Solar Northface Installation Trap! Uneven Loading on Portal Frames - Gamcorp Structural Engineers

While we fully understand the energy output benefits of concentrating solar panels on the north-facing side of a roof, doing so can severely impact the building's structural integrity. A more detailed check by modelling the portal frame is required to confirm the effect of uneven installation.

To ensure the safety and longevity of the building, here are the key structural factors we must consider:
- Original Design Intent: Commercial buildings are specifically engineered to handle Uniformly Distributed Loads (UDL) evenly across the entire roof area.
- The Risk of Asymmetric Loading: Concentrating the solar array on just the north face introduces extreme, uneven stress that the original design engineer did not account for when modelling the building.
- The "Seesaw" Effect: A portal frame is designed to act effectively as a single continuous beam. When weight is added to only one side, it causes that side to deflect downwards and forces the opposite, unloaded side of the roof to bow upwards.
- Gamcorp's Recommendation: Evenly load both sides or ask Gamcorp to complete a more detailed assessment by modelling the portal frame to ensure it is safe.

While installing panels on the south face results in less effective energy generation, this balanced loading is the only way to guarantee the long-term structural performance of the primary structure and keep the building safe.

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