Tips For Metal Roof Solar Mounting
If youre convinced that fixing solar panels for metal roofs is a good idea, there are a few points to consider before proceeding with the installation. First of all, check the strength of your metal roof. Some roofs are too thin or are not well attached to your homes foundation, which can cause problems later when the panels are ready to be mounted.
If they are a few decades old, you may want to consider replacing them before you move. If your roof has insulation underneath, you may need spacers when you attach your panels so that the insulation is not crushed.
Find the perfect fastener that will fit your metal roof solar panels. Theres no point in trying to bend your roof seal just to make the collar fit, as this will void your roofs limited warranty. Take measurements before you purchase the collar to make sure you have the right size.
If you have an inverted seam apron, you may find markings that allow it to be installed without disrupting the flow of water on your roof or crushing the apron due to space limitations.
Also consider using waterproof, self-piercing screws. This will protect the surface of your panel and the roof underneath from corrosion. This will also keep your roof warranty intact and safe from cancellation. If in doubt, consult a structural engineer, who can help you identify the right tools and brackets to secure the panels chosen in your roofing system.
Your Home Will Be Eco
You can and should put solar panels on a metal roof for all of the above reasons. Perhaps this one is the most important of all, though: they will transform your abode into an eco-friendly place for you and your family to live.
No longer do you have to rely on your local utility service to power your home. Instead, youll pay to have solar panels installed, and then you may not have to worry about paying power bills ever again.
Cutting down on resource usage saves you money, but it protects the planet, too. Lowering the demand for traditional sources of energy will make it less cost-effective and make alternative sources even more attractive. In other words, you could set the trend with your choice in solar power.
Best of all, at the end of the lifespan of your metal roof, you can recycle it and install a new, eco-friendly metal roof. The same goes for solar panels theyre made to be recyclable, too.
So, you can feel good about installing them on your metal roof safely. And you can feel even better about how much youre doing for the planet, just by harnessing the suns natural energy.
Metal Roofs Are No Problem For Solar Installations
By Kelly Pickerel | March 1, 2018
For solar installers most familiar with comp shingle or tile roofs, encountering a metal roof can be challenging. Besides just the many different types of metal, there are also different metal roofing systems. If the structure has a standing seam roof, solar installation is somewhat easier. Panel mounts clamp to the seam without penetrations. Trapezoidal and corrugated metal roofs, though, often require a direct attachment to the roofing structure. Flashing cant be slid underneath, so waterproofing is especially important.
The profile of a corrugated roof is not strong enough to support the mounting system, so the roof attachments are required to penetrate the roof material and attach to the structural member, said Cody Norman, senior applications engineer with SnapNrack Solar Mounting Solutions.
SnapNracks Corrugated Straddle Block can be used on sinusoidal corrugated and trapezoidal metal roofs
To further complicate things, there are several variations of metal roofs. For example, sinusoidal corrugated roofings ridges and grooves are closer together, in a consistent wave-like pattern. Trapezoidal roofing has more flat space in between peaks. The type of metal roof will affect the type of solar mounting system needed for a successful install.
Each mounting manufacturer has a different design and way to attach to sinusoidal corrugated roofs.
The Solar Connections Corrugated PowerMount
About The Author
Kelly Pickerel
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Metal Roofs Are No Problem For Solar Panels
As you can see, if you have a metal roof on your home or business, going solar is no problem. There are many products on the market that will allow you to mount solar panels.
In fact, metal roofs are the best type of roof to pair with solar panels. Because metal roofs have such long lifespans, thereâs much less of a chance of developing a roof leak that will require you to pay the extra cost of removing and reinstalling the solar panels.
And if you have a standing seam metal roof, thatâs the best situation of all because you can use a clamp system that doesnât put holes into your nice roof. This also reduces the installation labor and your system costs.
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Can You Put Solar Panels On A Metal Roof
Installing solar panels on a metal roof is a straightforward process. Installation technicians can attach mounting hardware along the seams of the roof for superior strength and UV absorption.
But no matter what type of roof your home has, switching to solar power can help reduce your monthly utility bills and increase the value of your home. Going solar has never been more accessible or more affordable!
Are you interested in learning more about residential solar panel installation? If so, please contact us today for more information!
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Advantages Of Installing Solar On A Metal Roof:
Metal roof has good amount of advantage over asbestos roof and even RCC roof, lets look into some important one
Benefits Of Having Solar Panels
Purchasing and installing solar panels isnt a small task. Homeowners can expect to spend several thousand dollars on upgrading their homes with solar power sources.
But the benefits of having solar panels far outweigh the initial costs, especially over time. Some of the most notable of these benefits include:
- Reduced electricity bills each month
- Less dependence on the local power company
- Increased property value
Additionally, if your home creates more energy than it consumes, the local power company may end up owing you money! As such, choosing to switch to solar energy is often financially and ecologically beneficial.
Even if you plan on moving out of your current home within the next several years, you may want to consider installing solar panels. Thats because solar power can significantly increase a homes overall value.
You may also be able to take advantage of solar energy incentives and rebates. Occasionally, homeowners see a complete financial return on their solar investments thanks to these helpful programs.
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Suntegra Tile And Shingle
SunTegra offers its clients two solar products solar shingles and solar tiles. The former can be installed on top of your existing roof, while the latter serves as a replacement for concrete tiles. Since they dont offer a non-photovoltaic option, they are integrated with conventional shingles and tiles.
An interesting feature on the Shingles is the air channels that are attached to the back of the panels to keep them cooler.
This feature is unique to SunTegra and improves the efficiency of the shingles. Furthermore, theyre very low profile and are easy to integrate into your existing roof.
Moreover, SunTegra panels have monocrystalline cells and a peak output of 100-110 watts. They come with a 25-year power warranty and a 10-year product warranty.
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Pairing Solar Panels With Metal Roofs
In trying to achieve specific outcomes within the realm of sustainability, architects and designers are increasingly learning to pair technologies for improved efficiency or performance. One case in point can be found with the combination of solar photovoltaic power systems mounted to a standing-seam metal roofa result that brings together renewable energy with longevity.
The cost of solar generated electric power is continuing to become a more attractive alternative to electric power generated by traditional methods because of reduced cost for components and new developments in cost-saving mounting techniques. Coupled with choosing the right platform for those solar panels, the long-term costs can make a solar power system a very attractive proposition.
Importance of the platformSince the expected life of a solar power system is 30 to 35 years, it is well beyond the lifespan of most conventional roofs. Generally, the service life of a built-up roof or membrane roof is anywhere from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Consequently, there is a mismatch between the longevity of the base below the solar array and that of the solar array itself. This means there will be significant cost incurred during the lifespan of that solar power system due to the teardown and disassembly of the system during a reroof cycle.
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Solar Panels For Metal Roofing
The solar industry is growing, perhaps because of the worlds initiative to commit to more sustainable energy sources. After all, coal-fired power plants will eventually run out of coal or fossil fuels as long as the sun is there.
Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells and are attached to the roof surface of a house or building to expose them to the sun and allow them to absorb photons, which they can partially convert into electrical energy.
As more and more people want to turn to solar energy, there is growing concern about whether these sun-dependent materials are good for them. Some fear that solar panels for metal roofing may not be as efficient. Others are hesitant because the cost may not be well offset by the energy savings if they are to be implemented.
This article will address one such hesitation. This article will address the question of whether metal roof types can accommodate solar equipment. It will also indicate whether this type of fastening is recommended.
Solar Metal Roofs Can Host Thin
The majority of homeowners with solar in the United States are installing standard silicon photovoltaic solar panels, but homes with metal roofs have another option thin film solar. Thin film solar can only be installed on certain types of roofs, and standing seam metal roofs are an ideal surface.
While PV panels offer higher efficiency per square foot, thin film solar panels have a lower profile and are easier to install. They also require much less energy to manufacture than silicon solar cells, which can make them a lower-emissions renewable energy option from the start.
MiaSolé, a California-based thin film solar panel manufacturer, markets their panels as an ideal option for properties with metal roofs. You can read more about them in EnergySages company overview.
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Slate And Concrete Tile Roofs
Much like clay tiles, both slate and concrete tiles are usually removed and replaced during the solar panel installation process. In some cases, installers will drill through the tiles themselves, but its more common to remove the tiles and replace them with a mounting foot and flashing because of the brittleness of slate and concrete.
Solar Panel Brackets For Corrugated Metal Roofs
Corrugated steel roofs are the original type of metal roof. Theyâre what you might see on a barn or other industrial settings, but theyâve found use on residential homes for people who like the industrial aesthetic.
As is the case with r-panel mountings, solar mounts for corrugated roofs have to penetrate the roof. This means waterproofing is critical.
Below is an example from the manufacturer Solar Connections. Like the S-5 product above, this PowerMount mount includes an EPDM gasket on the base, but the manufacturer does recommend that you apply a bead of caulk as well. PowerMount by Solar Connections
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Solar Panels Work On Many Different Property And Roof Types
Regardless of what kind of roof is over your head tiled, flat, wooden, and others a solar energy installation can help you save money on electricity bills. Especially with unique roof materials and shapes, its always a good idea to get multiple quotes from reputable, experienced installers. The best way to find and compare quotes from solar companies near you is by registering your property on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. When you join, youll indicate the location of your property on satellite imagery so that installers can provide custom quotes given the size and material of your roof. You can also leave a note in your profile indicating your roof material type after joining.
Pros Of Installing Solar Panels On A Metal Roof
The considerations you must make when planning solar panel installation on a metal roof are few but important. However, in most cases, it is actually preferable to install panels on a metal roof instead of a traditional, asphalt shingle roof. Pros of installing solar panels on a metal roof include:
- Durability. One of the number one factors in any decision to install solar panels is their relatively considerable cost, as well as the cost of installation. Since it can cost as much as $2500, or more, to install a solar panel system that ranges anywhere between $10,000 and $15,000 itself, most homeowners prefer to install their solar panel system only once. However, since residential asphalt shingle roofs last from 10 to 30 years once installed, homeowners installing solar panels on top of asphalt shingle roofs risk having their solar panels outlive their roof by as many as ten years.
If a roof supporting a solar panel system needs to be replaced, the solar paneling will need to be removed for the duration of the roofing project and then replaced once it is over. Many roofing companies will not handle removal and installation, necessitating another installation fee from the solar company. In addition, you risk damaging your solar panels from frequent moving.
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The Best Roofs For Solar Panels: What Are The Different Roof Types You Can Install Solar Panels On
Solar can be installed on almost any roof here are some of the most commonly used roof materials that solar installers will encounter on the job:
- Asphalt shingles
- Wood
- Metal
While solar panels can be safely and effectively installed on all of the above roof materials, the exact installation processes may differ. As such, there is no best roof for solar panels can go on just about any roof material. Below, well look at each of the various roof materials and how installers secure solar panels to each.
Where Should I Install
Thankfully, a singular form of metal roofing is not the only requirement for success with this installation. There are many adjustments we can make in order to form-fit your solar panels to your metal roof. They are as follows:
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Solar Panels Amplify The Benefits Of A Metal Roof
Most sellers wait between one and two months to receive an offer on their homes. To speed up the process, theyll upgrade finishes and features to make the property even more attractive to buyers.
A metal roof is one such selling point. Builders go for metal because its a cooling feature: it reflects light, whereas asphalt shingles absorb the suns rays and heat.
If you add solar panels, youll get an even more substantial cooling effect. Theyll soak up the suns energy while keeping the underlying roof cooler than before. Thats a win-win for you and your energy bills.
