How panels are fixed
Panels sit on aluminium rails, and the rails are fixed to the roof structure, not just the roof covering. The key rule is that every fixing goes into something strong: on a mabati roof that means through the sheet into the purlin below, never into the sheet alone.
- Mabati (iron sheet): brackets are fixed through the crown of the sheet into the purlin, and every penetration is sealed with EPDM or butyl so rain cannot follow the screw in.
- Tile: the usual method is roof hooks fixed to the timber structure beneath, passing between the tiles, so the tiles themselves carry no load.
- Flat concrete: panels go on a tilt frame. Near the equator the tilt is less about catching sun than about letting rain run off and wash dust away rather than pooling.
We photograph every fixing point and hand you the record at commissioning. Our two-year workmanship warranty covers the installation, including any leak traced to our fixings.
Is my roof strong enough?
Panels and mounting add roughly 15 kg per square metre. That is light for mabati on sound purlins, for tile and for concrete. What matters is the condition of the structure: rotten timber, rusted purlins or a sagging roof need fixing first. If your roof is not sound we will tell you at the free survey, before you spend anything.
How much space do I need?
Each panel is about 2.7 m². Allowing for access gaps, our systems need roughly:
| System | Panels | Clear roof space |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kWh | 4 | about 13 m² |
| 7.5 kWh | 6 | about 20 m² |
| 10 kWh | 8 | about 26 m² |
| 15 kWh | 12 | about 39 m² |
Estimates. The survey confirms the layout for your roof.
Most three-bedroom homes have more than enough on one roof slope.
Does the direction of my roof matter?
Much less than people expect. Kenya sits on the equator, so the sun passes almost overhead. North, south, east and west-facing roofs all work. Shade matters far more: a tree or a wall shading part of the array for a few hours can cut output by more than you would think, because one shaded panel drags down the others on the same string. We check shade at survey and design around it.
What maintenance does a roof system need?
Very little. Rinse the panels with clean water two or three times a year in the dry season, when dust builds up. There are no moving parts and no fuel. An annual maintenance visit adds a fixing and seal check, cleaning and a performance report.
Common questions
Will solar panels cause my mabati roof to leak?
Not when they are fitted properly. Brackets should be fixed through the sheet into the purlin and every penetration sealed with EPDM or butyl. Our two-year workmanship warranty covers any leak traced to our fixings.
How much roof space does a solar system need?
Each panel is about 2.7 square metres. Our 5 kWh system needs roughly 13 square metres of clear roof, the 10 kWh about 26 and the 15 kWh about 39, allowing for access gaps.
Which direction should solar panels face in Kenya?
Because Kenya is on the equator, north, south, east and west-facing roofs all work well. Avoiding shade matters far more than direction.