Yes. You can put solar panels on a metal roof, and a standing seam metal roof is one of the easiest roofs to mount them on. The panels clamp to the raised seams without any holes, while a corrugated metal roof needs a few holes that have to be sealed well.
The short version
- Standing seam metal takes solar clamps that grip the seam, so the roof stays unpunctured.
- Corrugated or screw-down metal needs mounting feet fastened through the panel, so sealing matters.
- Check your roof warranty before you sign, because holes in the roof can change it.
- A metal roof can outlast the panels, which makes it a good match.
- Look at the roof’s age and condition first, since taking panels off later costs real money.
How do solar panels attach to a standing seam metal roof?
Solar panels attach to a standing seam roof with clamps that grip the raised seams, so nothing is drilled through the metal. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety says that on this roof type clamps can be installed directly to the ribs (opens in a new tab) of the metal panels, and that no penetrations are introduced (opens in a new tab) to the roof system.
A small clamp bites onto the seam, a rail bolts to the clamp, and the panels sit on the rail. The roof itself stays whole.
There is one trap. Standing seam panels are made to slide a little as they heat and cool. The same guide tells installers to use approved seam clamps (opens in a new tab) so they avoid pinning the panel to the structure. A clamp that fits one seam shape can be wrong for another, so ask which clamp your installer plans to use and whether it suits your panels.
Can you put solar panels on corrugated or screw-down metal?
Yes, but the mounting feet have to go through the metal, so the sealing details decide whether it leaks. A screw-down roof is held together with exposed screws. Our article on corrugated versus standing seam roofs explains the two styles.
IBHS notes that on screw-down metal, the fasteners must include EPDM washers (opens in a new tab), the rubber washers that seal each screw. Its guide also says roof penetrations may need to be annually inspected and resealed (opens in a new tab). Every solar foot adds more of them.
Rubber and sealant wear out long before metal does. If you already have a screw-down roof, our piece on why metal roof screws leak is worth a read before anyone adds more holes.
What is the difference between the two roof types for solar?
The difference is holes. This table puts the two side by side.
| Standing seam | Screw-down or corrugated | |
|---|---|---|
| How panels attach | Clamps grip the seams | Feet fastened through the metal |
| Holes in the roof | None | A few per mounting foot |
| Main thing to check | Clamp fits your seam shape | Washers and sealant at each foot |
| Warranty worry | Lower | Higher |
Standing seam also costs more up front. It typically runs 2 to 2.5 times what asphalt shingles cost, and our guide to what a metal roof costs covers the numbers.
Will solar panels void your metal roof warranty?
They can, so get it in writing before work starts. Consumer Reports warns that the original roofing warranty will probably be voided (opens in a new tab) by the holes a solar job needs, and tells homeowners to make sure the installer will warranty the roof afterward.
Clamp-on mounting on standing seam is the cleaner case, because no holes means less to argue about. Even so, read your roof maker’s warranty or ask the company that installed the roof. Some require approved mounting parts. The warranty is the document that decides, not what anyone says over the phone.
Should you check the roof before adding solar?
Yes. The Department of Energy tells homeowners to consider the age of the roof (opens in a new tab) and how long until it needs replacement. Metal helps here, since a metal roof can last a long time. Shingle roofs are the ones that usually need replacing before the panels wear out.
Take off the panels later and you pay for it. Consumer Reports says removing, storing and reinstalling them runs a couple thousand dollars (opens in a new tab). In our service notes, detaching and resetting solar panels for a roofing job typically runs $2,000 to $5,000 on a replacement and $1,500 to $3,000 on a repair, and a different company does that work.
The Department of Energy also says it can save you money to install solar (opens in a new tab) at the same time as a roof replacement. If your metal roof has leaks, loose flashing or worn screws, fix those first.
What about foot traffic on the roof?
Installers walk the roof a lot. Every trade that walks a roof, solar crews included, leaves scuffs behind, and metal can scratch too. Ask how the crew will move across the roof and what they do about scratches.
Common questions
Is metal the best roof for solar panels?
Standing seam is about as easy as it gets, because the clamps leave the roof untouched. Metal also tends to outlast the panels. Other roofs work fine too, as long as the roof is in good shape.
Do solar panels cause a metal roof to leak?
Not by themselves. Leaks come from holes that are poorly sealed, which is why screw-down roofs need more care. On standing seam, clamps grip the seam and make no holes.
Should I replace my roof before going solar?
If the roof is old or leaking, usually yes. Consumer Reports says that with only five or so years left (opens in a new tab), consider replacing it before the panels go on. A free inspection tells you where yours stands.
What if my metal roof is already old?
If the metal is sound, panels can go on. If it is rusted, leaking or loose, fix that first, because the panels will hide the problem and make it harder to reach.
What to do next
Find out what kind of metal you have, standing seam or screw-down, and read your roof warranty. If you are planning a new roof with solar in mind, our metal roofing installation page explains how we approach it, and a free roof inspection will tell you the shape your current roof is in.
