Installation of Solar Roof Panels in relation to their potential impact on the integrity of the roof structure and roof tiles are covered in this article:
1. Additional Structural Load
The mounting rails that support the solar panels are fixed to the roof battens beneath the roof tiles. This means that the solar panel system is secured directly to the roof substructure rather than to the roof tiles themselves.
Although a roof may have been designed to carry the load of concrete roof tiles, it should ideally be assessed by a qualified structural engineer to confirm that it can safely support the additional load imposed by the solar panel system.
From this perspective, concrete roof tiles themselves do not compromise the structural integrity of the roof. However, the additional weight of the solar panel system may affect the performance of the roof structure. Should the additional load result in deflection, sagging or bending of the roof battens, creating uneven pressure points on the roof tiles that subsequently cause cracking or breakages, such damage is excluded from the Marley Roof Tile Guarantee.
2. Modification of Roof Tiles
During the installation process, certain roof tiles may need to be modified. This is typically achieved by grinding away a portion of the underside of the roof tile to allow the solar panel mounting bracket to fit comfortably beneath the tile without lifting the tile or placing excessive pressure on it.
Once this modification has been made, the Marley roof tile has been permanently altered from its original manufactured design. Consequently, any roof tiles that are damaged or broken during, or as a result of, this modification process are excluded from the Marley Roof Tile Guarantee.
3. Roof Traffic During Installation
The installation of solar panels requires increased foot traffic on the roof. As a result, roof tile breakages may occur during the installation process. Any damage or breakages resulting from personnel accessing or working on the roof during installation also fall outside the scope of the Marley Roof Tile Guarantee.
Marley Roof Tile Guarantee
Marley provides a 30-year structural guarantee on its roof tiles when they are used for their intended purpose as a durable roofing solution, installed on a sound roof substructure, and installed in accordance with Marley Roofing’s installation specifications.
Any modifications made to the roof tiles, damage resulting from the installation of solar panels, or any issues relating to the increased load-bearing requirements of the roof structure resulting from the installation of a solar panel system are not covered under the Marley Roof Tile Guarantee.
For further information, please refer to the Marley Roofing Roof Tile Guarantee document.