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VOICES: Adrian Lehmann, APAC Business Development Manager, S-5! logo

By Abhishek Jadhav | May 21, 2025

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This article is sponsored by S-5!. In this VOICES interview, Solar Power World spoke with Adrian Lehmann, APAC Business Development Manager at S-5!, to discuss the challenges and solutions in rooftop solar installations and the company’s approach to a more sustainable solar future.

Solar Power World: Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in the renewable sector? What led you to join S-5!?

Adrian Lehmann: Before I began my career in the renewable sector, I worked as a business improvement consultant. Later, I started consulting for a commercial solar company. I initially collaborated with the installation team on rooftops to analyze the installation processes and procedures, identifying inefficiencies and suggesting improvements. My responsibilities eventually expanded, and I joined the team, working across multiple departments, from installation and procurement to logistics and project management.

During those six years, we began to use S-5! on solar projects. My experience with the products gave me a positive impression of S-5! attachment solutions, as it made total sense from a business improvement perspective. During my first project with S-5!, I worked on a large-scale solar installation project of 1.4 megawatts. A project of that size typically requires multiple semi-trailer loads of mounting rails. By using the S-5! DirectAttach solar mounting system, we significantly reduced the material footprint from several semi-trailers down to just two skids. Since metal roofs already have built-in rails (ribs or seams), this simplification improved logistics while also speeding up our installation time, which was a turning point in appreciating the value of S-5!

At the time of this project, the S-5! team noticed my enthusiasm for their products. They approached me with an offer to join the team, and that’s how I started working with S-5! I have worked with them for over a year as a Business Development Manager, handling the Australian and New Zealand markets, with additional involvement in the APAC region.

Solar Power World: With your experience as an installer, what were some of the key challenges you often encountered during rooftop solar installations — especially on metal roofs? In what ways does S-5! address those installer pain points?

Adrian Lehmann: One thing that is different with S-5! is how we design specific clamps and brackets for various metal roof types. We aim to avoid creating unnecessary holes in the roof and only penetrate the roof when necessary (due to the roof profile). When we do use penetrative attachments, S-5! has always incorporated the highest-quality factory-applied sealing methods and materials combined with part designs that result in lifetime performance. This approach minimizes concerns about potential leakages, and customers do not have to worry about warranties.

When it comes to roof safety, our attachment solutions help reduce the time staff need to work on the roof. Additionally, the design of our attachments does not present the same trip hazards typically associated with traditional rail-based systems. (Fall protection companies have widely used our products to install roof-safety gear for over 30 years.)

Another important factor to consider is the geographic location of the solar panel installation. If you’re near the coast or in harsh weather conditions, corrosion can be a concern with certain materials. With S-5!, this is not a concern as the products are made of non-corrosive, metallurgically compatible materials that can be installed in various environmental conditions. As a result, many businesses and installers choose S-5! because we specialize in all types of metal roofs and can provide technical assistance.

When we were doing high-rise buildings, typically you would need to use a large crane to hoist rails to the top, which can cost more than $100,000 in many cases. With S-5!, because everything is so compact in boxes, their mounting gear can be taken up in a lift to the roof instead of using cranes. While eliminating the need for cutting rails onsite, completing the work is much more cost-effective and easier with zero scrap.

Solar Power World: What are the most significant differences between rail and rail-less solar mounting systems, and where do you see a significant advantage?

Adrian Lehmann: S-5! DirectAttach systems use a significantly smaller amount of material. Compared to traditional rail systems, we’ve reduced material requirements by 85%, with the system occupying only about 10% of the volume. This makes it a cost-effective logistics option for delivering roof attachments worldwide and reduces carbon footprint by 85%.

Additionally, when you’re attaching panels to roofs, S-5! provides 25% better load distribution with our rail-less system. You use three components per panel instead of 10 in rail-based systems. Most installation companies we work with save between 30% and 50% on labor costs.

When you install rail-less solutions, it’s a lay-and-play system. Instead of installing all the feet, then the rails, and then coming back to attach the panels, you install two brackets, then a panel, then two brackets and another panel.

Rail-less systems offer many more efficiency benefits. It just requires shifting the mindset of installers to embrace the simplicity of using rail-less systems. With S-5!, there are numerous advantages that make the transition worthwhile.

Solar Power World: As installers choose a rail-less setup for cost efficiency, easy installation, and safety, what advice would you offer to those considering the switch?

Adrian Lehmann: The biggest thing about switching to rail-less is changing your mindset. Recently, at a trade show, I heard feedback about our products and discussions around what the installers did for the installation. They had the same mindset as if they were using rails. When using rails, you install all the mounting and racking equipment first, then return to the roof to install the panels. This point surfaced a couple of times, and one installer mentioned that he installed all the brackets first, which took a long time because he had to set all the string lines and lasers to get it right. If you install it in the way our product is designed, in a lay-and-play fashion, you save a lot of time and effort. When you introduce someone to a new product without explanation, they think they must do it the old way. So, I think that’s the biggest thing. It’s all about understanding the products and changing your mindset to take advantage of the benefits of S-5! products.

Solar Power World: What do installers need to know about wire management when working with a rail-less system and how important is wire management when working on solar PV installations?

Adrian Lehmann: Wire management is very important. With rail-based systems, everyone simply runs the cable along the rail itself. During my time at my previous company, we did that, and it was somewhat of a hassle. We faced several issues where installers crimped the DC cable with the panels, causing faults.

When we switched to S-5!, everything became much simpler. Instead of running separate wiring for strings, we used the solar panels themselves to form the strings. For instance, in an array with 20 panels arranged in two columns of 10, you can use one row as the outbound path and the adjacent row as the return. You start at one end, go up the first column of 10 panels, then come back down the second column of 10. This approach ensures that the positive and negative leads meet at the same location, streamlining both layout and wiring.

Additionally, reducing the length of the DC cable running under the panels reduces your cable runs. A shorter run means less voltage drop. This not only decreases costs but also makes it more probable for any faults to be exposed rather than hidden under the panels.

Solar Power World: Can you walk us through a few of the large-scale commercial projects where you’ve used S-5!’s PVKIT or other attachment solutions? What impact did those products have on the project outcomes?

Adrian Lehmann: I’ve been involved in numerous large-scale projects, including megawatt -plus installations in shopping centers, factories and even high-rise buildings across Australia. One particularly interesting recent project was an off-grid setup for a transport company. They had a massive 4.4-megawatt installation to charge up to 13 megawatts of batteries used to fast-charge their local fleet of new electric trucks.

We got involved, and one of the first things we realized was that the warehouse purlins were spaced too far apart to install traditional rails. However, with our PVKIT rail-less solar mount, we encountered no issues at all, as our brackets (specifically the RibBracket) can be installed anywhere along the ribs of the roof.

What was impressive was how quickly the setup was installed. During the first half of the project, four installers on the team had never installed solar before. In their second week, they installed 337 panels in one day from scratch, totaling just over 170 kilowatts. The director of the installation company called me at the end of that day, very pleased because they had tight deadlines, which significantly helped them stay on track.

Solar Power World: What is S-5!’s broader approach to a more sustainable and cost-effective solar future?

Adrian Lehmann: At S-5!, we’re very focused on Environmental Social and Governance. Our products use significantly less aluminum—85% less than most other industry companies. In that respect, we’re already reducing our footprint in terms of raw material usage. Additionally, we’re reducing the carbon footprint regarding transportation logistics.

All our products are 100% recyclable aluminum and stainless with a limited warranty for the life of the roof. Therefore, we’re not expecting to replace brackets or clamps over the life of the project.

Moreover, there’s a strong international push for modern anti-slavery policies. S-5! is the one that can tick that box and leads the industry in this regard. We have an aggressive anti-slavery policy, and our raw materials are sourced from North America and manufactured in Texas.

To learn more, visit S-5!.

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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