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From industrial facilities to agricultural buildings and retail shopping centers, metal roofs can be found on commercial properties all over the world as a long-lasting, low-maintenance construction solution. Today, metal roofs are also growing in popularity on residential properties, now making up nearly 18% of the 2023 US market according to industry estimates.See AlsoL Feet - Solar PV Mounting Kit ManufacturerL Feet Solar Metal Roof Mounting Systems
With durable steel, aluminum, or copper materials and long expected product lifetimes, metal roofs and PV solar systems are a great match. However, when compared to an installation on an everyday asphalt shingle roof, mounting solar panels on a metal surface can require additional attention to detail, including several project-specific variables.
While some solar companies shy away from installations on metal roofs, taking on these projects can help you stay ahead of the competition. To create great customer experiences and grow your business, this guide outlines essential best practices for mounting solar energy systems on metal roofs.
Metal roofing materials come in many different forms and can usually be repainted in any color. When choosing metal roof mounts for PV systems, picking the right parts for the exact type of roofing material on-site is essential. With a full understanding of metal roof types and their corresponding solar mounting solutions, you can instantly build trust with customers, quickly design an accurate PV system, and seamlessly fulfill projects without any hidden surprises.
While we recommend this resource from the Building America Solution Center for a deep dive into the subject matter, the table below defines the three main types of metal roofs solar installers should be prepared to face today.
| Metal shingles | Metal shingles (or metal tiles) resemble asphalt, wood, or clay roofing materials, with many styles, shapes, and sizes available. |
| Metal panels | There are two main types of metal panel roofing: Exposed fastener (also known as screw-down) panels and standing seam (or vertical seam) panels. |
| Corrugated metal roofing | Common on commercial buildings and sometimes used residentially, corrugated metal roofs have a distinct wavy appearance. |
Best Practices for Mounting Solar on Metal Roofs
To deliver great PV solutions for residential and commercial customers, here are four best practices to follow while installing solar on metal rooftops.
1. Pinpoint Screw Type and Length
When drilling through metal and into wood (or additional metal), special self-drilling screws are necessary to safely and securely fasten your mounting hardware. Before drilling, consult either a structural engineer or the roofing manufacturer to help identify the best screws for the project, based on the specific roof as well as what is beneath the roof’s surface. As foam insulation can be found directly below some metal roofs, a spacer can sometimes be necessary to ensure there is no damage when screwing in your solar mounts.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Metal Roof Manipulation for Solar Installation
While installing solar mounts on a metal surface, manipulating building materials can void roof warranties and potentially cause major problems. For this reason, you should never bend a seam on a metal panel roof while installing PV mounting materials or impact a corrugated surface in such a way that could jeopardize its structural integrity. During the installation itself, it is also very important for your team to use fall protection that is compatible with a metal roof so that no unnecessary damage or leaks occur when the anchor is removed.
3. Never Disrupt Potential Water Flow
On corrugated surfaces and metal panel roofing, small vertical valleys often exist that allow water to safely flow off of the building. Particularly on metal roofs with reverse-seam decks, these valleys can be very narrow, and bulky mounting materials may potentially cause water blockages. As liquid or sediment build-up can lead to disastrous consequences, it is vital to find and correctly install metal roofing solar mounts that always allow water to flow unaffected with minimal roof impact.
4. Use Corrosion-Resistant Sealant
While most metal roofing screws and mounts have a gasket for waterproofing, additional measures can help ensure your installations’ overall safety and weatherproofing. As metal roofs do not always have sufficient space or the strength to install solar flashing, all metal roof penetrations should be sealed with a corrosion-resistant, UL-listed sealant for long-term protection against the elements and potential leaks.
SunModo: Your Metal Roof Solar Mounting Partner
Empowering PV companies with hardware solutions for every type of project, SunModo’s Metal Roof Mounts are designed for easy installation and durable performance. For simple and secure solar racking, all metal roof attachments can be paired with the SMR pitched roof system.
- MRB® : The most versatile metal roof solar attachment on the market, the MRB™ can be secured to metal or wood decking, comes preassembled with an adhesive gasket, and easily adjusts to fit any roof type or shape.
- NanoBit®: Enabling unparalleled installation speed, the NanoBit™ can accelerate your metal roof solar project fulfillment with one simple lag bolt required for fast rafter mounting. Occupying minimal space, the NanoBit™ allows for versatile installation locations within limited spaces between metal seams and building features.
- Standing Seam Clamp: For simplified solar installation on standing seam metal roofs, the Standing Seam Clamp is a one-stop solution that reduces the amount of necessary rooftop hardware for both rail-based and rail-free PV systems.
Want to learn more about installing solar on metal roofs? Contact SunModo or use our free design tool to optimize your next PV system.