According to a recent article featured in Metal Construction News, there appears to be a direct correlation between the growth of metal roofing alongside the increased use of solar. The article states, “As homeowners become more educated about the benefits of solar, the use of a metal roof makes economical sense. And, a metal roof is the perfect platform for installing solar, due to interest in a longer lasting, better performing, more sustainable roof option.” Even through the slowdown due to COVID-19, homeowners are continuing to install solar on their homes with solar companies seeing a need to hire versus layoff as so many other companies and businesses have had to do.

Rob Haddock, CEO and founder of S-5!, Colorado Springs, Colo., was quoted in the article saying, “It’s natural to choose metal roofs for installing solar PV because metal roofs provide an ideal platform as metal roofing is the only roof type with a service life that actually exceeds the service life of a solar PV system. It is also the most sustainable roofing type and is conducive to lower solar installation costs.” He adds, “Metal roofs are a cost-effective solution for mounting solar photovoltaic panels with mechanical solar attachments since they provide fewer components, materials which are lightweight and provide a zero-penetration system with no holes or leaks, so it does not violate roof warranties.”

Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance, concurs, saying, “The reason why solar and metal roofs are so well matched is because of the return on a residential roof-mounted solar investment is only as good as the quality and longevity of the roof where it’s installed. Metal roofs are the best option for photovoltaic systems, greatly reducing the risk of a roof failing before a solar panel system does. She goes on to explain, “The estimated life span of solar panels is typically about 20 to 25 years, while metal roofs can last for 50-plus years, two or three times the average life span of other types of roofing materials. That means a metal roof should easily outlast the solar panels. Metal also is exceptionally strong and durable, able to support the weight of potentially heavy solar systems by using a simple attachment and clip solution that does not require drilling holes into the roof or the need for self-ballasted systems, reducing the possibility of roofing failures and potential leaks.”

According to research from the MRA, metal roofing is now the second most preferred roofing material in the U.S. As Ramey explains, some of the reasons for that include climate threats, long-term ROI, improved performance, better sustainability, and curb appeal and style options. 

The list of reasons are mounting making metal roofing and solar panels a perfect pair given the financial benefits, the benefits and longevity of metal roofing, energy codes, and net-zero goals.

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