The Universal In-Roof Mounting System

Advanced in-roof photovoltaic mounting system designed to combine architectural integration, structural performance and long-term sustainability.

It goes far beyond a standard mounting tray by delivering a fully engineered, certified and scalable solution for the residential and new-build markets.

A truly universal in-roof system

At the core of S4 Roofit is a universal integration plate, engineered to accommodate:
  • All current photovoltaic panel sizes,
  • Future panel formats,
  • Both portrait and landscape installations.
This universality allows:
  • A single reference to manage across projects,
  • Simplified design and installation,
  • Full compatibility with market evolution without system redesign.

Compatibility with leading photovoltaic panel manufacturers

Thanks to its universal design, S4 Roofit can be used with all photovoltaic panels available on the market, including those supplied by leading international manufacturers.

These manufacturers rely on proven industrial processes, combining highly qualified production lines, rigorous quality controls and internationally recognised certifications. The use of such panels ensures a high level of reliability, consistency of performance and long-term durability.

When combined with panels from these established manufacturers, S4 Roofit delivers a coherent and robust solution, meeting some of the highest levels of market expectation in terms of quality, regulatory compliance and long-term performance, in line with the requirements of UK housebuilders.

Engineered for strength and durability

S4 Roofit is not a commodity tray.
 
The system features a reinforced rear structure, specifically designed to deliver exceptional mechanical resistance to:
 
  • Pressure loads,
  • Wind uplift (depression),
  • Long-term structural stress.
 
This reinforcement ensures performance well beyond standard solutions and supports compliance with UK wind load requirements, while preserving long-term roof integrity.

Certified, compliant and future-proof

S4 Roofit is:
 
  • MCS 012 certified,
  • BBA assessed, confirming compliance with NHBC Standards.
 
This dual validation has been implemented to guarantee:
  • Regulatory compliance,
  • Robustness of the system,
  • Suitability for UK housebuilders and new-build requirements.
 
A single certification framework supports multiple panel references, ensuring continuity as the PV market evolves.

Industrial efficiency with local focus

The universal plate architecture enables:
 
  • Controlled tooling investment,
  • Local production where required,
  • Reduced transport distances,
  • Faster delivery times.
 
This approach delivers:
 
  • Lower logistics impact,
  • Improved supply chain resilience,
  • Reduced environmental footprint.

Simplified installation & inventory

For installers and distributors, S4 Roofit means:
 
  • One system for all panel sizes,
  • No distinction between portrait and landscape kits,
  • Reduced SKU count,
  • Faster installation,
  • Simplified stock management.

Different Design Approaches Explained

The UK in-roof photovoltaic market includes several system design approaches.

Understanding these differences is essential for house builders, designers and procurement teams when assessing long-term performance, compliance and supply chain resilience.

The comparison below outlines key distinctions between proprietary panel-based in-roof systems and universal in-roof mounting platforms, to support informed specification decisions.

Comparison of System Design Approaches

CriteriaProprietary panel-based systemsS4 Roofit – Universal In-Roof System
System architectureDesigned around specific photovoltaic panelsUniversal, panel-agnostic mounting platform
PV module selectionLimited to a defined panel rangeCompatible with panels from major global manufacturers
Certification structurePanel-dependent validationSingle system certification ,framework
Adaptation to future panelsRequires re-validationDesigned to accommodate future panel formats
Installation methodologyPanel-specific processesStandardised, repeatable installation
Component complexityMultiple product-specific componentsReduced component architecture
Stock managementMultiple SKUsSingle-reference system approach
Supply chain dependencyTied to specific panel suppliersOpen and flexible supply chain
Long-term availabilityLinked to panel lifecycleIndependent from panel lifecycle

System-Level Safety & Compliance Approach

“Fire performance, electrical safety and system integrity are addressed at system level through
independent certification frameworks, rather than through the addition of isolated components.”

This system-level approach avoids reliance on add-on mitigation products by addressing safety,
performance and compliance through certified system design.

Design Philosophy

Proprietary in-roof systems are typically developed around a specific photovoltaic panel range.
While this approach can offer integration simplicity, it may also introduce long-term dependency on individual panel suppliers and product lifecycles.

Universal in-roof platforms, such as S4 Roofit, are engineered independently from the photovoltaic panels themselves.

This approach allows integration with leading global panel manufacturers operating highly industrialised, certified and continuously evolving production processes.

As a result, the system benefits from:

  • access to panels produced at the highest industrial standards,
  • continuity of supply,
  • long-term compatibility with market evolution.

System Architecture & Component Strategy

In-roof photovoltaic systems must be assessed as complete engineered assemblies, not as isolated components.
Long-term system performance and reliability depend primarily on:
 
  • The industrial quality of photovoltaic modules,
  • Compliance with international standards (IEC 61215 / IEC 61730),
  • Consistent manufacturing processes,
  • And a robust, system-level integration approach.
 
S4 Roofit has been designed to operate with photovoltaic modules from leading global manufacturers, whose products are developed within highly controlled, certified
and continuously audited industrial environments.

This approach ensures:

  • Consistent electrical and mechanical quality,
  • Traceable manufacturing processes,
  • Long-term product availability,
  • Alignment with international certification frameworks.
 
Rather than relying on proprietary or closed component ecosystems, S4’s architecture enables project stakeholders to select modules from established manufacturers
operating at the highest levels of industrial qualification, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
 
This system-level philosophy supports predictable performance, reduced technical risk and long-term confidence for large-scale residential developments.

Certification & Regulatory Alignment

Considerations for Housebuilders
For residential and large-scale new-build projects, in-roof photovoltaic systems are increasingly assessed based on:
 
•long-term regulatory continuity,
•predictability of supply,
•reduced dependency on single manufacturers,
•ease of maintenance and replacement over the building lifecycle.
 
A universal system architecture supports these objectives by limiting technical risk and ensuring continuity across multiple developments.
 
S4 Roofit operates within a framework of independent third-party validation:
 
  • MCS 012 certified
  • BBA assessed, confirming compliance with NHBC Standards
 
This dual validation framework has been implemented to ensure:
 
  • system robustness,
  • regulatory compliance,
  • suitability for UK housebuilders and large-scale residential deployment.
 
A single certification framework supports multiple photovoltaic panel references, enabling consistency as panel technologies evolve.

Summary

Different in-roof photovoltaic solutions reflect different design philosophies.

S4 Roofit has been developed as a universal, certified and future-proof in-roof system, offering housebuilders a robust alternative to panel-specific solutions,
while maintaining flexibility, regulatory alignment and long-term supply chain resilience.

The system architecture of S4 Roofit is the result of long-term market observation and practical experience in building-integrated photovoltaics.

France was among the earliest European markets to adopt Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) at scale.
This early adoption generated valuable long-term feedback on system behaviour, durability and roof integration over time.

Early-generation BIPV systems highlighted several key industry challenges, including installation complexity, long-term watertightness, maintenance requirements and reliance on proprietary components.
They also underlined the importance of system architectures capable of maintaining roof watertightness even in the event of a localised module failure, such as a damaged or broken panel.

These market learnings have played a significant role in shaping the evolution of in-roof photovoltaic design standards across Europe.

S4’s system architecture directly builds on this accumulated experience, adopting a second-generation approach focused on system robustness, simplified installation, long-term compatibility and regulatory continuity.
The design philosophy of S4 Roofit prioritises a watertightness strategy that is independent of the photovoltaic module itself, ensuring continued building protection during maintenance, replacement or in the event of module failure.

This experience-led development philosophy underpins S4’s positioning and supports its suitability for large-scale residential deployment.

This comparison is provided for informational purposes only and reflects general system design approaches observed in the UK in-roof photovoltaic market. It does not constitute a claim regarding the performance or compliance of any specific third-party product.

A platform built for compliance, accuracy, and reliability

The S4 Configurator has been developed as a central component of the S4 ecosystem, supporting the design, validation, and deployment of photovoltaic systems in full compliance with applicable technical and regulatory frameworks.

More than just a configuration tool, it is a decision-support platform designed to secure projects from the very first stages of planning.

Built to recognized standards
and regulations

The S4 Configurator is developed in accordance with:
  • European Eurocodes and national annexes,
  • Relevant British Standards (BS),
  • MCS 012 requirements,
  • NHBC expectations for new-build housing.
 
All calculations and configurations are structured to reflect real construction constraints and regulatory requirements applicable to the UK market.

Extensive module database

The configurator integrates a continuously updated library of over 2,000 photovoltaic module references, including:
  • Exact physical dimensions and tolerances,
  • Frame geometries,
  • Fixing interface characteristics,
  • Manufacturer-specific constraints.

Designed for real-world
installation conditions

The system enables configuration for:
 
The configurator integrates a continuously updated library of over 2,000 photovoltaic module references, including:
  • Portrait and landscape layouts,
  • Variable roof geometries and pitches,
  • Different fixing strategies and overlap zones,
  • Compatibility with roof coverings and drainage principles.

A professional tool supporting compliance and risk control

The S4 configurator supports compliance with applicable standards and good engineering practice, helping professionals to:
 
•Reduce design errors,
•Standardise installation approaches,
•Improve traceability and technical consistency across projects.

Important notice – engineering validation

While the S4 Configurator provides a robust technical framework and pre-validation of system compatibility, all final designs, load assessments and structural validations must be reviewed and approved by a qualified structural engineer or competent professional, in accordance with local regulations and project-specific requirements.

This ensures full compliance, safety, and accountability for each individual installation.