01
Mounting structures
Review load paths, member sizing, stability, connections and deflection against the agreed design basis.
Explore service ↗Solar engineering
Structural clarity for solar projects.
From mounting structures and foundations to rooftop assessments and equipment load checks, the right engineering questions should be answered before procurement and installation decisions are fixed.
Areas of support
Look at the system, not just one component.
Solar structures transfer loads from modules and rails through supports, connections and foundations. The actual review depends on the system type, site conditions and agreed scope.
02
Rooftop assessments
Understand the existing roof, supporting structure, anchorage and additional solar loads before installation.
Explore service ↗03
Foundations
Coordinate foundation design with structural reactions and project-specific geotechnical information.
Explore service ↗04
Feasibility and layout
Identify layout constraints and missing technical inputs before detailed design and procurement are locked.
Explore service ↗05
Equipment load checks
Review additional loads from proposed cleaning or maintenance equipment when reliable product and structural information is available.
Explore service ↗06
Site coordination
Keep site questions, drawing revisions and the agreed engineering responsibilities visible to the wider team.
Explore support ↗Before detailed design
Useful inputs make the review more reliable.
Not every project has a complete information set on day one. The important part is to be clear about what has been verified and what still needs to be supplied.
Project and site information
Location, site layout, terrain or rooftop type, access constraints and the current stage of the project help establish the design context.
System and equipment details
Module data, mounting geometry, support spacing, equipment weights and the proposed arrangement help define the loads and structural interfaces to review.
Existing drawings and reports
Structural drawings, surveys, condition records and geotechnical reports can be important. Their revision and reliability should be checked against the actual site.
Required deliverables
Clarify whether the need is an early review, detailed design, calculation package, drawings, site support or another defined output.
Preliminary review is not the same as final design.
Early engineering can help identify constraints and questions while the project is still taking shape. Final recommendations need to reflect project-specific criteria, verified information and the agreed design responsibility.
Send a project enquiry ↗Good questions to ask
Solar engineering questions, answered
Common questions about site information, assessments and design decisions.
What information is useful for solar mounting-structure design?
Start with the project location, array layout, module and mounting details, support arrangement, relevant wind criteria and any available geotechnical information. The exact inputs depend on whether the structure is ground-mounted, rooftop or part of an existing installation.
Can the same mounting-structure design be used at every site?
Not safely by default. Location, wind exposure, array geometry, support spacing, ground conditions and installation details can all change the design. A previous design may help as a reference, but the project-specific criteria still need to be checked.
Why is a rooftop assessment needed before adding solar panels?
The roof must transfer the new system's weight, maintenance loads and wind effects through the existing structure. Its condition, original design, load path and anchorage matter, so appearance alone cannot confirm capacity.
When is geotechnical information important?
It matters whenever the proposed system transfers loads to the ground and foundation design depends on soil behaviour. If a soil report is not available, that gap should be discussed early rather than assuming one foundation solution will suit every location.
Can you help when a project is still at feasibility stage?
Early-stage support can help flag structural questions and the information needed for a more detailed assessment. Any preliminary observations should be clearly distinguished from final design deliverables.