Solar panels on flat roofs are on a substructure held in place with ballast. For any roof, only a limited amount of additional weight may be added. A construction report is decisive in this regard. Despite proper installation in accordance with the substructure supplier’s ballast plan, the solar system was still not stable. This is unsafe so quick action was required.
(again) Models are not always reliable. Due to higher elements on the roof, the wind appeared to develop extreme suction at a certain angle. To prevent the solar system from “lifting” as a result, a lot of extra ballast was required. The roof couldn’t support that. Another solution was needed and was found by Everday; reinforce the field so that it functions as “a slab. Internal knowledge about mechanics, the good cooperation with a structural engineer and the supplier of the substructure led to an inventive solution.
The substructure was reinforced with cross bracing that made the field behave mechnically like a slab. Additional ballast was not necessary. The knowledge gained can be used in the engineering of new solar systems where roof carrying capacity is a bottleneck.
