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Solar on thick foam roof- exterior mounting beam? – GreenBuildingAdvisor
- July 28, 2025
- Posted by: wendy
- Category: Uncategorized
I am exploring solar options, though my roof is not the typical that solar installers are interested in:
– Roof structure, bottom up: Single slope shed roof, very low 0.72:12 pitch, 4×10” rafters 48” OC
– Roof deck: 2×6” T&G with 1/2” plywood on top, then old SBS roofing
– Insulation above old roofing: 7.8” of rigid polyiso followed by 1/2” polyiso HD coverboard (100 psi)
– Top membrane: Sika Sarnafil G410 adhered PVC membrane
– Total roof thickness to top of rafters: 10.3”
I am not interested in putting 200+ penetrations through the membrane for OMG roofing power grip 7 bases which was my first plan:
https://www.omgroofing.com/products/powergrip-universal-7/
I am wondering if anyone has ever seen or used a product such as a “beam” that I can run on top of the foam and membrane, directly over/collinear to the 48” OC rafters so I can seal and screw directly through the entire roof assembly into the rafters below (we are talking 12”+ screw length). Then attach solar racking perpendicular to these “beams” at whatever desired spacing I choose
honestly I feel like 2×4 or 2×6 lumber would work structurally, but i’m not interested in a “perishable” wood product – I would prefer aluminum or similar if available. It would need to be wide enough (4” ballpark using my eyes?) to help distribute the load on the HD coverboard, even if it is 100 psi I’m still skeptical that I’d have the potential to crush/overcompress it
A similar topic was posted in 2019 with no replies since then (specifically post #12)
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/mounting-solar-panels-above-roof-with-exterior-foam
any thoughts on my somewhat unique situation?
Thanks!