News Article
First Purpose Built PV Anchors Released
The installation of solar PV panels is now much easier and more reliable than ever before thanks to the development of stainless steel roof anchors that, for the first time, have been purpose-designed and developed for UK roofs by a UK manufacturer.
The new REDtip roof anchors reduce the need for grinding or cutting of slates and tiles and feature hooks designed specifically for plain or rosemary tiles, large format flat tiles, profiled pan tiles and slates typically used in the UK. Significantly, the new anchors overcome the frequent stock-holding and supply issues faced by many UK installers as the product is available on next-day delivery from PV Trade specialist, Solar Seller, as well as Hexstone's Stainless Threaded Fasteners (STF) and JCP Owlett approved stockists . As a result, product availability is not compromised by the sudden peaks in demand that may arise in the home market of other manufacturers.
For the first time, installers of roof-mounted PV systems will no longer have to waste time making on-site adjustments to accommodate poorly fitting imported hooks. And, to complement the new anchors, new REDtip purpose-designed mounting rails - also manufactured in the UK - for tiled roofs (ExpressRail) and profiled sheet roofs (SwiftRail) have also been introduced to further simplify on-site PV installation. The REDtip range also features a tough wrap around jointing plate and easy assembly module clamps.
The launch of the distinctive REDtip anchors follows an extensive product testing and development programme and features a core range of four anchors with the design and dimensions to meet the specific requirements of more than 80% of the country's pitched roofs.
The anchors have been designed in accordance with BS EN 490, BS EN 1304 and BS EN 12326 to match British tile and slate dimensions. They are also expected to be one of the first roof anchors to receive full MCS product accreditation and have recently been used on the new roof-mounted PV solar array at BRE's large research and office complex here in the UK which has been installed as part of BRE's 'S Plan' sustainability initiative.
"Maintaining the integrity of a slate or tiled roof is the single most time-consuming task facing any PV system installer," says Gordon Ridgers of REDtip stockist and PV specialist , Solar Seller. "But, until now, there has been no other option for installers who have had to use imported hooks that are not designed for the style, size or fitting specifications of the roof materials we have in this country so fitting the tiles and slates around such hooks can be really tricky. We know from practical experience that this has been a real headache for many PV installers here in the UK "“ especially given the pitch of our roofs, the scale of the retro-fitting market and the typical weather conditions we experience."
"The competitively-priced REDtip anchors eliminate the hassle, simplify the installation and save a great deal of time "¦ and, therefore, money. What's more, many of the country's 4,000 installers are small businesses and, with REDtip, they no longer have to manage an unavoidable and expensive product stock holding and are not dependent on the vagaries of an overseas supply chain."
