solar roof mounting arrays are seen as building structures

The metal framework which supports the solar roof hook array is comprised of three main components. Roof mounts, rails and module fixings are used to hold the panels to the roof structure on pitched roofs. Generally, on a domestic install, where the roof covering is tiles, the roof mounts will be fitted directly to the roof structure itself by removing a number of tiles. On a rood where the covering itself is strong enough, the mounts will be fitted directly to the covering. If on any roof the covering is structurally sound enough, the mounting brackets can be directly fixed to it as long as any forces applied to the mounting frame and panels would be directly transferred to the building's structure.

solar roof mounting arrays are seen as building structures, so must comply with building and planning codes. Loads and weather applied to the array should not make the system tilt, slip overturn or lift from the structure it is fixed to. To ensure this, consideration must be given to the amount of, and spacing between roof mounts.