Wind loads on roof-mounted photovoltaic and solar thermal systems DG 489
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Wind loads on roof-mounted photovoltaic and solar thermal systems (DG 489) was written by Paul Blackmore and published by BRE on 22 May 2014.
Roof-mounted solar systems (both solar thermal (ST) and photovoltaic (PV)) have seen a surge in popularity driven by incentive schemes and the rising cost of energy from other sources. These systems must be designed and installed to withstand wind loads, but there are no British or European Standards that give specific guidance on wind loads on these systems and the guidance that is available is limited.
The first edition of this Digest, published in 2004, presented the best information available at the time for a limited range of integrated and above-roof types of roof-mounted PV systems. Since then there has been considerable expansion in solar systems, which has led to the development of a range of installation configurations that were uncommon or unavailable in 2004. As a result, the Digest has been revised and expanded to include guidance for a wider range installations and example calculations, and it is now applicable to both PV and ST systems.
It includes guidance for installers, designers and manufacturers, local authorities, architects and specifiers in the UK, based on the Eurocode for wind actions (BS EN 1991-1-4:2005) and the UK National Annex.
Its contents includes:
- Wind loads - determining the design wind load.
- Simplified method for determining peak velocity wind pressure, qpPressure coefficients.
- Designing free-standing solar systems on flat roofs to resist uplift, overturning and sliding.
- Fixing solar modules to the roof structure.
- Example calculations.
- References.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE National Solar Centre.
- BREEAM.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Five important factors to consider before installing solar panels.
- Large scale solar thermal energy.
- Renewable energy sources: how they work and what they deliver: Part 4: Solar thermal hot water systems DG 532 4.
- Solar photovoltaics.
- Solar thermal systems.
- Solar-assisted heat pump.
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.