Solar Panels On Exposed Fastener Metal Roof

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

velvetfoot

Minister of Fire
Dec 5, 2005
10,202
Sand Lake, NY
Does anyone out there have experience with installing solar panels on an exposed fastener metal roof? I just spoke to the crew that was installing my neighbor's system (on asphalt roof) and they said there's butyl-coated brackets that keep out the moisture.
 
S-5 "Versa Brackets" in either the 47mm or 67mm height are one commonly available approach. They include engineering load testing data on their website, in the event you live in an area with structural engineering concerns.
 
Are the S-5 brackets for standing seam roofs? Not sure what style velvetfoot's roof is but normally standing seam doesn't have exposed fasteners, does it?
 
Don't appear to be for standing seam; they have screw mounting to roof. There are clamps for standing seam. My style of roof is exposed fasteners.
 
Right. I see now they make both clamps and brackets.
 
100_1422.JPG
Something like that?

I don't remember offhand what manufacturer they are from.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Something like that?

I don't remember offhand what manufacturer they are from.

Cool! Is that yours?

I saw those on-line and it seems to want to be screwed into something substantial.
My metal roof is screwed into plywood decking, so I don't think it'd work.
What are those screwed into?
 
Yes, that is a picture from my array.

100_1419.JPG

They are screwed (lagged) into 2x4's standing on edge under the metal roofing. The 2x4's are fastened to the roof trusses using hurricane brackets to make sure that the array cannot lift off of the roof.

Could you double up the plywood from underneath to be able to attach through?
 
Nice looking installation.

Could you double up the plywood from underneath to be able to attach through?
There's a lot of loose blown fiberglass up there, so I'd like to avoid attic work if possible.
I like the idea, anyway, of taking out an existing screw and putting in the mounting bolt.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.