Is the SolVe Mount compatible with concrete plain tiles?

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

What adjustments are needed for concrete plain tiles?

Concrete plain tiles are thicker than slate, so the seal height must be raised. The mounting zone is 0-20mm from the overlapping tile edge.

Can I install SolVe Mounts on the joins between concrete tiles?

Currently, we recommend avoiding installation on joins between concrete plain tiles. A solution for join installations is planned for Q1 2026.

Back to Roof Coverings

MCS_012 3.0 Certified

SolVe MountSolar Mounting for concrete 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 concrete plain tiles.

Concrete plain tile roof with SolVe Mount solar panel 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 increased tile thickness before tightening the nut.

Last Updated: May 2026

Key Takeaways

MCS_012 3.0 Certified (Certificate BBA 7460) for concrete 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 Concrete Plain Tiles

Concrete plain tiles are one of the most common roofing materials in the UK, found on millions of homes built from the 1950s onwards. 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.

To raise the height of the seal: Concrete plain tiles are typically 10-20mm thick, which is thicker than natural slate. The washer adjustment raises the seal height to allow the seal to match the height of the roof covering.

Join considerations: Where the top layer joins the adjacent tile, the combined thickness of the plain tiles can exceed the seals optimum range (25mm) to guarantee at least one layer is sealed fully, avoid top layer joins, solution due Q1 2026.

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 concrete plain tiles, tighten the nut to compress and expand the seal.
DONE - Your MCS certified, IPX8 rated concrete plain tile roof mount is complete.

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

Making solar installation simple, fast and repeatable. No concrete 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 concrete 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

Clay Plain Tiles Rosemary Tiles Concrete Interlocking Slate & Composite Cambrian Slate 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