new build roof. I can share some of the quotes I have received. As @Nickfromwales pointed out the catnic system is bipvco, i have struggled to get a quote from a catnic installer to do the work, as they aren't very experienced at these type of installs. My understanding is that they send the panels to bipvco for them to stick them on the panels! 

 

I did manage to get a quote from bipvco for their solar film/panels which was coming in at £11,500 for 7kw, supply only.

 

I have also been in contact with  https://vertix.systems/# they make their own standing seam system (fabricated from catnic steal) and also use bipvco which you have to source yourself, their system is supply only and their pricing seems reasonable.  They are just in the process of releasing there own solar inserts that are stuck on during manufacture but are glass pv( they are not MCS compliant), its not on their website but you need to contact them directly,  specs are below : 

 

 

Size: 410mm W x 2250mm L 

158kw Per Module 

£150 per module

10 yrs installation warranty 

25yrs performance guarante

 

At that price 7kw will cost £6600.

 

You would also need to purchase their roofing system, materials including guttering and down pipes for a roof 230m2 is coming in at £14k.

 

My only problem is finding someone to install the roof, their recommended supplier has come in with a quote of £19k labour only installation!

 

The other option is Roofit, there are a few suppliers in the UK, supply and install is coming in at around £50k for 7kw.

 

If anyone can recommend reasonably priced installer in South Wales I would be very grateful.

 

 

 

 

I may know of someone. I’ll have to check. Carm’s way iirc. I’ll PM you. 

[Furnace]

On 05/03/2025 at 18:48, TonyPenarth said:

I'm also looking to install standing seam solar on a new build roof. I can share some of the quotes I have received. As @Nickfromwales pointed out the catnic system is bipvco, i have struggled to get a quote from a catnic installer to do the work, as they aren't very experienced at these type of installs. My understanding is that they send the panels to bipvco for them to stick them on the panels! 

 

I did manage to get a quote from bipvco for their solar film/panels which was coming in at £11,500 for 7kw, supply only.

 

I have also been in contact with  https://vertix.systems/# they make their own standing seam system (fabricated from catnic steal) and also use bipvco which you have to source yourself, their system is supply only and their pricing seems reasonable.  They are just in the process of releasing there own solar inserts that are stuck on during manufacture but are glass pv( they are not MCS compliant), its not on their website but you need to contact them directly,  specs are below : 

 

 

Size: 410mm W x 2250mm L 

158kw Per Module 

£150 per module

10 yrs installation warranty 

25yrs performance guarante

 

At that price 7kw will cost £6600.

 

You would also need to purchase their roofing system, materials including guttering and down pipes for a roof 230m2 is coming in at £14k.

 

My only problem is finding someone to install the roof, their recommended supplier has come in with a quote of £19k labour only installation!

 

The other option is Roofit, there are a few suppliers in the UK, supply and install is coming in at around £50k for 7kw.

 

If anyone can recommend reasonably priced installer in South Wales I would be very grateful.

 

 

 

 

Have you decided on a way forward? I've got space for about 20kW on a standing seam roof (not yet built) and am curious about options other than S-5 brackets and regular panels

Edited Wednesday at 18:21 by Furnace

[Kelvin]

I looked at all of the above plus a different system (can’t find the details) and gave up in the end. We live atop a hill and I wasn’t confident the panels would last the test of time. Fortunately I have enough space for a ground mounted array but it needs to get over a burn and up a cliff face. 

[saveasteading]

On a standing seam roof is OK IF they know how to fix it.

I don't think the majority of installers do.

The wind load can be huge in sucking the panels and trying to rip out the fixings. So ask.

I'd hope to see sturdy brackets and rails made for the purpose. Probably fixed to seams rather than flats.

Or (guessing here) long screws through to purlins or rafters.

 

[Nickfromwales]

28 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

I looked at all of the above plus a different system (can’t find the details) and gave up in the end. We live atop a hill and I wasn’t confident the panels would last the test of time. Fortunately I have enough space for a ground mounted array but it needs to get over a burn and up a cliff face. 

One ground mount we did was 135m away from the property, so as long as you jump the size of the SWA cable up to combat voltage drop (and export A/C not D/C) distance isn’t a show stopper.

 

Compromises vs necessity etc. 

[Kelvin]

2 hours ago, saveasteading said:

On a standing seam roof is OK IF they know how to fix it.

I don't think the majority of installers do.

The wind load can be huge in sucking the panels and trying to rip out the fixings. So ask.

I'd hope to see sturdy brackets and rails made for the purpose. Probably fixed to seams rather than flats.

Or (guessing here) long screws through to purlins or rafters.

 

This was exactly my concern. Three installers I spoke with had never actually installed onto a standing seam roof so I didn’t want to be the first. They suggested screwing through into the timbers but I didn’t want any penetrations through the metal roof either. Plus the standing seam roof is a nice looking thing and PV panels aren’t. 

[SteamyTea]

11 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

They suggested screwing through into the timbers

Did they now, quite worrying really.

 

https://bssa.org.uk/bssa_articles/bimetallic-galvanic-corrosion/

 

Edited 18 hours ago by SteamyTea

[JohnMo]

May have missed it h not read whole thread, but what about proper standing seam clamps

 

https://www.renusol.com/en/solar-panel-mounting/metal-roof/standing-seam-connections/

[saveasteading]

24 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

proper standing seam clamps

That is the proper way. But the contractors should know that, and if they don't.....what else don't they know?

Plus it is now tugging the panels off...are they fixed well enough?

[Kelvin]

5 hours ago, JohnMo said:

May have missed it h not read whole thread, but what about proper standing seam clamps

 

https://www.renusol.com/en/solar-panel-mounting/metal-roof/standing-seam-connections/

Yes this was the other system I looked at. I have one of the clamps somewhere and we tried it out on a mock up. 
 

You see PV panels on commercial metal roofs that must use similar clamping systems so clearly works. 

[Kelvin]

6 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

Did they now, quite worrying really.

 

https://bssa.org.uk/bssa_articles/bimetallic-galvanic-corrosion/

 

Exactly. My first Lotus Elise had this problem on the aluminium floor pan and the cars were all subject to a recall. 

[saveasteading]

22 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

commercial metal roofs that must use similar clamping systems so clearly works

It works. 

Most are probably fixed properly.

Because they haven't been sucked off the roof yet doesn't mean that they won't.

[SteamyTea]

1 hour ago, Kelvin said:

Lotus

Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious.

55 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

sucked off the roof

Whose Ruth?

Edited 10 hours ago by SteamyTea