Methods Of Installing Solar Panels To A Tiled Roof

Installing solar panels over your tile roof is a challenging job.

Methods of installing solar panels to a tiled roof.

As such to properly anchor your solar panel racking solar installers will typically remove clay tiles at the areas where they need to attach racking feet to your roof. Too much pressure from walking on your roof can cause your tiles to crack. In 1986 the building code was updated to require underlayment on tile roofs. It s common to find hairline cracks on tile roofs the product of a dropped tool or a heavy foot long ago.

This technique involves removing all the clay tiles under the area where your solar panels will go installing composite shingle in this area then plopping in traditional solar roof mounts rails and panels in that location. Instead it s best to let your installer remove tiles by drilling into your roof to attach mounting brackets to the studs and seal the area just like they would do for any other style of roof. If you should use the wrong drill bit you will cause too much vibration as you are drilling through the tile which will also result in breakage. The railing systems are mounted on the steel brackets leaving a clear space between the roof and the panel.

Drilling risks cracking the tile which will only increase the overall installation costs of your solar panels. The second option is called a comp out where your installer will remove the tiles where you intend to put solar then lay down composite shingle to install the array. Metal hooks and flashing are drilled into the roof and your tiles can be slid back into place above the mounting feet. Your installer would temporarily remove the tiles install the hooks underneath into the roof then put the tile back over the mount and rack the system from there.

Eight tips for mounting solar on tile roofs. Some solar installers like to use a technique called a comp out to more easily install solar on clay tile roofs.