SR Timber is supplying Premium Gold roofing batten for new in-roof solar installer training rigs across the UK to support renewable skills development.
SR Timber has supplied its flagship Premium Gold roofing batten to support the construction of specialised in-roof solar training rigs. The materials are being used to build mock roofing structures designed to train up the next generation of solar PV installers and traditional roofers adapting to microgeneration demand.
As the UK construction sector accelerates towards net-zero targets, the demand for qualified solar installers has outstripped available skilled labour. Integrated in-roof solar systems require precise timber battening to ensure both structural integrity and weatherproofing. SR Timber's donation provides trainees with hands-on experience using graded, BS 5534-compliant battening within dedicated training environments.
Proper batten installation is critical when fitting solar arrays to prevent long-term sag, water ingress, and structural failure under load. Providing standard-compliant timber for training ensures apprentices learn correct spacing, fixing patterns, and ventilation requirements before working on live building sites.
What does this mean for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit — does it change what they should pay, buy, or watch out for? While this donation directly targets training providers rather than retail shelves, it highlights a critical standard for anyone purchasing timber for roof integrated renewables. Tradespeople buying timber for solar retrofits or new builds must ensure they specify fully graded BS 5534 battens, such as SR Timber Premium Gold, rather than standard non-graded slating laths. Choosing correctly graded timber from merchants like Travis Perkins or local timber specialists avoids costly call-backs, ensures full compliance with building regulations, and guarantees the roof sub-structure can handle the weight and wind loads of integrated PV panels.
The initiative reflects a wider push across the building supply chain to bridge the green skills gap. By placing standard materials into training colleges and private provider rigs, the industry aims to standardise quality control across solar installations nationwide.
Reported by Roofing Today — original article
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