Wind uplift

Wind uplift is the upward lifting force that wind can place on a roof, solar array, mounting frame or fixing system. In home energy work it appears most clearly in solar PV design, where modules near roof edges, metal roof cladding, flat-roof mounting systems and ballast all need to resist wind loads as well as equipment weight. It matters because uplift can affect the choice of fixings, ballast, roof-edge spacing, structural checks and whether the roof covering can transfer the loads safely. The term is not a wind-speed forecast or a simple pass/fail planning rule. A note about wind uplift should be read with the mounting design, roof assessment, structural calculation and product instructions for the specific site.