Gravel protects surfaces from UV rays and water infiltration, which is precisely why it is often used on the roofs of buildings in our cities.
With Sun Ballast support systems for solar panels, it is easy to implement a PV system on this type of surface.
One of the most frequently used systems for installing PV plants on gravel-covered surfaces is the Sun Ballast East-West system: revolutionary, sturdy and offering countless advantages.
The East-West system is one of the best choices you can make if you need a highly wind-resistant photovoltaic installation, which can be especially important on very tall buildings such as apartment buildings and condominiums, when you have limited roof space, and also in cases where the building does not have optimal sun exposure and therefore it is not possible to set up a south-facing installation. The dual East-West orientation is ideal not only for situations of sub-optimal exposure, but also for situations when you need continuous energy production for several hours during the day, not only when the sun is highest in the sky.
The East-West system involves placing panels adjacent to each other, which results in clear space optimization. Even the spaces between rows of panels usually left unused due to shading are made the most of, and the rows of modules can still be easily interrupted whenever obstacles are encountered. It’s not just efficient – it’s versatile!
Another important feature of the East-West system is its wind resistance, due to the special shoulder-to-shoulder arrangement that prevents the panels from tipping over due to a “sail” effect.
This is another reason why the system is particularly suitable for use on gravel surfaces, since it is able to maintain exceptional stability even when the structure is laid directly on the surface. However, the strength and stability of the photovoltaic installation can be further increased by joining the ballasts with special joint plates.
Space optimization
High wind resistant
Kw cost drastically reduced
Fast to install
Possibility of circumventing obstacles on the roof
