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Going solar with a metal roof might be less of a hassle than you think, especially if you have a standing seam metal roof. Carport
Leonardo David is an electromechanical engineer, MBA, energy consultant and technical writer. His energy-efficiency and solar consulting experience covers sectors including banking, textile manufacturing, plastics processing, pharmaceutics, education, food processing, real estate and retail. He has also been writing articles about energy and engineering topics since 2015.
Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.
Solar power is becoming increasingly attractive for many homeowners. Solar panels qualify for a number of incentives, including a 30% federal tax credit in the U.S., and many brands now offer a product warranty of up to 25-30 years. If you live in a state with expensive electricity, a home solar energy system can achieve a payback period of less than six years, which is only a small fraction of its life expectancy.
Metal roofs are becoming more popular in the U.S. , and they are ideal for solar panel installations. In many cases, the solar racking system can be clamped directly to the metallic seams on your roof. There is no need to drill holes for penetrating mounts, which are necessary when you have a traditional roof with asphalt shingles or tiles.
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Regardless of your type of roof, solar panels need a racking system capable of holding them firmly in place. The mounting system varies depending on your type of roof, and there are three main options:
Penetrating mounts are the traditional option for shingle and tile roofs. The solar installation company will remove some of your shingles to expose the roof structure, and they will drill holes to install penetrating mounts that are bolted in place. This procedure involves plenty of work, and your roof warranty may be negatively affected. If the panel installation is not carried out by qualified professionals, you may have water leakage issues.
Mounting clamps are used if you have a standing seam metal roof. The solar racking system can simply be attached to the roof seams with clamps, which makes the installation much easier. Since there is no drilling involved, the integrity of your roof is not affected. However, keep in mind that corrugated metal roofs don’t have seams, and you will need traditional penetrating mounts in this case.
Ballasted mounts hold the solar racking in place using weights, which are normally made of concrete. While this is a simple option, it can only be used on flat roofs which are more common in commercial buildings. The pitched roofs used by most homes are not suitable for ballasted mounts.
You can also find thin-film solar panels with an adhesive backing from manufacturers like Sunflare . These adhesive panels don’t need a racking system, and they can be used on metal roofs of any type. They are a great option if you have a metal roof without seams.
Solar panels can be installed on any type of metal roof as long as you have the proper mounting system. However, standing seam roofs are considered the best option for solar panels, since racking can be clamped directly to the metal seams.
Corrugated metal roofs don’t have adequate seams for mounting clamps. This means your solar system must be attached with traditional penetrating mounts, similar to those used in asphalt shingle roofs. As an alternative, you can avoid drilling holes by using adhesive thin-film panels.
Standing seam metal roofs make solar installations easier and faster. Using mounting clamps, you can attach the panel racking system directly to the metal seams. Of course, you also have the option of adhesive thin-film panels in this case.
As of 2023, the typical cost of a 6-kilowatt home solar system ranges from $16,000 to $21,000. This means you can expect to pay between $2,667 and $3,500 per kilowatt of capacity. You can use the Guides Home Team solar calculator to estimate your cost ahead of getting a quote .
Installing solar panels is much simpler when you have a standing seam metal roof. This may reduce your labor costs slightly, but the impact on overall project costs is minimal. According to data gathered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , labor represents less than 10% of the cost of a typical home solar system.
However, a solar installation with mounting clamps offers a couple of advantages beyond labor cost savings.
The top solar installers know how to work with any type of roof, and they can design the optimal racking system for your photovoltaic array.
Metal roofs are characterized by their durability, and they can last for several decades. This makes them ideal for solar panels, which now have a typical warranty coverage of 25 to 30 years. On the other hand, traditional shingle and tile roofs have shorter lifespans, and you may be forced to replace the roof while your solar panels are still in good working condition.
Metal roofs also offer energy efficiency advantages. You can find metal roofing systems with reflective paints, which are designed to minimize solar heat gain during summer. Since this reduces the amount of heat entering your home, you save on air conditioning costs. To achieve the best results, you should look for a roofing contractor who uses materials approved by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) .
Energy efficient metal roofs are also known as cool roofs. According to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , an efficient roof that reflects 80% of sunlight on a hot summer day will be 55°F cooler, compared with a traditional roof reflecting only 20% of sunlight. Cool metal roofs can achieve synergy with solar panels.
There are three main types of solar panels for homes: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As long as you use the right mounting system, they can be used in all types of roofs. The Guides Home Team compiled a list of the best panel options for homes in 2023, based on a comparison of multiple brands and modules. We also have a guide that focuses specifically on affordable solar panel options .
Regardless of the type of roof, PV solar panels produce energy by absorbing solar radiation. The photovoltaic material absorbs photons (light particles), generating voltage and current in response. A solar panel combines the power output of multiple PV cells, and several panels can be wired together into a single power generation system.
Professional installers can determine how many solar panels are needed to cover the electricity needs of your home while designing the optimal racking system for your roof.
Metal roofs are an eco-friendly option for homeowners. They can reduce solar heat gain during summer, lowering your air conditioning costs and energy footprint. Metal roofs offer an additional benefit if you’re considering solar panels, since their installation becomes much simpler.
For many people, solar is a worthwhile investment . According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity prices increased by nearly 13% between January 2022 and January 2023. However, this also means the energy generated by solar panels yields higher savings on your power bill. Most homeowners who go solar can expect a payback period of less than eight years, while the manufacturer warranty covers the panels for 25 to 30 years.
Stand-alone solar panels can reduce your electric bills consistently each month, but you can enhance the capabilities of your system with add-ons like batteries and heat pumps.
If you’re considering going solar, a knowledgeable local professional can provide more information about installing solar panels on your metal roof.
Yes, solar panels can be used on metal roofs. If you have a standing seam metal roof in particular, installing solar panels becomes even easier. The racking system can be clamped directly to the roof seams, and there is no need to drill holes.
On the other hand, if you have a traditional shingle or tile roof, your solar panels need penetrating mounts. They use bolted connections, which means the roof structure must be drilled.
Generally, a traditional solar installation with penetrating mounts will void the roof warranty.
On the other hand, the warranty is normally conserved if your solar panels use non-penetrating clamps, or if you install adhesive thin-film panels.
However, you should ask your roofing provider before installing PV modules, since there may be exceptions in both cases.
The mounting system is the component that keeps your solar panels attached firmly to the roof. Photovoltaic modules are held in place by a racking system, and the racking is anchored to your roof with specially designed mounts. The three main options are penetrating mounts, non-penetrating clamps and ballasted mounts.
Leonardo David is an electromechanical engineer, MBA, energy consultant and technical writer. His energy-efficiency and solar consulting experience covers sectors including banking, textile manufacturing, plastics processing, pharmaceutics, education, food processing, real estate and retail. He has also been writing articles about energy and engineering topics since 2015.
Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.
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