Looking to take advantage of the commercial opportunities offered by solar PV? Marley shows how easy it is for roofing contractors to install its new integrated SolarTile.
Preparation and testing
Follow your normal process for preparing the roof ready for tiles. Roofing kits are provided with brackets suitable for tile battens of 25mm thickness. Electronically test each solar panel before installation using a multimeter. This will enable the installer to ensure the panels are working correctly before installation.
Step 1 – Measure out the roof to identify the location of installation of where the panels are to be installed. Open the yellow box and start with the bottom left panel. Brackets rotate into the lower slot on the panel frame. Fix the batten brackets to the left side with two 25mm screws each. Fix bottom rafter brackets to each rafter the panel crosses with two 50mm screws each.
Step 2 – Fit the sill flashing then the lower side flashing to the panel, pushing into the rubber gasket seal. Secure the edge of the side flashing using side fixing tabs and nails.
Step 3 – Open the green box and fix the combi rafter brackets to each rafter panel with four 50mm screws each.
Push the joining strip into the gasket on the top gasket of the lower solar panel.
Step 4 – Installing the second panel
Slide the upper solar panel down the roof to engage with the combi-bracket and the joining strip. Align the panels on the right corner and rotate the left corner downwards to ensure a smooth connection.
Fix the left side of the panel with batten brackets and 25mm screws. Push in the upper side flashing and fix the outside edge with the side fixing tabs. Fold the protruding end of the joining strip down over the side flashing.
Step 5 – Installing panel 3
Slide the first panel of the next column sideways to engage with the combi-batten brackets. Secure the new solar panel to each rafter it crosses with rafter brackets and two 50mm screws each.
Push the sill flashing into the gasket at the bottom of the solar panel. Slide the lower gutter between the two solar panels from the top and fold the tab at the bottom behind the sill flashing.
Step 6 – Nail the top fixing strip into a batten. Align the bottom corner of the lower gutter covers with the bottom edge of the solar panel and push the gutter covers into the gasket. Fold down the remaining tabs.
Step 7 – Open the orange box and fix three combi-batten brackets to the right-hand side of the top panel. Open the blue box and fit the upper gutter between the solar panels. Push the joining strip into the gasket in the top edge of the panel below.
Step 8 – Installing panel 4
Slide the new panel into position and fix with rafter brackets at the bottom and batten brackets to the right-hand side. Push the lower side flashing into the gasket on the right-hand side of the panel. Fit the side fixing tabs and fold over the tab on the sill flashing.
Fit the upper gutter between the solar panels and nail the gutter fixing strip to a batten. Push the upper gutter cover into the panel gasket. Fold the end of the joining strip down into the gutter.
Step 9 – Installing top flashing
For each rafter it crosses, fix a rafter bracket to the top of the top left panel and secure with two 50mm screws each. Push the top flashing into the panel gasket. Feed the two straps under the foam and secure the straps to a batten above.
Step 10 – Final touches
Remove the paper strip on the underside of the sill flashing and press down onto the tiles. Ensure that the bitumen strip is well bonded to the tiles beneath. The rest of the roof can then be installed as per manufacturer’s fixing instructions. Final electrical connection and sign off must be completed by an MCS certified installer.
Marley SolarTile can be installed in either columns or rows. The number of panels required will depend on roof size and energy requirements. To view our online configurator, or to download a more detailed installation guide, visit www.marley.co.uk/solar
MCS Certification
Looking to become MCS certified? As part of Marley’s ‘Supporting the Roofer’ initiative, all roofing businesses can claim a £50 discount on their MCS certification application in preparation for changes to Part L of the Building Regulations. Simply visit www.marley.co.uk/mcsapply
