Getting your solar panels installed correctly starts with choosing the right mounting system. The racking and fixings you use determine not just how your installation looks, but how it performs structurally over its lifetime — affecting wind and snow load resistance, weatherproofing, ease of installation, and long-term maintenance access. A poor mounting choice can compromise an otherwise excellent solar system, so it's worth understanding the options before you buy.
On-Roof vs In-Roof — Which Do You Need?
The two main approaches to residential and commercial solar mounting are on-roof (above the existing roof covering) and in-roof (integrated into the roof structure itself).
On-roof systems sit on top of your existing tiles or slates using rails, brackets, and clamps anchored to the roof structure below. They're the most widely installed type in the UK, compatible with virtually any roof pitch and tile profile, and generally quicker to install. Our on-roof range includes systems from Schletter, Renusol, and Clenergy — all trusted names used by professional installers across the UK, covering pitched roof, flat roof, and ground-mount applications.
In-roof systems replace a section of the roof covering entirely, with the solar panels sitting flush within the roofline rather than sitting on top of it. The result is a far cleaner aesthetic that many homeowners and developers prefer, with no brackets or racking visible from outside. Our in-roof range is built around Viridian Solar's Clearline Fusion system — the only in-roof mounting solution to hold BBA Agrément Certification and satisfy NHBC Technical Requirements, making it the go-to choice for new-build developers and high-specification residential projects.
Tile & Slate Fixings
For pitched roof on-roof installations, the fixing method between the mounting bracket and the roof structure is critical. Our tile and slate fixings are designed to provide a secure, weathertight anchor point through a wide range of common UK roof coverings, including plain tiles, interlocking tiles, natural slate, and fibre cement slate — without the need for specialist tools or excessive roof disturbance.
Choosing the Right System
When selecting a mounting system, the key factors to consider are your roof type (pitched or flat, tile or slate, in-roof or on-roof), the panel orientation you're planning (portrait or landscape), the local wind and snow load requirements for your area, and whether aesthetics are a priority. For commercial or ground-mount installations, structural loading calculations may also be required.
All of the mounting systems in our range are designed for professional installation and are compatible with standard solar panel frame sizes and M10 fixings used across the industry.
Browse by brand or system type below, or contact our team for help specifying the right mounting solution for your project.
