.jpg)
FM Approvals has issued the first certification for a European-based roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system to Sika AG SolaRoof® after successful completion of the testing requirements of FM Approvals Standard 4478 for Roof-Mounted Rigid Photovoltaic Module Systems. Following last year’s FM Approvals certification of the U.S.-based Sika Sarnafil SolaRoof® system, the tested and certified Sika AG SolaRoof® system brings the first locally manufactured FM Approved roof-mounted PV system to the European market.
The key difference with the Sika AG SolaRoof® system, beyond regionality, are the use of welded clicks made from thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and flexible polyolefin (FPO) rather than PVC. This specific configuration is designed to bond to the Sika AG membranes. The remaining of the components of the system – including the SarnaRoof Mount-2 and the Centroplan-sourced modules – are consistent across the Sika Sarnafil and Sika AG SolaRoof® systems.
The Sika AG SolaRoof® system is approved for installation directly over polyisocyanurate insulation, whereas Sika Sarnafil SolaRoof® system required a cover board for this application. The Sika AG SolaRoof® system can be induction welded with the SFS induction welding system or fastened with Sika’s Sarnafast Tube SFT-50 and Sarnafast SBF 6.0 fastening system.
With this Approval, the expanded availability of tested and certified solutions for roof-mounted PV systems gives building owners, developers, and other stakeholders more options to make decisions that support the expansion of renewable energy sources while maintaining the integrity of roofing systems that are critically important to the sustainability of facilities worldwide.
We are thrilled to now have FM Approved PV systems available in both the U.S. and Europe,” states Cy Ketchum, FM Approvals’ Materials Engineer. He adds, “the availability of approved products around the world gives more and more organizations the opportunity to make their facilities resilient against the threats we see from rain, wind, hail, and other impactful weather events that seem to be more and more common as time passes.
In the face of more impactful climate events, it is often not adequate to state a property loss prevention solution will work or should work. FM Approvals testing and certification verifies that properly installed solutions will perform as expected under the toughest conditions. Look out for more updates as FM Approvals continues to accelerate its presence in the renewables space, as the demand for tested and certified solutions grows.
If your organization manufactures or is in search of a PV or other renewables systems, please visit RoofNav or contact Phil Smith (Vice President, Manager, Building Materials) at phillip.smith@fmapprovals.com.