Two roofing innovations are experiencing a surge in popularity across Florida right now: solar and metal roofing. This has led many homeowners to wonder if they can or should combine these two technologies. But should you put solar panels on a metal roof?
We’re PITCH Roofing, and today we’re going to answer all your questions about solar panels on metal roofs. But before we get too far into how these systems work together, let’s first talk about each individually so you can know the value of solar and metal roofing in Florida.
Why Floridians Love Solar and Metal Roofing
Before we discuss putting solar panels on metal roofs, it’s important to make sure you know everything you need to about solar roofing and metal roofing. Let’s take a brief look at each one of these roofing technologies to make sure you’re up to speed!
Solar Roofing
Solar roofing is more than just popular right now — it’s a $9.6 billion industry and growing. You probably know the gist of how it works; installers adhere solar panels to your roof where they can capture sunlight and convert it to electricity via photovoltaic cells.
Florida is the Sunshine State, so there’s no better place for investing in solar energy for your home. And when properly mounted by professional roofers, solar panels can safely adhere to your roof even through tropical storms and hurricanes.
Of course, cost is always a concern for solar panels. And we won’t lie — they’re not cheap, with the average solar panel installation costing $20,000 to $25,000 in Florida. There are some important things to know about the cost of solar panels, though:
- Thanks to the federal tax credit, you can cut 30% off the total cost of your solar panel installation
- Solar panels pay for themselves in 6-12 years on average
- Having solar panels on your home greatly increases its resale value and makes your property much more attractive to buyers
For all of these reasons, solar roofing panels are only getting more popular in Florida. But should you put solar panels on a metal roof? To answer that, we first have to look at the state of metal roofing in Florida.
Metal Roofing
Florida has seen more and more major hurricanes in recent years. Homeowners, tired of waking up to shingles in their yard, have been making the upgrade to metal roofing. And in general, it’s been working out extremely well for them.
While asphalt shingles can only rarely handle winds exceeding 110 mph, metal roofs have been known to withstand winds above 140 mph. That’s a big difference in your protection during a hurricane! When you add on the much longer lifespan of 40-70 years, compared to the 20 years of shingles, it’s not surprising that Floridians love metal roofing.
Like with solar roofing, though, cost is a big concern for homeowners thinking of getting a metal roof. And it’s true: Metal roofs are more expensive than shingle roofs. But there are plenty of affordable metal roof options on the market, and when you consider the long-term value of reliable protection and added resale value, many homeowners find that metal roofs are worth the investment.
Now that we’ve covered both solar and metal roofing, it’s time to answer the big question. Is it a good idea to put solar panels on a metal roof?
Should You Put Solar Panels on a Metal Roof in Florida?
Good news: Experienced contractors should have no problem adhering solar panels to your metal roof. This applies to standing seam metal roofs as well as corrugated metal roofs, and across all metal roofing materials as well. Thanks to modern solar panel mounts, you can apply solar panels to virtually any kind of roof!
That answers the question of if you can apply solar panels to a metal roof. But should you?
In a word, yes. There are no major downsides to installing solar panels on your metal roof. Thanks to the mounting system used for solar panels on standing seam metal roofs, no new holes or perforations are added to your roof during solar panel installation. This means that your roof isn’t any more likely to be damaged by weather in the future. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about losing your sleek, smooth aesthetic!
The mounting process is slightly different for corrugated metal roofs but still viable. With solar panels on corrugated roofs, the mounting system does drill down into the metal sheet. However, corrugated roofs are already drilled into place. So while this creates new holes in your roofing system, they are no more dangerous or unreliable than the ones that are already there.
In addition to there not being downsides, installing solar panels on a metal roof comes with many benefits that are unique to metal roofing. Some of these include:
- Because metal roofs last longer than solar panels (which last about 20-25 years), you don’t have to worry about needing a roof replacement and having to pay for your solar panels to be uninstalled and reinstalled
- Metal roofs reflect heat away from your home, which helps solar panels function since they work best in cooler weather
- A metal roof with solar panels is a chance to double-down on being eco-friendly since metal roofs can be almost 100% recycled at the end of their lives
Clearly, there are a lot of great reasons to put solar panels on a metal roof. So where do you get started?
Get a Free Estimate for Solar Panels on a Metal Roof
Whether you already have a metal roof and want to add solar panels or you’re looking to upgrade to a metal roof and add solar panels, the professionals at PITCH can help. As experienced Florida roofers, we’ve done plenty of metal roof replacements and solar panel installations. Nothing beats our local know-how and expertise, and that shows in our estimates!
When you get an estimate from PITCH, you can count on it being thorough, detailed, and accurate. We don’t skip over parts of the job, we don’t hide fees in the contract, and we don’t give unreliable information. For your free, no-obligation estimate, call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online!
Adding solar panels to a metal roof is a big decision. To make sure the job is done right, you need experienced contractors in your corner. Give PITCH Roofing a chance to earn your business and we’ll show you how headache-free upgrading your roof can be!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
