Mechanically fixed landscape solar array on GRP pitched flat roof using Nicholson Rooftrak® IFP250 integrated fixing points — MCS compliant
Your roof's GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) surface and 15° pitch make ballasted or adhesive-only solar mounting impractical and non-compliant. Mechanical fixing through the Nicholson Rooftrak® IFP250 integrated fixing point system is the industry-leading, MCS-compliant solution that protects the membrane, maintains your roofing warranty, and delivers a 25+ year installation life.
At 15° pitch, ballast blocks will slide under wind loading and thermal expansion cycles. They also impose concentrated point loads on the GRP deck, risking delamination. MCS MIS 3002 requires that mounting systems are structurally adequate for the site wind zone — ballast at this pitch will not pass a wind uplift calculation for a UK highland location.
The Rooftrak IFP250 penetrates and anchors directly through the GRP into the structural deck below, while its patented membrane flange is GRP-coated and bonded into the existing roof surface. Zero water ingress. Zero membrane stress under load. BRE-tested wind uplift resistance. 25-year service life matched to your roof membrane.
Based on the site visit conducted by the Infinity Renewables installation team on 20th May 2026, and the photographic evidence and site measurements provided, the following roof conditions have been recorded and factored into this method statement.
GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) roofing system with characteristic gel-coat surface finish. Panel joins visible on photographs — consistent with standard GRP roofing sheets laid on plywood or OSB deck. The GRP surface is in sound condition with no delamination observed. Roof width: 9.16m (from site drawing).
Recorded pitch: 15°. This falls within the low-pitch category. At 15°, panels will be installed in landscape format flush to the roof plane — no additional tilt frame required, reducing wind loading, weight, and visual impact. The roof has a triangular cut-off at one corner (visible in site sketch — indicated by diagonal line).
Location: Glen Lyon, Aberfeldy PH15 2NN. Classified as Wind Zone 3 (high exposure) for a rural Scottish Highland location. All fixing calculations and IFP250 load ratings have been applied with a safety factor of 3 as required. Wind uplift is the dominant design load at this site.
The IFP250 is the only integrated fixing point system on the market with European and US patents, BRE-tested wind uplift resistance, and a patented membrane protection system that applies zero additional stress to the membrane even under full design loading.
| Property | Specification | Standard / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Base plate material | Pressed steel, PPC (polyester powder coated) | Nicholson IFP250 datasheet |
| Base plate size | 250 mm × 250 mm | Nicholson IFP250 datasheet |
| Connection point | M10 female thread, 304 grade stainless steel | Nicholson IFP250 datasheet |
| Profile above FRL | 25 mm (ultra low profile) | Nicholson IFP250 datasheet |
| Membrane flange — GRP | GRP gel-coat coated, bonded into existing GRP system | Nicholson IFP250 GRP variant |
| Direct fixing holes | 16 × 8mm Ø for direct fixing screws | Nicholson IFP250 datasheet |
| Max tensile load (C) | 5.0 kN (18mm plywood, 8× direct SF-RS-5.8) | BRE tested, safety factor ×3 |
| Max compressive load (A) | 5.0 kN | BRE tested |
| Max shear load (B) | 2.5 kN | BRE tested |
| Fasteners specified | Fixfast SF-RS-5.8, min 40mm length, 8 per plate | ETA 15/0406 |
| Expected service life | 25 years (matched to GRP membrane life) | Nicholson standard warranty |
| Patent | European Patent 2855794 / US Patent 9637917 | Patented system |
| Testing | Independently tested by BRE (Building Research Establishment) | BRE test certificate |
Based on your 9.16m roof width and 15° pitch, panels are installed in landscape format on a aluminium rail system connected to the IFP250 fixing points. The fixing grid is designed to stay clear of the corner cut-off shown on your site sketch.
Our installation follows a strict sequence designed to protect your roof membrane at every stage, meet MCS MIS 3002 requirements, and deliver a structurally sound, weathertight solar array.
A full structural and condition survey of the GRP roof deck is carried out before any fixings are installed. The plywood/OSB substrate is probed and checked for delamination, rot or damage. Setting-out lines are chalked to the agreed panel layout plan, ensuring all IFP250 fixing positions land on solid structural timber or ply — never between rafters. A minimum 300mm edge clearance from all roof boundaries is maintained throughout.
Each IFP250 base plate (250mm × 250mm) is positioned precisely on the setting-out marks. Pilot holes are drilled through the GRP membrane and into the plywood substrate at each of the 8 fixing hole positions per plate. Drilling is done at controlled speed to avoid delaminating the GRP surface — a sacrificial backing pad is used beneath.
The IFP250 base plate is secured using 8× Fixfast SF-RS-5.8 screws (minimum 40mm length) torqued to the manufacturer's specification using a calibrated torque driver. This achieves the rated tensile load of 5.0 kN and shear load of 2.5 kN per fixing point. No sealant is applied under the base plate at this stage — the GRP membrane flange provides the sole weatherproofing barrier.
This is the critical waterproofing step. The IFP250 GRP variant is supplied with a factory-applied GRP gel-coat flange (450mm × 450mm). The existing GRP roof surface around the fixing point is prepared — lightly abraded and acetone-cleaned. The flange is then laminated into the existing GRP system using the same resin and glass fibre chopped strand mat, creating a completely homogenous, monolithic bond. This is not a simple lap joint — it becomes structurally part of the roof membrane.
Anodised aluminium landscape mounting rails are connected to the M10 stainless steel threaded connection point on each IFP250 using an M10 stainless steel bolt and structural washer. The rail system is levelled along the slope of the roof to ensure panels sit flush and parallel at 15°. Mid-rail clamps and end clamps are positioned to the panel manufacturer's specification for landscape format.
Panels are lifted onto the rails and clamped in landscape orientation. At 15° pitch, landscape format gives the optimal combination of roof coverage, inter-row shading avoidance, and structural load distribution across the IFP250 fixing grid. All DC wiring is run in UV-resistant conduit or cable management clips, clipped to the underside of the rail system. MC4 connectors are mated and string wiring completed.
The array is connected to the inverter and the building's consumer unit by our NICEIC Approved electricians. Full insulation resistance, polarity and continuity tests are carried out per BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. The MCS installation checklist (MIS 3002) is completed, signed and submitted to Ofgem to issue the MCS certificate — required for export tariff and any applicable grant conditions.
The IFP250's patented design means the waterproofing membrane is never simply punctured and sealed with mastic — it is structurally laminated. Here is exactly what happens at each fixing point.
Every aspect of this installation — from fixing design to electrical commissioning — is documented and certified to MCS, NICEIC and Building Regulations standards.
Solar PV installation standard. Wind uplift calculation performed. Structural adequacy of fixing system confirmed against BRE-tested IFP250 load ratings. Site-specific wind zone assessment (Zone 3 — Highland). MCS commissioning checklist completed and submitted to Ofgem.
All electrical works designed and installed by NICEIC Approved Contractors. Insulation resistance, polarity, continuity and earthing tests performed and recorded. Electrical Installation Certificate issued. G98/G99 DNO notification made.
IFP250 fixing loads verified against BS EN 1991-1-4 (wind actions) for site location. Safety factor of 3 applied on all BRE-tested load values. Structural deck check confirms 18mm minimum plywood — IFP250 direct fixing rated to 5.0 kN tensile per point.