PUNCH has undertaken up to 25 structural assessments for large, roof-mounted solar arrays on a range of building types over the past 3 years, including healthcare buildings, large industrial buildings and office buildings.

The scope of these structural assessments has included conducting on-site surveys to inspect the existing building structure and recording structural framing layout and key structural member sizes.

The scope has also included building an analysis model for the respective structures taking account existing and additional loading imposed by proposed solar arrays and determining if the additional loads can be supported with or without a requirement for structural strengthening. PUNCH uses Tekla Structural Design to model the surveyed existing members and undertake a detailed structural calculation to determine the member utilisations.

Our scope on these projects has also included the preparation of a comprehensive report, documenting all the calculations and containing key conclusions and recommendations enabling solar panel installers to provide their client with confirmation of structural adequacy of the roof space. This has enabled many companies to progress with Power Purchase Agreements with solar PV partners.