Is the SolVe Mount compatible with clay plain tiles?

Yes, the SolVe Mount is MCS certified for clay plain tiles. A seal height adjustment is required due to the tile thickness, and you should avoid installing on joins.

What is the difference between clay and concrete plain tiles for solar installation?

Both clay and concrete plain tiles require the same seal height adjustment and have the same 0-20mm mounting zone.

What is the mounting zone for clay plain tiles?

The recommended mounting zone for clay plain tiles is 0-20mm from the overlapping tile edge due to the thicker material.

Back to Roof Coverings

MCS_012 3.0 Certified

SolVe MountSolar Mounting for clay plain tiles

Fire Safety compliant roof mounting. Airtight VMQ seal, no open air void in the roof — the fire rating is preserved. MCS 012 3.0 certified.

EASYFASTSTRONGLOW PROFILECompatible with clay plain tiles.

Clay plain tile roof compatible with SolVe Mount solar installation

Installation Difficulty

Standard

Plain tiles are double-lapped — the hole cores through 2–3 layers of tile, and battens are closely spaced (typically under 100mm apart), making rafter positioning more demanding than single-lapped tiles. Avoid the top layer join where possible. Adjust the seal height using the twist mechanism to account for the tile thickness before tightening the nut.

Last Updated: May 2026

Key Takeaways

MCS_012 3.0 Certified (Certificate BBA 7460) for clay plain tiles
Adjustment required: Raise seal height using washers for thicker tiles
Mounting zone: 0-20mm from the overlapping tile
Limitation: Do not install on top layer joins (solution due Q1 2026)

Material Pedigree

The Seal Trusted Where Failure Isn't an Option

When failure means a downed aircraft or a breached reactor, engineers choose VMQ silicone. SolVe Mount uses the same seal material family — proven across six decades in environments that make a British roof look trivial.

Space

International Space Station

Docking port seals and habitat pressure boundaries — where a single failure breaches a pressurised environment in orbit.

Aviation

Boeing · Airbus · Rolls Royce

Pressure cabin door seals, jet engine assemblies, and aircraft fuel systems — maintaining integrity through thousands of flight cycles from −60 °C to over 200 °C.

Nuclear

Power Generation

Containment gaskets in nuclear stations where chemical resistance and zero compression-creep are non-negotiable.

Defence

BAE Systems

Submarine pressure seals, naval vessel systems, and defence electronics requiring long-term environmental resistance.

No sealant, flashing, grinding or removing tiles required. Just tighten a nut.

Installing on Clay Plain Tiles

Clay plain tiles have been used on British roofs for centuries and remain a popular choice for their traditional aesthetic and exceptional longevity - many clay tile roofs last 100+ years. The SolVe Mount uses a 28mm diamond core to create a precise opening in the tile or 'working area' to access the rafter. Our expansion seal expands when compressed, pressing outwards on the walls of the core hole and expanding beyond, creating a permanent watertight barrier. Forces are channeled directly to the rafter, ensuring the tile itself carries no load.

Installation considerations: Like concrete plain tiles, clay tiles require a washer adjustment to raise the seal height.

Join limitations: As with other plain tile types, avoid installing directly on the top layer joins. The combined thickness can exceed the seal's optimal range and this guarantees at least one layer is perfectly sealed.

How to install:
CORE - 28mm diamond core to create your 'working area' to access the rafter.
DRILL - Pre-drill using the drill guide provided.
FIX - Screw in the fully assembled SolVe Mount. Raise the seal height for clay plain tiles, tighten the nut to compress and expand the seal.
DONE - Your MCS certified, IPX8 rated clay plain tile roof mount is complete.

The SolVe Mount ensures no load is transferred to the clay plain tile roof and creates a watertight seal that will outlive the roof covering.

Making solar installation simple, fast and repeatable. No clay plain tile expertise required.

Unshrinkable Technology

Maintains a permanent 34-36mm expansion above and below the roof covering, ensuring no retreat or seal degradation over time.

172-Year Longevity

ASTM D395B testing confirms ~30% compression set after 172 years, preserving elasticity and waterproof "springiness."

Load Isolation

Forces are channeled directly to the rafter. The seal expands radially, exerting pressure only on the core hole walls, not the clay plain tile.

Triple-Seal Protection

Primary seal matches roof covering depth, augmented by upper and lower seals for 100% watertight confidence.

2D SolVe Mount Installation Animation

Close Up Installation Video Below

Related Roof Types

Concrete Plain Tiles Rosemary Tiles Slate & Composite Cambrian Slate Concrete Interlocking Heavy Slate Stone Roofs Metrotile

Does the SolVe Mount Require Drilling Through Slate?

Official Distributor HDM Solar

UK distribution partner with branches across the country.

Official Distributor Phase Renewables