Metal Roofs: The Perfect Match for Solar Panels

By Marco Industries. 

Investing in rooftop solar panels for your home requires a roofing system that will last. 

There are many types of roofing materials out there: from tile to the ubiquitous composite roof. Not all of them are ideal as a base for installing solar panels. Metal, however, is. Make sure to ask your contractor about the benefits a metal roof has if you're considering roof-mounted solar panels. 

Since metal is considered the most environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing material available, the target market for metal roofs and solar panels overlap. If you appreciate that metal roofs are 100% recyclable and are made with a minimum of 25% recycled material, depending on the type of metal, you might be interested in the energy savings of solar panels. Because of that, it would be smart to look for a contractor who partners with local solar panel companies. 

Below are the main benefits of pairing solar panels with a metal roof. 

Installation 

Mounting solar panels on a metal roof is easy. While installers may have to drill holes in other types of roofs to attach the mounting hardware, they won’t have to on a standing-seam metal roof. That means quicker installation and no worries about causing leaks. 

Options 

Standing-seam metal roofs are an ideal surface for installing thin film solar. That means the homeowner will have an option versus the standard silicon photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that are installed on most homes. 

Durability 

Even though solar panels are extremely durable and can be expected to last 25 to 30 years, the metal roof below it should last longer. That means no hassles with a roof replacement that requires the extra cost of disassembling and the reinstalling the solar panels. 

Cooling 

Solar panels will shade any roof surface, helping to cool it and increase energy savings. A metal roof, however, already reflects more sunlight than traditional black asphalt shingles, so parts not covered by the panels will still help with providing a cooler roof and reduced energy usage. 

For anyone seeking a more eco-friendly home or building, metal roofs and solar panels are attractive options. Ask your metal roof installer if they partner with local solar panel companies. Your contractor and the solar companies will only want to work with reputable companies doing quality work, so you know you can trust them. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

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