MCS_012 3.0 CertifiedSolVe MountSolar Mounting for stone roofs
One of the only Fire Safety compliant roof mountings. Airtight self extinguishing seal complying with MCS_012 3.0 for a future proofed installation.
Cheltenham, UK. Cotswold Stone — 28 Mounts, 12 × 475W AIKO Panels
Video: Tightening the nut causes the seal to expand outward against the core hole walls — creating the IPX8 rated watertight seal. This is expansion, not compression onto the roof covering.
A large solar installer had designed this roof remotely using their in-house software and Google Earth imagery. What they expected to be slate turned out to be Cotswold stone on arrival. They were about to abandon the installation — writing off marketing spend to acquire the customer, scaffolding hire, labour costs, hotel stays, gross profit from the entire job, and risking an unhappy homeowner.
Instead, they used SolVe Mounts. The installation comprised 12 × 475W AIKO panels across 2 rows of 6, secured by 28 SolVe Mounts. Cotswold stone had traditionally been considered impossible for MCS-certified solar — there was simply no other way to install on a stone roof using certified products.
Day one was spent on-site training the installation team and preparing the product. By day two, all 28 mounts were installed before high winds made it unsafe to continue mounting panels. The installation process is identical to every other discontinuous roof covering: core the 28mm hole with a diamond core bit, pre-drill using the drill guide provided, fix the mount, twist the seal to set the desired height for the stone, and tighten the nut to cause the expansion.
Note: Stone roofs require longer 250mm bolts due to the thicker roof covering.
Cotswold stone — previously impossible for solar. SolVed.
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Takeaways
- Compatible with Yorkshire stone, Cotswold stone, and similar materials
- Adjustments required: Twist the seal to raise the height + longer 250mm M10 A4-80 bolts for thicker stone
- Mounting zone: 0-20mm from the overlapping stone
- Proven: 28 mounts installed on Cotswold stone in Cheltenham — 12 × 475W AIKO panels
- Same process: Core, drill, fix, twist, tighten — identical to every discontinuous roof covering
Installing on Stone Roofs
Stone roofs, including Yorkshire stone, Cotswold stone, and reclaimed stone slates, represent some of Britain's most beautiful and enduring architectural heritage. Many stone roofs are 200+ years old and are often found on listed buildings. The SolVe Mount uses a 28mm diamond core to create a precise opening in the stone or 'working area' to access the rafter. Our expansion seal expands when the nut is tightened, 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 stone itself carries no load.
Why stone requires special consideration: Stone tiles are significantly thicker (often 20-45mm) than slate or concrete tiles. This thickness requires raising the seal height by twisting the adjustable seal and requires longer 250mm M10 A4-80 hanger bolts so the bolt reaches the required height above the roof covering.
Join limitations: Similar to heavy slate, avoid installing directly on joins between stone tiles. The double thickness at these points exceeds the seal's optimal range. A solution is due with the universal mount release on April 14th 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. Twist the seal to raise the height for stone roofs.
TIGHTEN - Tighten the nut to cause the seal to expand — creating the IPX8 rated watertight barrier.
DONE - Your MCS certified stone roof mount is complete.
The SolVe Mount ensures no load is transferred to the stone roof and creates a watertight seal that will outlive the roof covering.
Making solar installation simple, fast and repeatable. No stone 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 stone.
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
