MCS_012 3.0 CertifiedSolVe MountSolar Mounting for Metrotile roofs
The only MCS certified solar mounting solution for Metrotile, Decratiles and metal roof tiles. Preparation step required.
Installation Difficulty
Port Talbot Cricket Club — Metrotile Roof Solar PV
Solar PV installed on the Metrotile roof at Port Talbot Cricket Club using the SolVe Bi-blade hole cutter and standard SolVe Mount kit. The aggregate was cleared cleanly and the seal compressed to full contact on the flat metal sealing surface.
IPX8 rated and MCS certified. No specialist metalwork skills required — the bespoke tooling handles the preparation step, and the installation follows the same process as all other SolVe Mount installations.
The first watertight, MCS certified solar mount for Metrotile roofs.
Last Updated: June 2026
Key Takeaways
- MCS certified — plain metal sealing surface created by SolVe Bi-blade hole cutter satisfies MCS 012 3.0
- Preparation step required — SolVe Bi-blade hole cutter (available as add-on) must be used to remove aggregate before installation
- Flat section only — seal must sit on a peak or trough of the profile; avoid sloped or ridged sections
- Mounting zone: 70mm from the bottom edge of the sheet, on a flat section of the profile
- CT1 or similar required to prevent rust — apply to the exposed 35mm metal ring after preparation
- IPX8 tested — 24-hour sustained hydrostatic pressure test, no leakage observed
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.
How to Install Solar on a Metrotile Roof
Find the Rafter
Metrotile sheets are nailed at the overlapping edge. Use a flat-bar nail remover to pull the nails at the overlap of the sheet above your target area, lift the sheet, and locate the rafter below. Mark the rafter position on the lower sheet surface and replace the nails. A good nail remover makes this quick and clean.
Top tip: a quality flat-bar nail remover makes lifting the sheet easy.
Choose Your Mounting Position
Mark your position 70mm from the bottom edge of the sheet, on a flat section of the profile — a peak or trough both work, as long as the surface is flat. Avoid sloped or ridged areas; the seal must compress evenly. If a flat section does not fall over a rafter at your preferred position, fit a block of wood to the side of the rafter “sistering or doubling” or fit a noggin between rafters or move to the nearest rafter where a flat section aligns.
Core & Clear Aggregate — SolVe Bi-blade Hole Cutter
Using the SolVe Bi-blade hole cutter at maximum drill speed, drive through the Metrotile sheet. The 28mm bi-metal blade cuts the hole through the steel. Once through, the 35mm diamond blade contacts the aggregate surface — do not apply downward pressure. Allow the blade to clear the aggregate ring. A slight wobbling motion helps with stubborn areas. The result is a clean 28mm hole surrounded by a flat 35mm metal sealing ring.
Deburr
Use a hand deburring tool to completely remove all sharp edges on both the top and underside of the 28mm hole. This step is critical — burrs will prevent the seal from compressing evenly and will compromise the watertight seal.
Clean
Remove all swarf, dust, and debris from the hole and the 35mm sealing surface. The metal ring must be completely clean and dry before the seal is installed.
Apply Anti-Corrosion Sealant
Apply CT1 or equivalent anti-corrosion sealant to the exposed 35mm metal ring to prevent rust on the galvanised steel. CT1 is not the primary waterproof seal — the IPX8 test was passed without it — but it is required in every installation to protect the metal long-term.
Pre-Drill the Rafter
Insert the SolVe drill guide through the tile hole and pre-drill a 7mm pilot hole into the rafter.
Fix the SolVe Mount
Install the standard SolVe Mount. Tighten the nut until the seal expands beyond the cap and applies a small amount of compression to the 35mm metal ring. This differs from standard SolVe Mount installs on slate or tile — where compression of the roof covering is avoided — but with a thin metal sheet, a degree of surface compression is preferred to ensure full sealing contact.
Done: your IPX8 rated, MCS certified Metrotile solar mount is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from installers working with Metrotile roofs.
Test Report · SOL-DO-P2301-300-4
SolVe Mount — Metrotile Water-Tightness Test Report
Controlled installation and 24-hour IPX8 hydrostatic pressure test on Metrotile roofing. Prepared for HDM. Signed by David Gunter, 04 March 2026.
Download Report (PDF)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 metrotile sheet.
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
