PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION

PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION

Investing in rooftop solar power plants on commercial buildings is becoming an increasingly popular way to reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability. However, behind the seemingly simple decision to install panels lie numerous technical, safety, and legal challenges. Mistakes in preparation or execution can lead to structural damage, fires, financial losses, or legal issues. Therefore, it is essential from the very beginning to involve a supervising engineer with experience, who can ensure safety, legal compliance, and the long-term profitability of the system.

1. BUILDING AND SUBSTRUCTURE STATICS

Most often, before construction begins, only the electrical engineering plan of the main project is prepared, along with possibly one generic statement from a civil engineer within that plan, which means that the statics of the substructure itself and a more thorough structural analysis of the building do not exist.

2. PLANNING AND STRUCTURAL CALCULATION BEFORE WORK

The contractor must not be allowed to carry out work on the roof, especially the installation of the substructure, without a prior plan and structural calculation. Special attention should be paid when heavier loads, such as concrete elements, are planned. Preparing calculations according to EUROCODE standards should not be an issue, since manufacturers have the appropriate tools available. It is recommended that the calculation be signed and certified by a licensed civil engineer.

3. LEGAL RESTRICTIONS

According to the legal framework of the Republic of Croatia, a building may be additionally loaded up to 10% of its designed load-bearing capacity, assuming that the structure can withstand it. In practice, however, the actual load-bearing capacity is rarely verified. Therefore, it is recommended that the investor, before placing heavier loads on the roof — especially concrete elements — checks whether the structure can safely sustain such weight. The decision to conduct this verification ultimately rests with the investor.

4. FIRE SAFETY

Solar power plants can complicate firefighting and increase the risk of fire. Even with a professionally prepared design, if confirmations for the main project have not been requested and obtained, a procedural issue remains in the event of an incident. The fact that it is considered a “simple structure” does not exempt one from the obligation to obtain building conditions and approval of the main project. In practice, there are different interpretations, but it is important to note that building conditions and main project approval are issued every time the designer properly submits a request.

Below are several examples of fires at industrial facilities in Croatia which, according to available information, are linked to rooftop solar power plants:

5. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND FIRE PROTECTION

Legislation has not kept pace with the rapid development of solar technologies, so public authorities often do not specify precise requirements for such power plants. Nevertheless, these requirements must be obtained – including from the Ministry of the Interior. Due to the increased risk of fire, it is recommended to engage a fire protection specialist with experience in photovoltaic systems, who can verify the compliance of the main electrical engineering project or prepare a fire protection report. Such a report enhances the safety of the system and provides legal evidence that all parties involved acted responsibly.

6. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

The law stipulates that the investor must engage a Safety Coordinator 2 when multiple contractors are working on the construction site. In the case of a single contractor, this is not mandatory, but it is recommended. Work is carried out at height, near electrical voltages up to 1,500 V, with the movement of the investor’s company employees, lifting of heavy loads by machinery, and the presence of subcontractors. Under such conditions, it is advisable to have a professional responsible for occupational safety – and this comes at a relatively low cost of a few hundred euros per month.

☀️ “I’m not a wealthy enough investor to hire a cheap supervising engineer…”

“The cheapest supervising engineer can turn any investment into the most expensive one…”

Experience shows that a high-quality design, professional supervision, and compliance with legal and technical requirements make the crucial difference – not only for safety but also for the long-term success of the investment.

TESLA d.o.o. is one of the most experienced and conscientious companies in the Republic of Croatia providing design and professional supervision services for the construction of solar power plants. Contact us with full confidence!

Unleash the full potential of your solar power plant project with our experienced team offering professional supervision services.

With years of dedicated experience, we carefully oversee every aspect of construction, ensuring a flawless performance. With your trust in our expertise, we guarantee that your solar power plant is not only built, but optimized for top efficiency, reliability and sustainability.

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