Designing a commercial rooftop solar installation is about more than selecting the right mounting system. Every project must demonstrate that it is structurally sound, complies with local regulations and can withstand the environmental loads it will face throughout its lifetime.
For structural engineers, technical authorities and insurers, understanding how these calculations are made is just as important as the final design itself.
That’s why we’ve enhanced the Expert Project Plan in the PanelClaw Calculator.
Greater transparency into every calculation
The PanelClaw Calculator has always performed structural calculations based on Eurocodes, country-specific National Annexes and validated engineering methods. These calculations have long formed the foundation of every design generated by the calculator. The difference today is transparency. Users can now choose to generate an Expert Project Plan with Structural Calculations, providing greater visibility into the engineering behind every project. Instead of only presenting the final outcome, the report explains how those results are achieved, making projects easier to review, verify and share. This enhanced reporting is particularly important for commercial and industrial (C&I) projects, where engineering documentation often plays a key role in project approval.
Designed for engineering workflows
Commercial rooftop solar projects frequently involve multiple stakeholders, including EPCs, structural engineers, technical authorities and insurance companies. Each of these parties may need to validate the proposed design before installation begins.
The new Calculations chapter has been developed to support these engineering workflows by presenting calculations in a clear, structured format that is easier to understand and reproduce.
The report now includes:
- Formulas and engineering equations
- Eurocode and National Annex references
- Wind and snow load calculations
- Ballast calculation methodology
- Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS) equations
- Roof and module load summaries
- System Utilization Verification for individual roof segments
Together, these additions provide a comprehensive engineering report that supports technical review and facilitates collaboration throughout the project approval process.
Built on Eurocodes and country-specific standards
Across Europe, structural calculations are governed by the Eurocodes, which establish consistent safety principles while allowing individual countries to apply their own National Annexes where required.
The PanelClaw Calculator already performs calculations in accordance with these standards. The enhanced Expert Project Plan now makes this methodology visible by referencing the applicable Eurocodes and National Annexes directly within the report.
This provides greater confidence that calculations have been performed using the appropriate country-specific requirements and gives reviewers the information they need to verify the results independently.
From environmental loads to ballast calculations
The new Calculations chapter provides greater insight into several key engineering aspects of a project.
Users can now see how snow loads and peak velocity pressure are determined, including the engineering assumptions, parameters and applicable standards used throughout the calculation process.
The report also demonstrates how ballast requirements are established, showing an example calculation supported by information from Peutz wind tunnel testing and certification. By making these calculations visible, the Expert Project Plan helps explain the engineering decisions that underpin each design.
Supporting collaboration through transparency
The enhanced Expert Project Plan has been developed with one objective in mind: making structural calculations easier to understand and communicate.
By providing greater transparency into the engineering behind every project, the report helps installers work more effectively with structural engineers, technical authorities and insurers, while reinforcing confidence in the proposed design.
Because when every calculation can be understood, every project can move forward with greater confidence.
Experience the enhanced Expert Project Plan yourself!
The enhanced Expert Project Plan is now available in the PanelClaw Calculator.
Generate your next project and discover how greater engineering transparency can support your commercial rooftop solar projects.
Try the PanelClaw Calculator for your next project: