Can I install solar panels on a metal roof?

Metal roofs are light, durable, and often made of eco-friendly recycled materials. They're also a great fit for solar panels. 

While asphalt roofs often only last 12-30 years, metal roofs easily last 40, sometimes up to 70 years. Most solar panels come with 25 or 30-year warranties, so you can feel pretty confident that your metal roof will outlast them. In fact, metal is one of the best roof materials for solar panels. 

Here's what you need to know about installing solar panels on a metal roof.

Typically, your solar installer will drill holes in your roof so that they can attach the mounting for your solar panels. This is one of the main areas of concern for many homeowners considering solar, as an improperly mounted solar panel system can cause leaks or other roof issues. Most qualified solar installers offer workmanship warranties and roof warranties to reassure their customers that there will be no issues with the installation.

However, if you have a metal roof, your solar installer likely won't need to make any holes in your roof, which virtually eliminates the possibility of issues down the road. There are a few alternative mounting options that make installing solar on a metal roof easier:

• Standing seam metal roofs: Two solar panel mount manufacturers, Quick Mount PV and Ecofasten, have products designed specifically for metal roofs with standing seams. If you have a standing seam metal roof, your installer can attach panels using a mounting system that clamps onto the roof's seams without making any holes. As a bonus, this type of racking can speed up installation times (and lower your labor costs) because your installer won't have to drill holes into the roof.

• Metal tile roofs: Quick Mount PV also manufactures a Tile Replacement Mount to make installing solar on tile roofs easier, including metal tile roofs. Tile Replacement Mount products are shaped like roof tiles and can be swapped with existing tiles on your roof. In addition to making the installation process easier, they have the bonus of ensuring that your solar installation is completely watertight since your installer is simply replacing tiles on your roof to mount your panels.

• Corrugated metal roofs: Unlike the previous two types of metal roofing, corrugated metal roofs usually require drilled holes. Mounting company SnapNrack offers a unique solution for installing solar panels on a corrugated roof. Their solution involves installing Straddle Blocks that sit on top of ridges on the roof and allow for a screw to be driven into the roof itself center. Waterproofing becomes a critical issue with these mounting systems, as your roof will have holes to secure the racking system.

Most homeowners with solar in the United States install standard silicon 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 ideal surfaces for it.

While regular 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 its panels as an ideal option for properties with metal roofs.

Solar panels are highly durable. Most will last at least 25 years––some are even covered under warranty for 40 years. That's why they're such a great investment for your home. 

But, with asphalt roofs only lasting 12-30 years, solar panels can sometimes outlive them (though solar panels also help preserve asphalt roofs, so as long as yours is on the younger side, you should be OK). You definitely don't want to install solar panels on an aging asphalt roof, which could cost you down the line: If you need to replace your roof before your solar panels, you'll waste money removing and re-installing your panels.  

Metal roofs, on the other hand, are the most durable conventional roofing material available. If you have a metal roof on your home, it will likely last longer than your solar panels, reducing expenses and hassle in the long term. You likely won't need to replace a metal roof before going solar.

Homebuilders and contractors often tout the benefits of metal roofing's cooling effect. Metal roofs reflect more sunlight than traditional black asphalt shingles––some even have reflective paint to increase this effect. 

Metal roofs help keep your home cool in the summer, reducing your energy use. By installing solar panels on top of a metal roof, you can maximize this cooling effect because they shade the roof's surface.

If you want to make your home truly eco-friendly and lower your carbon footprint, getting metal roofing and solar panels are both great ideas. 

As we mentioned, metal roofs help keep your home cool and last a long time, making them much less wasteful than traditional roofing materials. They're also made with recyclable materials, and can even earn you points through green building certification programs like LEED and ENERGY STAR.

The environmental benefits of solar panels are pretty straightforward: They reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a cleaner electric grid. And by pairing them with a metal roof, you can make your home even more sustainable.

If homes with metal roofs are typical in your area, you may be able to easily find local companies that have experience installing solar on them. However, getting multiple quotes from installers is the best way to ensure you're working with a company with the right expertise and background.

We make that easy. On the EnergySage Marketplace, you'll get quotes from multiple installers. When you join, indicate the location of your property on Google Maps so installers will know that your property has a metal roof (they will see an overhead satellite image). You can also indicate that your home has a metal roof when you set up your preferences after joining.