Solar PV mounting systems: components, materials and roof types
A PV mounting system is the structural framework that secures solar panels to a roof or the ground, and it decides the safety and service life of the whole installation. ULAMEX supplies the complete system: mounting rails in EN AW-6060 T6 aluminium, mid and end clamps, stainless steel roof hooks, flat-roof ballast and tilt triangles, and all the fasteners, for every common European roof type. Components are CE marked and supplied to EN 1090. This guide covers what the system contains, the materials, and how to specify it.
What a PV mounting system is
A PV mounting system, also called solar racking or a PV substructure, transfers the wind, snow and dead loads of the panels into the roof or ground. On a pitched roof, hooks anchor to the rafters, rails span between the hooks, and the panels clamp to the rails. On a flat roof, a ballasted or triangle frame holds the panels without penetrating the membrane. The mounting system has to survive wind, snow and thermal cycling for 25 years or more, which is why the materials and the fixings matter as much as the panels.
Components of the system
ULAMEX supplies the full component range from one source, so a complete substructure ships on one order.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Mounting rails (PV profiles) | Span between hooks or ballast and carry the panels |
| Mid and end clamps | Secure the panel frames to the rails |
| Roof hooks | Anchor the system to the rafters under the roof covering |
| Ballast brackets | Hold flat-roof arrays without penetrating the membrane |
| Tilt triangles | Set the panel angle on flat roofs and ground mounts |
| Fasteners | T-bolts, hanger bolts, sliding nuts, connectors and earthing components |
Materials: aluminium and stainless steel
Every structural component is made from corrosion-resistant metal chosen for a 25-year outdoor life. The profiles and clamps are aluminium alloy EN AW-6060 T6, light and strong with natural corrosion resistance; the roof hooks and load-bearing fasteners are V2A stainless steel (1.4301 / 304). For coastal and high-chloride sites, A4 (1.4404 / 316) fasteners replace A2 (1.4301 / 304). Flat-roof ballast brackets are supplied in aluminium or galvanised Magnelis.
The EN AW-6060 T6 rail gives the strength-to-weight and corrosion resistance a rooftop needs; for the full alloy detail see our guide to EN AW aluminium alloys, and for the stainless grades see 304 and 316 stainless steel.
Roof types covered
The system covers every common European roof, with the hook or base changing to suit the covering.
| Roof type | Mounting approach |
|---|---|
| Pitched, concrete tile (Frankfurter Pfanne) | Tile roof hooks, rails and clamps |
| Pitched, plain tile (Biberschwanz), S-tile, slate | Matched roof hooks for the covering |
| Pitched, trapezoidal sheet | Hanger bolts or trapezoidal clamps |
| Flat roof | Non-penetrating ballast brackets and tilt triangles |
| Ground mount and carport | Aluminium profiles on a steel or aluminium substructure |
Mounting rails (PV profiles)
The mounting rail is the backbone of the array. ULAMEX rails are extruded from EN AW-6060 T6, with a hex channel that takes M8 and M10 T-bolts for clamps and connectors. A common profile is 40 x 40 mm, with a wall around 1.2 to 1.5 mm and a mass of roughly 0.80 to 0.90 kg per metre, supplied in a range of standard lengths. The rail spans between hooks or ballast and carries the mid and end clamps that hold the panels.
Mid and end clamps
Clamps secure the panel frames to the rail. Middle clamps sit between two panels; end clamps close off the row. ULAMEX supplies clamps in heights from 30 to 50 mm, which cover all standard panel frame thicknesses, including current large-format modules (400W, 500W+) and bifacial panels from all major manufacturers, in portrait and landscape orientation.
Roof hooks and fixings
Roof hooks anchor the system to the rafters beneath the roof covering, and the hook is matched to the tile or sheet type. As a rule of thumb, four roof hooks are needed per module in standard wind zones, rising to six in high-wind areas. The exact quantity follows the module size and the wind and snow load calculation to Eurocode EN 1991. The load-bearing hooks and fasteners are V2A stainless (1.4301 / 304), with A4 (316) specified for coastal exposure.
Flat-roof ballast and tilt triangles
On a flat roof the array is held down by weight, not by penetrating the membrane. ULAMEX supplies aluminium and galvanised Magnelis ballast brackets, in Z-type and standard forms, for south-facing and east-west configurations. Tilt triangles set the panel angle for optimum irradiation on flat roofs and ground mounts. The Magnelis coating gives the ballast the cut-edge corrosion protection a flat roof needs; see our guide to galvanised steel and DX51D.
Standards, loads and quality
All structural mounting components are CE marked and supplied to EN 1090; ULAMEX operates EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2 for structural steel and aluminium. Wind and snow loading is designed to Eurocode EN 1991, and the system is engineered to withstand wind, snow and thermal cycling for 25 years or more. A 3.1 inspection certificate is available on request.
PV mounting components from ULAMEX
ULAMEX has supplied the steel and aluminium trade since 1988, and the PV range is a complete system: rails, clamps, hooks, ballast, triangles and fasteners from one supplier. It suits installers, EPC contractors and solar distributors who want a full substructure on one order rather than sourcing components from several suppliers.
| What you get | Detail |
|---|---|
| Complete system | Rails, clamps, hooks, ballast, triangles and fasteners from a single source |
| Materials | EN AW-6060 T6 profiles and clamps; V2A (304) and A4 (316) stainless fixings; Magnelis ballast |
| Compliance | CE marking, EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2, design to Eurocode EN 1991, 3.1 certificate on request |
| Terms | No minimum order on standard items, volume pricing on pallets, dispatch 2 to 7 working days |
Need PV mounting components for a project? Send your roof type, module format and quantities, and ULAMEX will return a non-binding quotation with availability and lead time. Browse the PV mounting range, see our steel and aluminium supply capabilities, or contact the export desk at [email protected] or +48 504 424 761.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PV mounting system?
A PV mounting system, also called solar racking or a PV substructure, is the structural framework that secures solar panels to a roof or the ground. It comprises rails, mid and end clamps, roof hooks or ballast, tilt triangles and fasteners, and transfers wind, snow and dead loads into the structure.
What are PV mounting rails made of?
ULAMEX mounting rails are extruded from aluminium alloy EN AW-6060 T6, which combines structural strength, corrosion resistance and low weight for a 25-year outdoor life. The rail has a hex channel for M8 and M10 T-bolts.
What clamp sizes do you supply?
Middle and end clamps are available in heights from 30 to 50 mm, covering all standard panel frame thicknesses, including current large-format modules (400W, 500W+) and bifacial panels in portrait and landscape orientation.
How many roof hooks are needed per module?
As a rule of thumb, four roof hooks per module in standard wind zones, rising to six in high-wind areas. The exact number depends on module size and the wind and snow load calculation to Eurocode EN 1991.
Which fasteners do you use for coastal installations?
Load-bearing hooks and fasteners are V2A stainless (1.4301 / 304) as standard. For coastal and high-chloride sites, A4 (1.4404 / 316) stainless is specified for its higher corrosion resistance.
What roof types do your systems cover?
Pitched roofs with concrete tiles (Frankfurter Pfanne), plain tiles (Biberschwanz), S-tiles, slate and trapezoidal sheet; flat roofs with non-penetrating ballast and tilt triangles; and ground-mount and carport installations.
Do you supply flat-roof ballast systems?
Yes. Aluminium and galvanised Magnelis ballast brackets are supplied in Z-type and standard forms, for south-facing and east-west mounting configurations, so a flat roof is held without penetrating the membrane.
Is there a minimum order for PV components?
No minimum order applies on standard items, with volume pricing on pallet orders. Standard components dispatch within 2 to 7 working days from the warehouse in Poland, to continental destinations.