Sika at work

Sika SolarMount-1

PV-System Sika SolarMount-1

in Action
Development and use of Sika SolarMount-1 (SSM1)
The aerodynamic mounting system SSM1 was developed for
the successful long term use of PV installations with singleply membranes from Sika. Numerous simulations and tests in
the lab and wind tunnel prepared us for the first field trials.
So far SSM1 installations with a cumulative nominal power
of ca. 5 MWp were installed covering 90,000 m of Sika
membrane. The correct membrane selection is of highest
importance since ideally it should not be replaced during the
expected service life of the PV installation. Periodic roof
maintenance, based on a defined plan, is advisable.
As well as the classic orientation of the PV panels towards the
South it is also possible to build East-West orientated installations with SSM1. With this constellation energy production
is possible in early morning and later in the afternoon, thanks
to the West orientation of the other half of the PV panel
array. The midday peak of a South oriented installation is
reduced, which leads to a better match with the consumption
profile of typical projects. In addition many more PV panels
can be put onto the same roof, with only little loss due to the
non-optimised orientation to East and West.
Field Trials with Sika SolarMount-1
The majority of SSM1 installations were carried out in Germany, with some in other parts of Europe, on mechanically
fastened Sika membranes. Although gravel ballasted roofs
can be an option.
The next expansion will be fully adhered membrane roofs.
This application type is in preparation and should come to field
testing in the near future.
Attachment of SSM1 onto Sikas single-ply
membrane
The most important factor for Sika is the safe and sound
integration of the PV installation on the roof build-up. The key
element is the Sika-developed injection moulded, in-house
produced fastener Sika SolarClick. It is produced with similar
compounds as the membranes and is to be hot-air welded
with the membrane on site. Usually every SSM1 mount is mechanically connected with four Sika SolarClicks. Depending on
the wind loads and the position on the roof there can be just 2
Sika SolarClicks. In this case the mount is on four supporting
plates made of the same material which are connected to the
mount, they remove the need for two Sika SolarClicks.

Design of Sika SolarMount-1

The design of the connection of SSM1 on the Sika single-ply
membranes is based on wind tunnel tests by the highly specialised Ruscheweyh-Consult GmbH. Their design guidelines are applied exclusively by Centroplan GmbH who calculates for every
single project, depending on the building size and the local wind
conditions. An important feature and part of SSM1s safety
concept is the fact that vertical forces to the mounting system
and the membrane are limited to zero. This can be achieved by
the combined use of Sika SolarClicks and paving blocks that
are placed on the base of the mounts as ballast. This measure
avoids wind lifting of the whole PV installation in the case of
mechanically fastened membranes and protects membrane and
fasteners, as well as the PV panels, from long term damage
caused by wind.
Installation
SSM1 is a flexible system thanks to several variants for 1 to 8
PV modules. It can adapt to the given roof shape or be placed
around obstacles such as roof lights etc. There are few components involved and installation is easy and quick.
Sika SolaRoof
Under the label Sika SolaRoof Sika can offer all of the required roof materials for a reliable roof build-up. This includes
the core product, the waterproofing membranes as well as vapour control layers (e.g. Sarnavap), high compressive strength
thermal insulation boards (e.g. Sikatherm), fasteners, metal
sheets, adhesives, gullies and other accessories like lightning
rod connectors and man-safe protection materials.
Durability
The criteria for issuing a Sika guarantee and the determination
of its duration (max. 20 years) in the case of new membrane
installation or refurbishment with SSM1 are as follows:
Type and thickness of the Sika membrane
Compression strength of the thermal insulation
PV design, installation layout, ballasting plans and lightning
protection concept by Centroplan GmbH
The installation of both membranes and Sika SolarClick needs
to be carried out by a Sika certified installer
The installation of the electrical components of the project
(PV panels, inverters, cables etc.) as well as all other components of the SSM1 needs to be carried out by a qualified PV
installer
Job site acceptance reports for roof and PV installation
SSM1 installations on existing Sika membranes are possible up
to a membrane age of 3 years. Nevertheless in this case a Sika
guarantee for SSM1 is not possible but the material compatibility between membrane and Sika SolarClick can be stated, and
the initial membrane guarantee can go on as planned.

sika at work
Sika SolarMount-1

SELECTION OF PICTURES SHOWING SSM1 PROJECTS AND DETAILS

Installation with PV panels oriented to South

Installation with PV panels oriented East-West

Sika SolarMount-1 before mounting of wind deflectors and PV modules

Attaching of the membrane by gravel ballast

The SSM1 mount is placed on the Sika SolarClick fasteners

Installed SSM1 arrays with aero dynamic wind deflectors

sika at work
Sika SolarMount-1

Completed projects with SSM1

The table shows the SSM1 installations in Germany and other countries completed by early February 2014:
Location of installation

Building type

D = Germany / B = Belgium
CZ = Czech Republic / E = Spain

Sika single-ply membrane

Data concerning SSM1 PV installation

Thickness
[mm]

Fastening

Orientation

Nominal
Power [kWp]

Roof Area
[m]

Number of
Sika SolarClick

Installation date

FPO Membranes
Kassel, D

Shopping Center

2.0

Gravel

South

107.8

2'500

1'712

November 2012

Beverstedt, D

Logistic Center

1.8

Mechanical

South

999.9

1'8000

8'724

March 2013

Gangelt, D

Distribution Center

1.8

Mechanical

South

71.52

1'780

1'140

April 2013

Everswinkel, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

99.45

1'380

585

May 2013

Essen-Burgaltendorf, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

90.27

1'015

531

May 2013

Herten, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South /
East-West

409.75

14'130

5'169

June 2013

Madrid, E

Production Building

2.0

Mechanical

South

11

200

80

Juli 2013

Erwitte, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

140.5

1'580

843

July 2013

Wickede-Ruhr, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

133.5

1'650

801

July 2013

Werl, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

97.5

1'525

585

July 2013

Issum, D

Small Business

2.0

Mechanical

East-West

16.5

310

264

July 2013

Bad Bederkesa, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

94.25

1'700

1'812

September 2013

Hilden, D

Shop

2.0

Mechanical

East-West

112

1'638

672

September 2013

Stuttgart, D

Shop

2.0

Mechanical

East-West

88

1'437

525

September 2013

Bochum, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

108

1'411

648

October 2013

Velbert, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

121.5

1'528

729

October 2013

Fahrdorf, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

87

1'623

1'448

October 2014

Burghausen, D

Residential

Mechanical

South

115

60

November 2013

Knzel, D

Residential

Mechanical

South

8.75

185

105

December 2013

Berlin, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

97.9

1'388

576

December 2013

Essen-Holsterhausen, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

62.7

1'444

738

December 2013

Berlin, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

57.2

1'104

660

December 2013

Berlin, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

59.8

1'092

690

December 2013

Marburg, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

East-West

170

1'849

1'020

January 2014

Schwbisch-Hall, D

Shop

Mechanical

East-West

86

1'320

516

January 2014

Berlin-Kladow, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

64.3

1'170

768

January 2014

Bad Schartau, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

82.9

1'495

957

January 2014

Jette, B

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

30

750

750

January 2014

Sant Joan Despi, E

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

70.3

1'400

1'500

January 2014

Lbeck, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

82.3

1'500

987

February 2014

Kempen, D

Wholesale Center

1.5

Mechanical

South

999.9

20'000

10'912

March 2013

Bad Waldsee, D

Shop

1.8

Mechanical

South

99.2

2'500

1'044

April 2013

Kelsterbach, D

Shop

1.5

Mechanical

East-West

114

1'465

912

August 2013

Moravsk Budjovice, CZ

Residential

1.5

Mechanical

South

8.5

150

144

September 2013

Geilenkirchen, D

Fitness Center

Mechanical

South

21.0

416

287

November 2013

Our most current General Sales Conditions shall apply.

Please consult the Data Sheet prior to any use and processing.

Sika Services AG
Tffenwies 16
CH-8048 Zrich
Switzerland

Contact
Phone +41 58 436 40 40
Fax
+41 58 436 78 99
www.sika.com

Sika Services AG / Roofing/ CMDL / 11. 2013 / 740 / ID: 46151

PVC Membranes