Engineering calculator

Solar Mounting Structural Load Calculator

Calculate wind and snow loads, compare engineer-supplied member actions and deflections, and estimate single-axis tracker torque.

Structural load model Live calculation
Systems2 modes
Load types3 forces
ResponseInstant
Workbook converted

Choose the mounting system

Defaults reproduce the supplied workbook. Environmental loads update from site inputs; advanced member checks use actions and displacements supplied by your structural analysis.

Fixed-tilt inputs

Environmental loads + advanced member checks

Module and layout
mm
mm
kg
rows
pcs
mm
mm
Environmental loads
Wind
factor
factor
factor

View the μz reference table ↓

kg/m³
m/s
Snow
factor

View the μr reference table ↓

kg/m³
m
Advanced · Section properties
Purlin
cm³
cm³
cm²
factor
factor
Rafter
cm³
cm³
cm²
factor
factor
Post
cm³
cm³
cm²
factor
factor
Brace and material
cm²
MPa

The workbook’s brace check uses 2.36 cm² directly; it is exposed here as an editable design area.

Advanced · Design actions
Purlin
N·m
N·m
N
Rafter
N·m
N·m
N
Post
N·m
N·m
N
Brace
N

Enter design Mx, My and N values from a separate structural analysis. Wind and snow inputs above do not generate these member actions.

Advanced · Analysis deflections
Purlin · L/200
mm
mm
Rafter · L/250
mm
mm
Post · L/60
mm
mm

Enter maximum displacements obtained from structural analysis. This tool compares them with the workbook limits; it does not calculate member deflection from the environmental loads.

Fixed-tilt results

Live environmental loads + input-based member comparisons

Live
Design wind load 585.31 N/m²
Basic wind pressure 450.24 Pa
Design snow load 121.55 N/m²
Environmental loads and member checks are separate stages. Wind, snow and distributed loads update from the site inputs. Member capacity and deflection comparisons use the values entered in the Advanced sections; this calculator does not derive Mx, My, N or displacement from the environmental loads.

Distributed loads

Purlin wind line load0.470 N/mm
Wind load per table21,055.65 N
Rafter wind line load3.760 N/mm
Purlin snow line load0.195 N/mm
Snow load per table4,372.55 N
Rafter snow line load0.781 N/mm
Purlin gravity line load0.081 N/mm

Member capacity comparison

Uses the section properties, design actions and design strength entered under Advanced inputs.

MemberStressUtilizationResult

Deflection limit comparison

Compares user-supplied analysis displacement with the workbook serviceability limit.

MemberLimitEnteredResult
Compare a tracker option for ground-mounted solar.

Use these preliminary loads as project context, then compare LuminVolt 1P and 2P single-axis tracker systems or request engineering support for a fixed-tilt design.

Fixed-tilt reference data

Engineering reference tables

Reference factors and wind-pressure height coefficients reproduced from the supplied workbook. Load combinations are not automatically applied to the user-entered member actions or displacements.

Load combinations

Strength and deflection combinations

12 factors
Check Combination Load component Factor
Strength1.2G + 1.4W+Gravity1.20
Strength1.2G + 1.4W+Positive wind1.40
StrengthG + 1.4W−Gravity1.00
StrengthG + 1.4W−Leeward wind1.40
Strength1.2G + 1.4SGravity1.20
Strength1.2G + 1.4SSnow1.40
DeflectionG + W+Gravity1.00
DeflectionG + W+Positive wind1.00
DeflectionG + W−Gravity1.00
DeflectionG + W−Leeward wind1.00
DeflectionG + SGravity1.00
DeflectionG + SSnow1.00

Wind pressure height coefficient μz

Coefficient by height and terrain category

A–D terrain
Height (m) Terrain A Terrain B Terrain C Terrain D
51.091.000.650.51
101.281.000.650.51
151.421.130.650.51
201.521.230.740.51
301.671.390.880.51
401.791.521.000.60
501.891.621.100.69
601.971.711.200.77
702.051.791.280.84
802.121.871.360.91
902.181.931.430.98
1002.232.001.501.04
1502.462.251.791.33
2002.642.462.031.58
2502.782.632.241.81
3002.912.772.432.02
3502.912.912.602.22
4002.912.912.762.40
4502.912.912.912.58
5002.912.912.912.74
≥5502.912.912.912.91
Terrain AOffshore areas, islands, coasts, lake shores and deserts.
Terrain BFields, rural areas, forests, hills and sparsely built suburbs.
Terrain CUrban districts with dense groups of buildings.
Terrain DDense urban districts dominated by taller buildings.

Mono-pitch roof snow coefficient μr

Single-span roof snow distribution by roof slope α

8 slope points
Single-span mono-pitch roof A sloped roof with uniformly distributed snow load and roof angle alpha. Uniform snow distribution μr α

Roof slope α and snow coefficient μr

Select the coefficient corresponding to the mono-pitch roof angle.

α ≤25°1.00
α 30°0.85
α 35°0.70
α 40°0.55
α 45°0.40
α 50°0.25
α 55°0.10
α ≥60°0.00
α Roof slope angle μr Snow distribution coefficient
New to structural load calculations?

Follow the calculator step by step

Learn where each input comes from, which units to use, how to read comparison results, and how the default fixed-tilt and tracker examples work.

Calculation basis

Transparent formulas, live results

The environmental-load and tracker-torque chains mirror the supplied workbook. Fixed-tilt member capacity uses design actions entered by the user and should be treated as a separate engineering comparison.

Basic wind pressure w = 0.5 × ρ × V²
Design wind and snow loads ωk = βz × μs × μz × w0   |   sk = μr × s0
Combined member stress σ = N / An + Mx / (γx × Wnx) + My / (γy × Wny)
Tracker unit torque t = T / L1

Preliminary engineering tool only. A “Within input limit” result is not structural certification and does not prove that environmental loads have been converted into member actions. Confirm site wind, snow, exposure, load combinations, member actions, capacities and applicable codes with a qualified structural engineer before design or construction.