Can You Install Solar Panels on a Metal Roof?

Metal roofs and solar panels go together like peanut butter and jelly

A house with metal roof and solar panels
Photo: Bernhard Lang / Stone / Getty Images
A house with metal roof and solar panels
Photo: Bernhard Lang / Stone / Getty Images
Highlights
  • Metal and solar have long lifespans.

  • Both are recyclable.

  • Solar panels boost the cooling benefits of metal roofs.

  • LEED and ENERGY STAR® certifications can improve home value. 

  • Tax credits are available for solar panels.

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Homeowners are going solar for savings and sustainability. If you really want to go the extra mile to have an efficient home, nothing tops the combination of a metal roof with solar panels. Metal roofs are one of the best roof types for solar panels, so let’s take a look at how solar panels and metal roofs power up a home's value.

What Are the Benefits of Installing Solar Panels on Metal Roofs? 

The obvious benefit of pairing metal and solar is that you will keep your home running using less energy. The secondary benefit is that both metal roofing and solar panels are recyclable. Compare that to the 20 billion pounds of asphalt roofing being dumped into landfills every year!

3 benefits of solar panels on metal roofs, including easy mounting and enhanced cooling
Photo: moisseyev / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Shared Longevity

Both metal roofs and solar panels are in it for the long haul. While most shingle roofs last between 12 and 25 years, a metal roof will last between 40 and 70 years.

Next, solar panels installed properly by a local solar provider can easily last up to 30 years. The beauty of combining metal with solar panels is that you do not have to worry about your panels outliving your roof the way you do with shingle roofs.

Easy Mounting

It is easier to install solar panels on metal roofs than on shingle roofs. With the need for holes to be drilled when mounting panels, the situation can be precarious for some homes with shingle roofs.

A panel that is improperly mounted on a shingle roof can cause holes, leaks, mold, condensation, and other roof issues. The problem is eliminated with a metal roof because the mounting process is different with metal. There is usually no need to drill with standing-seam metal roofs and metal tile roofs; however, corrugated metal roofs do sometimes require drilling.

Enhanced Cooling

Did you know that solar panels can enhance the cooling benefits of your metal roof? If you are sold on metal roofing, you probably already know that metal offers cooling benefits that allow homeowners to reduce energy usage.

The reflective qualities of metal roofs bounce back more sunlight than an alternative option like an asphalt shingle roof. In fact, the reflectivity of solar panels can help homeowners to save up to 40% on energy bills. Solar panels amplify the cost savings because the panels provide additional shade over the roof.

Types of Metal Roofs for Installing Solar Panels

A man installing new solar panels on a roof
Photo: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images

There are four main types of solar metal roofs to choose from: Standing seam, corrugated, exposed fastener, and metal shingles. Depending on where you live and the aesthetic you want, some metal roofs are a better choice for installing solar panels than others. 

Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Standing seam metal roofs have hidden fasteners, and the seams interlock, creating a durable and aesthetically pleasing roof. This weather-resistant roofing material makes an excellent base on which to install solar panels. The vertical ribs offer a place for solar mounting systems to attach and do not require any penetrations to secure them. This means that there are fewer areas that could admit water and create leaks and water damage down the road.

Exposed Fastener

Exposed fastener metal roofs are installed as overlapping panels with exposed screws that attach to the roof deck. This metal roofing system is less expensive than a standing seam roof and is a popular choice for homeowners who want an economical roof with the benefits of metal. Installing solar panels on an exposed fastener metal roof requires screws to penetrate the roofing in order to attach the solar mounting hardware to the roof.  

Corrugated Metal Roofs

Corrugated metal roofs have a simple, industrial look and are more popular on sheds and barns than on homes. But if you do have a corrugated metal roof on your home or on an outbuilding, it can work well for installing solar panels. Solar panel mounts can be installed on the corrugated roof, but this requires penetrating the roof with screws, so ensuring correct waterproofing is essential for protecting the roof and the interior of the building.

Metal Shingles

Metal shingles can mimic the look of other materials like clay tiles, cedar shakes, and slate tiles. Solar panels can be installed on this type of roofing, but like exposed fasteners and corrugated metal roofs, the solar mounting hardware must be fixed to the metal with screws that penetrate the material and fasten to the underlying sheathing and rafter. It can be challenging to find the right mounting solution, as metal shingles often have patterns stamped onto them and solar panels may require smooth, flat surfaces.

Types of Solar Panels Best Suited for Metal Roofs 

The three main types of solar panels are all well suited to use on metal roofs. The one you ultimately choose will depend on your budget and the space you have available for solar panel installation. 

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline solar panels are a newer iteration of solar panel technology and are, therefore, more expensive than polycrystalline or thin-film. They offer efficiency rates between 15% and 20%, the highest among the three types of solar panels. Mono panels are black and are well-suited to high temperatures, so if you are in a hot climate, these panels may be the best choice. They last between 25 and 40 years, and while they have a longer lifespan than polycrystalline and thin-film panels, they are also the most expensive option.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient than mono panels due to their older technology, but this also makes them more affordable in the short term. They last between 25 and 30 years and have efficiency ratings between 13% and 16%. They are not as well suited to hot temperatures as mono panels, so they should be considered in more moderate climates. Because they are blue rather than black, they may stand out more on the roof than mono or thin-film panels.

Thin-Film 

Thin-film solar panels have the lowest efficiency rating of the three—7% to 18%—and are better suited to smaller projects. Because they are made of thin layers of photovoltaic material, a conductive sheet, and a protective layer, they are easy and fast to manufacture and install. This makes them the most affordable solar panel, and they will last between 10 and 20 years.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar Panels on a Metal Roof? 

The answer to the question, “Can you put solar panels on a metal roof?”, is yes. Which means, the next question is, “How much does it cost to install them?” Solar panel costs can range between $10,000 and $15,000 for a five-kilowatt (kW) system, which should be enough to provide solar power to the average home. 

Cost to Install a Metal Roof 

If you do not already have a metal roof and are considering installing one, it is important to understand that metal roofing is a broad category and costs can vary greatly depending on which material you choose. According to HomeAdvisor, the average installation cost for metal roofs ranges between $5,500 and $15,000. For a more accurate estimate, you should contact a metal roof installer near you. 

A widespread metal roof myth is that they leak more than shingles, but in reality, when properly sealed, they should not leak at all. They will actually outlast many other roofing materials, making the larger upfront cost well worth it.

Can You Receive a Tax Credit if You Have Solar Panels?

One of the benefits of energy efficient roofing is the tax credits that are available as incentives for installing it. Tax credits are often available for homeowners who install solar panels on their homes. Under the terms of the federal residential solar energy credit, eligible homeowners can receive a credit for 26% of the cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

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