re-enforcing roofs to hold solar panels

[drewgevaert]

looking for information on methods/software for determining requirements for strengthening residential roofs in order to support solar panels.

very interested in cabling method versus attaching additional wood members.

thx!

 

[kaisersoze]

I just did something like this on a public building but I had to analyze the roof structure for it. Keep in mind that if the panels are in "portrait" mode, then you are adding a lot of wind to the building.

I would hire a structural engineer to evaluate the existing roof.

Kaiser

 

[drewgevaert]

thx for insight, flat roofs and sloped roofs present unique circumstances, and we utilize structural engineers in many cases.

looking for alternative method of using retrofitted cables instead of timber to strengthen roof truss systems.

btw, the ontario, canada market is pushing envelope for getting solar on rooftops - stemming from highest global feed-in-tariff rates.

hence the interest in new engineering methods for structural reinforcements.

peace

 

[SLTA]

This will be a job-by-job retrofit - there's really no way to make a generic repair for this. Cables can be helpful if there are no ceiling joists or collar ties, but they won't help with the actual bending strength of the top chords of the trusses.

I'd say you need a staff structural engineer.