S-5! Challenges Solar Mounting Assumptions with New White Paper at All Energy Australia

(Melbourne, Australia - October 22, 2026) — A new S-5! white paper challenges a longstanding assumption in rooftop solar design: that attachments must be installed directly over roof purlins to be structurally sound. At All Energy Australia, October 28-29, in Melbourne, visitors to Stand Q101 can explore the findings and learn about S-5!'s next-generation PVKIT® 3.0 rail-less solar mounting system for metal roofs and Facet™ Mount for single-ply membrane roofs.

S-5! sales professionals will be available to answer project-specific questions about system design, installation and performance. A full copy of the white paper will also be available.

New Research Challenges Conventional Mounting Assumptions

S-5!'s new technical white paper, Solar Mounting Off Purlin on Metal Roof Sheeting, examines the structural capacity of metal roofing and addresses claims that solar attachment points must be positioned directly over purlins.

White Paper Executive Summary

Drawing on extensive laboratory testing, Australian building codes and standards, and documented field performance, the paper presents evidence that metal roof sheeting can reliably support solar attachments between purlins when systems are properly engineered and installed.

The paper examines wind uplift resistance, load distribution and the structural role of roof panels, supported by static and cyclic load testing, full-assembly testing and examples of solar installations that have withstood extreme hurricane conditions.

Its findings reinforce the importance of evaluating the complete load path - including roof sheeting, solar fixings and supporting structure - using proper load distribution rather than relying solely on proximity to structural purlins.

Next-Generation PVKIT 3.0 Offers Greater Installation Flexibility

S-5! will feature PVKIT® 3.0, the next generation of its rail-less solar mounting system for metal roofs. Available in standard and optional integrated 50 mm riser configurations, the redesigned system gives designers and installers greater control over roof-to-module clearance. The riser provides additional space for wire routing, module-level power electronics and other balance-of-system components. PVKIT 3.0 pairs with S-5! clamps and brackets to provide engineered direct attachment to metal roofs without conventional mounting rails.

Facet Mount Expands Solar Attachment Options to Single-Ply Roofs

Expanding its rooftop attachment offerings beyond metal roofs, S-5! will also feature its Facet™ Mount solution for single-ply membrane roofs, including TPO and PVC. Manufactured from high-pressure cast aluminum, Facet Mount offers 16 fastening locations for design flexibility and increased load distribution while preserving roof integrity.

About S-5!

In 1992, S-5! introduced the disruptive innovation of engineered, manufactured solutions for the attachment of roof-mounted equipment to metal roofs. Its zero-penetration clamps, along with brackets, support a variety of roof-mounted applications on metal roofs while maintaining roof integrity and warranties—backed by a lifetime warranty that is unmatched in the industry. Today, S-5! solutions are installed on more than 3 million roofs worldwide, including projects totaling 11 GW of roof-mounted solar. Building on that legacy, S-5! has now extended its expertise with single-ply roof solutions. For more information, visit www.s-5.com.au.

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