How to install solar panels on metal roof: A quick peek

If you want a solar system and you have a metal roof, clap your hands! The installation is fast and simple and your PV modules will get some extra sunlight. In this article, we’ll take a quick look at how to install solar panels on a metal roof.

DIY installation: Disclaimer

Homeowners usually don't install solar panels by themselves. In the US, you often need permission from the government to put solar panels on your roof. Officials allow only certified professionals to perform the installation. This guide is purely informative to let you better understand the process of attaching solar panels to a metal roof. 

Installing solar panels by yourself can be fine with small projects: an RV, a boat system, or a DIY experiment in your garage. If you're confident in your skills — go for it. Remember though that you might not be eligible for programs from the government and utilities if it’s not the professionals who install panels. DIY installation may void the warranties for your solar panels.

Benefits & drawbacks of metal roofs

Contractors consider metal roofs among the best for solar panel installations. The benefits of this type include:

1. Durability. A metal roof is a stable and secure platform with a lifespan of over 50 years. This aligns well with the long lifespan of solar panels.
2. Reflectivity. Sunlight bounces off metal onto the solar panels from various angles which increases their efficiency. With a metal roof, you can even consider bifacial solar panels for a residential installation. The active rear side of a bifacial PV module provides up to a 25% production bonus to the front side.
3. Easy installation. With the right approach, mounting solar panels on metal roof. Some types of metal roofs don’t even require penetration.

Winston Watt

Solar installer, CEO of Soular Brothas

No matter the type, metal roofs are much easier to work with than, say, tile roofs. The installation of a solar system of up to 15 kilowatts can be done in a day.

What about the drawbacks? If you consider replacing your roof before installing solar, a metal roof is more expensive than alternatives. Depending on the type of metal used and its coating, there can be a risk of corrosion over time, especially in coastal environments.

Procedure varies: Metal roof types

The process of installing solar panels on a metal roof changes depending on what type you have. The most common types are standing seam roofs and corrugated ones.

Standing seam metal roofs need no drilling

Metal roofs with standing seams are the most convenient for installing solar panels. You can attach the modules directly to the seams. Not only is it super simple, but it also allows the air to circulate under the panels. It contributes to the cooling of the system, raising the efficiency of solar panels.

Winston Watt

Solar installer, CEO of Soular Brothas

Metal roof jobs are fast on standing seam roofs. You can use S5 clamps and there’ll be no penetrations. Versa brackets have better wind load ratings but penetrate your roof and may void the warranty.

Corrugated roofs require more care

The task of installing solar panels on a corrugated metal roof needs a different approach. The profile itself is not strong enough to support the mounting system so you’ll have to attach the brackets with the help of the screws. 

There is a variety of brackets for corrugated roofs on the market. Most are designed to fit on the ridges though some are to be fixed in the valleys. The mounting may vary depending on whether you have a trapezoid or a sinusoidal metal roof.

Safety concerns

Aside from special brackets, mounting solar panels on a metal roof largely follows the general PV system installation process. The system has to be grounded to prevent damage from lightning or power surges.

A pitched metal roof requires installers to have proper fall protection. When there are no standing seams, an anchor is attached to the roof directly. Installers should make sure that this anchor won’t create leaks once it is removed. 

Andrey Gorichenski

Senior Editor

Andrey had been a news editor and freelance writer for a number of medias before joining A1SolarStore team. Climate change and its impact on people's lives has always been among his interests and it partially explains his degree in Philosophy and Ethics.

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