It appears that securing PV A-frames to flat roofs by using Jewsons gravel bags as ballast, is not a twenty year fix

Not hearing the happy hum of our inverter t'other day, I ventured into the attic to discover zero production. Strange; it was sunny. Out on the roof, one cable was disconnected, another so taut it was acting as a guy line to a bank of four panels. They had marched a foot towards the edge of the flat roof...

Last year, on our other flat roof, I had inserted cut-up old paving slabs into the rear flanges of the frames. This seemed a good substitute for the bird-pecked, splitting, uv degrading clear plastic bags slumped over the bases. Did I then immediately go purchase new slabs and swap out the bags on the remainder? Labelling myself a bit of an eco warrior, I disliked the idea of fresh concrete slabs; surely some would crop up soon from a job? Then it was Christmas/ raining/ had a cold/ etc. Just plain dropped the ball.

I accept this is 'school of the flipping obvious' stuff but if you have any doubts about the security of your panels, please listen to that little voice and avoid a potentially disastrous scenario. As it was, I only lost perhaps 15 kw/h production and some pride.

To your ladders!