Solar panels and metal roofs are both energy efficient investments for a home. Individually, they can help cut down the costs of utility bills, and help keep your home’s eco footprint light. But what if you want both solar panels and a metal roof installed onto your home?
Can solar panels be installed onto metal roofs?
Standing seam metal roofs specifically make a great place to install solar panels! Standing seam panels tend to make the best metal roofs for solar panel installation due to the lack of holes that would be drilled into the panels. Since the standing seam panels have vertical ribs on their edges, solar panel mounting systems can be installed without the need to penetrate the metal!
Other types of metal roofs, such as corrugated metal roofs, can also have solar panels installed onto them, but will require puncturing the metal panels. By penetrating the panels with screws and then sealing them with sealant, solar panels can be installed. However, if the proper sealant isn’t used, you can expect leaks to come through the screw holes in the panels. This can cause damage to your metal roof, and must be fixed immediately or else you risk needing to replace large sections of your roof.
How long will a metal roof last with solar panels installed?
Thankfully, your metal roof’s lifespan should not be affected if solar panels are installed correctly! If you have solar panels installed onto a standing seam metal roof, when it comes time to replace your solar panels, it will be a breeze due to the lack of screws through the roofing panels.
However, if you have had solar panels installed onto a corrugated metal roof, every time you remove and install solar panels, you run the risk of leaks if the holes aren’t sealed correctly. Leaks can affect your metal roof’s lifespan, so keep that in mind if you have a corrugated metal roof and are thinking about installing solar panels.
Ultimately, investing in both solar panels and a metal roof can bring money back into your pocket! Your utility bills will be lower, your roof will last fifty years or more with the Permasteel fifty year warranty, and your solar panels will bring energy efficiency to your home for years to come.
To get a quote or to ask questions about metal roofing systems and the installation process, visit our contact page! A member of the Permasteel team will be happy to help you get started on the switch to a metal roofing system today.
