It's measured in pounds per square foot (psf) and typically falls between 15-30 psf for most residential roofs. . Roof load capacity is simply a measurement of how much total weight a roof can support per square foot. When calculating the necessary load capacity of a roof, you need to figure in what's known as the dead load along with live loads or environmental loads. Key factors include roof age, material type (tile vs. The determination of whether a roof can support a solar array moves beyond simply calculating the panel weight and delves into the. . Modern solar systems add approximately 2-4 pounds per square foot to a roof. However, this weight combines with snow, wind, and seismic forces to create complex loading scenarios. Understanding how structural engineers approach roof load calculations for solar helps installers avoid costly delays. .
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