Hidden Fastener Solar Mount Solutions
Engineered Rivet Systems for Discreet, Durable PV Structures
Clean Looks. Secure Locks.
Discover Rivmate’s Hidden Rivet Fasteners for Professional Solar Mounting
What Problems Do Hidden Fasteners Solve in Solar Mounting?
- After installation, the bolts are exposed, and the appearance of the system is messy and not uniform.
- Rivet mandrels are exposed and easily corroded, forming leaks
- The connection part is easy to be dismantled, and there is a risk of theft prevention.
- Roof construction space is limited, double-sided operation is not possible
- Plate thickness/hole diameter is not uniform, large installation tolerances, high failure rate
Rivmate Hidden Rivet Solar Mount Solution Highlights
Rivmate’s hidden rivets are designed specifically for Solar Mount systems. Not only do they meet the basic needs of structural connections, but they are optimized for appearance, safety, construction efficiency and system compatibility.
The Rivmate Hidden Rivet is not only optimized for appearance, but also engineered with a reinforced internal structure, thus ensuring a stable connection over time.
- Closed-End construction design with a fully locked mandrel that will not loosen or corrode.
- Supports one-sided installation (Blind Rivet construction), eliminating the need for back support and making it ideal for overhead or roofing applications.
- Structural rivets with ≥5kN shear strength, tested to ISO 14589 / DIN 7337 / ASTM F1470 standards.
- Supports a wide range of clamping thicknesses (0.8mm to 12mm+) for aluminum, steel tile, composite panels and other material combinations.
- Adaptable to: roof rails, inverter housings, bracket base plates and color steel tiles, etc., where shear/seismic resistance is required.
Rivmate Hidden Rivet Fasteners are more than just “structural connectors”, they are a closed-loop defense for the safety of your PV system in open spaces. Our industrial-grade, irreversible connectors are designed to prevent theft, tampering, and vandalism, and to protect the long-term operation of each and every one of your PV modules.
- Mandrels are locked and cannot be pulled out or reset from the outside: After riveting, the mandrel is completely embedded in the rivet cavity through mechanical occlusion or compression. The mandrel stub cannot be manually removed or penetrated to avoid contact with break-in tools.
- No Reversible Construction, Cannot be “Loosened” or Removed: Unlike traditional screw construction, Rivmate Hidden Rivets cannot be repeatedly loosened or screwed out. The rivets are permanently deformed by the material to which they are attached and can only be removed by destroying the material itself.
- Used in scenarios where a high level of security is required
- With the hidden structure, to realize the double effect of “invisible + can not be removed”.
Easily installed and efficiently adapted to the construction environment
All of Rivmate’s concealed rivets are optimized for bulk construction in the field:
No need for two people to operate, one side of the riveting can be completed fastening, labor saving
Compatible with all major pneumatic/electric rivet guns for clean, low tolerance core breakage.
No trimming, sanding or re-treatment required after installation, improving construction consistency
SOP installation specifications, tension test values and tool recommendation lists are available to assist in the establishment of standardized workflows.
📌 Especially suitable for EPC projects with high installation difficulty, limited space and large batch work volume
Hidden Rivet Fastener Solar Mount Applications
Blind Rivets are one of the most critical fasteners for rooftop photovoltaic installations due to their single-sided mounting, strong connection, simple structure, and adaptability to a variety of material thickness. Rivmate offers a wide range of blind rivets specifically developed for different connection areas to meet the requirements of structural strength, corrosion resistance, waterproofing and construction efficiency.
1. The rail base is connected to the roof structure (e.g. color steel tile, steel purlin).
Purpose of use: To realize the structural fixing between the main bracket system and the roof, and to resist wind load, snow load and thermal expansion and contraction stress.
Commonly used position: C-type steel purlin, metal roof beams, fixed bracket feet
Recommended blind rivet type:
- Monobolt Rivet: high tensile and shear resistance, locking of the mandrel after installation, suitable for main structure connection.
- Lockbolt: Alternative to nut + washer solution, more vibration resistant, more anti-loosening.
Benefits: High strength, structural stability, no need for a back support, suitable for metal connections where the back is inaccessible.
2. Internal connection between the aluminum frame and the side/center block.
Purpose of use: Concealed locking of the component frame, avoiding the use of external bolts to affect the appearance or the risk of theft and dismantling.
Commonly used locations: Aluminum bezel inserts + inside of the structural member of the press block.
Recommended Blind Rivet Types: Flat-head Closed-End Rivet
Advantage Description: No exposed mandrels, flush surface after installation. Closed end prevents water ingress or loosening of the mandrel and is suitable for visible areas of the roof system
3. cable tray, control box shell, electrical cover and other accessories assembly
Purpose of use: fast installation of auxiliary materials to ensure construction efficiency while providing good seismic and reliability
Commonly used locations: the back of the module cable routing structure, inverter bracket, cable clamps
Recommended blind rivet types:
- Multi-Grip Rivets: Wide grip range to accommodate a wide range of board thicknesses.
- Bulb-Tite Rivets: Suitable for soft and deformed materials, uniform riveting, fast construction.
Advantageous description: high tolerance, suitable for complex installation environments, holes of varying accuracy of the accessory scene
4. Sealed areas such as waterproof deflector plates, lower sealing plates, ventilation plates, etc.
Purpose of use: To realize a sealed structural connection in areas prone to water ingress, preventing mandrel residue or water vapor from backing up.
Commonly used locations: drainage sealing plate under the component, aluminum tile interface plate, bottom auxiliary structure.
Recommended Blind Rivet Type: Closed-End Blind Rivets
Benefits: Hole-less end design, completely enclosed mandrel to prevent rust, rainwater intrusion, and increased IP protection of the connection area
5. Connection between building integrated system (BIPV) roof modules and support skeleton
Purpose of use: fixing power generation modules on lightweight materials such as metal tiles, composite panels, etc., requiring low expansion stresses and concealed installation.
Commonly used locations: aluminum tiles → mezzanine keel, back of BIPV panels
Recommended blind rivet type: Tri-Fold Rivets
Advantage description: high compatibility, low point pressure, suitable for composite structures with roof panels ≤ 1.2 mm, avoiding bulging or cracking of the panels.
FAQs About Hidden Fastener Solar Mount Solutions
1. Which PV system scenarios are suitable for the use of hidden rivets?
A: Concealed rivets are suitable for the pursuit of neat appearance, anti-theft and anti-tampering, structural leakage-proof solar racking system. Including: residential roof photovoltaic system, BIPV building photovoltaic curtain wall, color steel tile roof power station, inverter control box, cable bridge cover and so on.
2. Can Rivmate's hidden rivets be removed after installation?
A: No. Rivmate’s hidden rivets all utilize an irreversible mechanical locking mandrel construction. The mandrel locks inside the rivet body after breakage and cannot be removed by conventional tools, effectively preventing illegal disassembly or theft of components.
3. Are the rivets susceptible to rust in wet or seaside areas?
A: Rivmate’s hidden rivets have passed ≥240 hours of salt spray testing, with some models reaching ≥1000 hours. Stainless steel mandrels, Dacromet treated or aluminum alloy fully enclosed structures are available to ensure long-term corrosion-resistant and stable operation.
