Trapezoidal, Sandwich, or Tile: The Right Solar Panel Mounting System
The type of roof you have directly determines both the cost and lifespan of your solar energy system. Choosing the wrong mounting system can compromise roof watertightness, invalidate static calculations, and reduce the manufacturer's warranty. This guide will... Three common roof types in Türkiye. — trapezoidal metal, sandwich panel and sloping/tile — and customized for each. ISOTEC system We are comparing it with technical data.
CONTENTS
1. Why is Roof Type So Important?
In the solar energy project the most common mistake, The key is to select the mounting system regardless of the roof type. However, each roof profile offers a different load distribution, a different waterproofing layer, and different structural rigidity. These differences directly determine the system:
Approximately the industrial building stock in Türkiye is a trapezoidal metal roof. While has a sandwich panel roof, has a pitched or tile roof (estimate based on Chamber of Civil Engineers data, 2024). ISOTEC has developed three separate systems for these three types. We examine each of them below.
2. Trapezoidal Metal Roofs: ISOTRAP Family
Trapezoidal metal roofs, commonly used in the vast majority of factories, warehouses, and industrial buildings, offer the most suitable environment for solar power plant installations. ISOTEC's ISOTRAP S family; It consists of four different models that secure the panel carrier rail system to the roof without drilling a single hole, using clamping points calculated according to the geometry of the trapezoidal profile.
ISOTRAP S Family: 4 Models, One Platform
| Model | Profile Height | Maximum Wind Speed | Snow Load | Featured Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISOTRAP S20 | 20 mm | 130 km/h | 1.5 kN/m² | Lightweight trapezoidal roofs for residential and industrial buildings. |
| ISOTRAP S50 | 47–56 mm | 150 km/h | 2.4 kN/m² | Standard industrial trapezoid, the most common use. |
| ISOTRAP S60-NX | 59–67 mm | 150 km/h | 2.4 kN/m² | Night ventilation opening (NX), high profile. |
| ISOTRAP S85 | 82–90 mm | 170 km/h | 3.2 kN/m² | High wind and snow loads, coastal and mountainous regions |
ISOTRAP MINI V3: Small Budget, Big Security
For medium-sized industrial buildings and organized industrial zone structures. ISOTRAP MINI V3, It stands out as the compact version of ISOTRAP S. It works on a wide range of roof sections, including sinusoidal (wavy) trapezoidal profiles; the installation time per panel is shorter compared to standard systems with .
3. Sandwich Panel Roofs: ISOSIDE
Cold chain warehouses, food processing plants, and modern factories with steel structures are common. sandwich panel roof It uses sandwich panels that incorporate foam thermal insulation between the upper and lower metal surfaces. This structure completely eliminates trapezoidal clamp systems: clamp compression damages the foam layer and creates water ingress.
ISOSIDE: Side Fastening Technology
ISOSIDE is one of the rare mounting systems developed worldwide for sandwich panel roofs. It replaces classic clamps. XSide connector, It locks into the side rib of the sandwich panel. Using this method:
- Not a single hole is made in the roof.
- The surface paint and coating of the sandwich panel will not deteriorate.
- No thermal bridge will form.
- The existing waterproof guarantee on the roof is preserved.
| Feature | ISOSIDE Value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Thickness Range | 80–200 mm | Compatible with all standard sandwich panel thicknesses. |
| Port Method | From the side (X-Side) | Locking onto the side rib without touching the panel surface. |
| Maximum Wind Load | 140 km/h | Confirmed with a static report compliant with EUROCODE EN 1991-1-4. |
| Panel Weight Capacity | ≤ 35 kg/m² | All modern panel types, including 540W double-glazed bifacial panels. |
| Material | 6005A-T6 Aluminum | Anodized surface treatment provides corrosion resistance in salty air environments. |
4. Sloped and Tile Roofs: ISOBEAM VO
Featuring a slope below the horizontal roof axis pitched roofs — whether covered with concrete tiles, ceramic tiles, or profiled sheet metal — this type of roof is more commonly found in workshops, small industrial facilities, and dormitory buildings rather than in factory-made structures. ISOTEC offers a special solution for this type of roof. ISOBEAM VO, It carries panels along aluminum profile rails without damaging the roof covering.
ISOBEAM VO Technical Specifications
- Compatible roofing materials: Concrete tiles, ceramic tiles, corrugated tiles, natural stone slabs.
- Assembly method: Tile is removed → connecting screw to roof batten → tile is put back in place
- Waterproofing: EPDM gaskets ensure watertightness, preserving the original roof covering.
- Slope range: It works on all roof slopes between 15° and 60°.
- Material: 6063-T6 aluminum profile, black anodized coating option.
- Load capacity: Compliant with EUROCODE EN 1991, maximum snow load of 1.8 kN/m².
ISOBEAM VO — Assembly Video
Video: Guaranteed watertight solar power system installation on a pitched tile roof using ISOBEAM VO.
5. 4 Systems, in a Single Table
Before deciding which system to choose, review the following technical comparison table based on your roof type:
| Criterion | ISOTRAP S | ISOTRAP MINI V3 | the ISOS | ISOBEAM VO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible Roof Type | Trapezoidal metal | Trapezoidal / sinusoidal | Sandwich panel | Sloped / tile |
| Connection Method | EasyClamp (no drilling required) | Mini handcuffs | XSide (side view) | Lathe screw |
| A hole in the roof? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Latta drilling (not tile drilling) |
| Maximum Wind Load | 170 km/h (S85) | 130 km/h | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Structural Warranty | 30 years | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Typical Project Scale | 100 kWp – 5 MWp | 20 kWp – 500 kWp | 50 kWp – 2 MWp | 5 kWp – 200 kWp |
6. How to Choose the Right System?
System selection primarily depends on the answers to the following three questions. If you can answer these questions, you have already identified the right system:
- Trapezoidal or sinusoidal metal plate → ISOTRAP S family or ISOTRAP MINI V3
- Sandwich panel (double-walled insulated) → ISOSIDE
- Tile, stone, ceramic or angled profile sheet metal. → ISOBEAM VO
- Large industrial systems with capacities of 500 kWp and above. → ISOTRAP S (high load capacity, 30-year warranty)
- 20–500 kWp medium scale → ISOTRAP MINI V3 (economical, quick assembly)
- Each capacity / sandwich panel → ISOSIDE
- 5–200 kWp small-to-medium installations → ISOBEAM VO
Classify your region according to the Turkish Wind Map (TSMS). For the Aegean/Marmara coasts and the Eastern Anatolian plateau, choose ISOTRAP S85. For Central Anatolia and the inland areas of the Black Sea, S50/S60-NX is sufficient.
Request a Free Technical Survey
Please specify your roof type and the province where your project is located; ISOTEC experts will then provide roof measurements, static calculations, and system recommendations. free technical survey report Let them prepare it. All technical parameters should be clarified before a binding offer is made.
ISOTEC Product Pages
Bibliography and References
- EUROCODE EN 1991-1-3 — Impact on Structures: Snow Loads
- EUROCODE EN 1991-1-4 — Impact on Structures: Wind Loads
- ISOTEC AG — ISOTRAP S Technical Datasheet (2024)
- ISOTEC AG — ISOSIDE Installation Manual TR (2024)
- ISOTEC AG — ISOBEAM VO Product Documentation (2024)
- IMO (Chamber of Civil Engineers) — Türkiye Industrial Building Stock Report (2024)
- TSMS (Türkiye Wind and Snow Load Maps) — Used in conjunction with the TC AFAD Earthquake Hazard Map.
