Hidden-Fastener Solar Mount proves its strength in CSA up-lift testing
Martin Solar’s Hidden-Fastener Solar Mount (HFSM) just passed independent mechanical testing from CSA Group — and the results back up what the southern Illinois roofing company has been saying: This new shingle-roof solar mount is a leak-proof alternative to traditional mounting methods, and one of the most resilient direct-to-deck solar mounts currently on the market.
Hidden-Fastener CSA test results
HFSM was tested in conjunction with Unirac rails and panel clamps in the uplift direction, where it held firm to loads six times greater than the UL 2703 standard, which includes an additional safety factor of 1.5x. The mode of failure was also noteworthy: After withstanding 2,673 lbs of system weight with no rupture, the rail began to deform, and at 3,500 lbs, a panel clamp finally dislodged.
“Up-lift resistance has always been HFSM’s weakest aspect,” said Preston Nelson, Director of Martin Solar and co-inventor of HFSM. “Seeing that HFSM’s weakest point endures to a load six-times greater than the standard requirement provides confidence in our mount’s long-term form and function.”
According to Nelson, what makes HFSM unique is how it behaves under extreme forces.
“Most all other mounting hardware on the market is totally rigid, meaning that things break during extreme up-lift events, like tornadoes,” Nelson said. “What breaks first? It could be a panel clamp, a rail splice, or a section of roofing. In the unique case of HFSM, the extreme forces are first absorbed over a deformation range, which divides force over space and time — similar to the function of an airbag or bungee cord. This reduces the likelihood of hardware breakage, which only occurred in testing after HFSM reached the end of its deformation range.”
Roof-first design
Martin Solar and Martin Roofing, based in Mascoutah, Illinois, developed HFSM to solve one of the most basic yet persistent complaints homeowners have about rooftop solar: water intrusion.
“On one hand, solar panels work to extend the longevity of shingles by shielding shingles from the harshest weather,” Nelson told Solar Builder in April 2024. “On the other hand, solar installations have created countless millions of holes in shingles via the solar systems’ traditional mounting methods.”
HFSM avoids that dilemma entirely. The mount slides beneath the shingles and attaches via the nail strip, eliminating exposed penetrations. The fasteners are concealed under the shingles, allowing water to flow as it normally would — with no caulk, boots or sealants needed.
HFSM rail compatibility
HFSM is compatible with a variety of solar racking systems — including Unirac, IronRidge, SunModo and Pegasus rails — and can be installed either direct-to-deck or into trusses.
“As a direct-to-deck option, it is sturdier than anything else we can find on the market, and therefore requires fewer mounts per rail than competitors,” Nelson said.
HFSM is guaranteed leak-free for the full term of a roof’s warranty. For new roofs, that means 30 to 50 years depending on the shingle. On retrofits, the guarantee matches the current warranty of the existing roof. The oldest retrofit installation so far was on a 15-year-old roof.
