Zinc rooves and solar panels
Discussion
Zinc roof almost certainly going on our extension next year. We also want to fit solar panels. There are two definite options: mount brackets on the seams and fit traditional panels or use panels designed to sit between the seams. There may be a third option but I can’t find any zinc company that can be bothered to reply to my enquiries. Maybe someone here knows the answer?
Tiled rooves can be built with a plastic tray that allows solar panels to sit flush with the tiles. Can these trays be used with a zinc roof? I appreciate it might be tricky as it may cause problems with the seams but can it be done? Thanks.
Tiled rooves can be built with a plastic tray that allows solar panels to sit flush with the tiles. Can these trays be used with a zinc roof? I appreciate it might be tricky as it may cause problems with the seams but can it be done? Thanks.
SonicHedgeHog said:
Tiled rooves can be built with a plastic tray that allows solar panels to sit flush with the tiles. Can these trays be used with a zinc roof? I appreciate it might be tricky as it may cause problems with the seams but can it be done? Thanks.
I guess anythings possible, but a key difference is that a tiled roof can come apart again if you need to repair or replace something integrated and a zinc one usually won't. I think that depends on how the zinc is fitted round the tray which is kind of my point. I’m inclined to think that keeping the zinc locked together along the full length of the seam is essential to it’s structural integrity. However, is there a way around this? If there isn’t I’m going to have to go for the panels that sit inside the seams.
Do you really want some solar installation monkey messing around with your lovely (and no doubt very expensive) new roof?
I was contemplating roof mounted solar until a friend with a roofing company suggested I was nuts for letting anyone mess around with my 100+ year old slate roof. Sorting leaks and maintenance becomes a nightmare as everyone will blame the other guy and you'll end up coordinating trades.
He was probably being a bit over dramatic but I suspect he does have a point. I'm still planning solar but either on a ground mounted timber frame or outbuilding.
I was contemplating roof mounted solar until a friend with a roofing company suggested I was nuts for letting anyone mess around with my 100+ year old slate roof. Sorting leaks and maintenance becomes a nightmare as everyone will blame the other guy and you'll end up coordinating trades.
He was probably being a bit over dramatic but I suspect he does have a point. I'm still planning solar but either on a ground mounted timber frame or outbuilding.
SonicHedgeHog said:
Tiled rooves can be built with a plastic tray that allows solar panels to sit flush with the tiles. Can these trays be used with a zinc roof? I appreciate it might be tricky as it may cause problems with the seams but can it be done? Thanks.
Velux windows can go into into a zinc roof and the solar trays seem pretty similar so I would imagine they could work, but might need appropriate flashing kits - I have no idea if they're available.Why?
A zinc roof with raised seams sounds like entirely the wrong thing to mix with solar panels.
I've seen a couple of nice jobs where the roof is mostly panels with neat flashing, slates, GRP fake slates or whatever around the edges.
I would also have concerns about mixed-metal electrolytic corrosion with any fasteners.
The trouble with these things is that they have to be designed by pro, whereas banging tiles on a roof then banging panels on is just trades on autopilot.
A zinc roof with raised seams sounds like entirely the wrong thing to mix with solar panels.
I've seen a couple of nice jobs where the roof is mostly panels with neat flashing, slates, GRP fake slates or whatever around the edges.
I would also have concerns about mixed-metal electrolytic corrosion with any fasteners.
The trouble with these things is that they have to be designed by pro, whereas banging tiles on a roof then banging panels on is just trades on autopilot.
Ok, this isn’t a DIY or bodge job. The builder has an excellent portfolio of quality work, comes highly recommended and is going to use a zinc specialist to do all the zinc work. He’s currently putting together a quote, but I’m trying to get ahead of the game by looking deeply into a number of features where I have options. When I have the quote I can start asking a few detailed questions which will include the panels, but until then I’m doing my own research. The best way to build a quality building is to know how to build it yourself.
Zinc is actually an excellent material to attach solar panels. They either sit between the seams looking very tidy or are attached to the seems with specially designed brackets made of complimentary materials. At the moment, in-seam panels are looking like the best option but the tray option may be better still.
I suspect it isn’t possible because it’ll undermine the rigidity of the rest of the roof. The comment about Velux windows is however a good one which makes me wonder. Anyway, thank you for your comments. I think I’m going to have to wait for the quote on this one.
Zinc is actually an excellent material to attach solar panels. They either sit between the seams looking very tidy or are attached to the seems with specially designed brackets made of complimentary materials. At the moment, in-seam panels are looking like the best option but the tray option may be better still.
I suspect it isn’t possible because it’ll undermine the rigidity of the rest of the roof. The comment about Velux windows is however a good one which makes me wonder. Anyway, thank you for your comments. I think I’m going to have to wait for the quote on this one.
Those look perfect. I’ve been following your build thread and your whole house looks great. We’re going for red zinc but I still think these panels will be worth the extra investment because I’ll see them every time I approach the house. Do you remember which brand yours are? There are a few companies making them.
SonicHedgeHog said:
Those look perfect. I ve been following your build thread and your whole house looks great. We re going for red zinc but I still think these panels will be worth the extra investment because I ll see them every time I approach the house. Do you remember which brand yours are? There are a few companies making them.
Red PV panels then?jules_s said:
Red PV panels then?
It’s a consideration. Red panels are less efficient at generating electricity than black ones. Also, I’m not sure if I can get in-seam red panels. If I can I would be interested and would probably fit a few more to lift the overall performance of the roof. This is why I need to narrow down my options. When I know what is and isn’t possible I can look into this kind of detail more closely. SonicHedgeHog said:
Zinc roof almost certainly going on our extension next year.
Have you spoken to your insurer?We did a self-build about a decade ago and our insurers at the time (Hiscox) got rather bent out of shape by the standing seam zinc roof.
Proper standing seam zinc, installed by a firm that does major commercial and heritage jobs, but Hiscox wouldn’t insure without us getting someone to inspect and confirm the integrity of the zinc every 5 (I think) years because they deemed it non-standard construction. Given the lifespan of zinc roofing, there just aren’t (or at that time weren’t) people who would do that.
It might be more accepted for residential these days, but worth checking.
It had velux windows, log burner flue, and extract ducts and have had zero issues whatsoever with it.
I have a commercial build that will be getting a lot of PV onto Cladco standing seam panels (which look good installed and don’t need a specialist) so would be interested to hear what you end up doing. In our case, as it’ll be full PV coverage of the roof, we’re probably going to rail mount them over the top of the standing seam and treat the roofing panels as a drainage deck. Obviously not as integrated as it could be, but should look acceptable.
LooneyTunes said:
SonicHedgeHog said:
Zinc roof almost certainly going on our extension next year.
Have you spoken to your insurer?We did a self-build about a decade ago and our insurers at the time (Hiscox) got rather bent out of shape by the standing seam zinc roof.
Proper standing seam zinc, installed by a firm that does major commercial and heritage jobs, but Hiscox wouldn t insure without us getting someone to inspect and confirm the integrity of the zinc every 5 (I think) years because they deemed it non-standard construction. Given the lifespan of zinc roofing, there just aren t (or at that time weren t) people who would do that.
It might be more accepted for residential these days, but worth checking.
It had velux windows, log burner flue, and extract ducts and have had zero issues whatsoever with it.
I have a commercial build that will be getting a lot of PV onto Cladco standing seam panels (which look good installed and don t need a specialist) so would be interested to hear what you end up doing. In our case, as it ll be full PV coverage of the roof, we re probably going to rail mount them over the top of the standing seam and treat the roofing panels as a drainage deck. Obviously not as integrated as it could be, but should look acceptable.
Yes, we will be adding a battery.
Zinc rooves have a life expectancy of 80-100 years. Long beyond my life expectancy.
I will check the insurance but don’t expect any issues. We’ve been looking at zinc rooves in our area and they’re used in all kind of different ways. If necessary I’d change insurer.
On a straightforward commercial roof I would have no problem with mounting panels on the seams. Our roof has some nice angles and shapes which make standard panels look a bit of an afterthought. We’re never moving so the extra cost will be worth it for better aesthetics.
Zinc rooves have a life expectancy of 80-100 years. Long beyond my life expectancy.
I will check the insurance but don’t expect any issues. We’ve been looking at zinc rooves in our area and they’re used in all kind of different ways. If necessary I’d change insurer.
On a straightforward commercial roof I would have no problem with mounting panels on the seams. Our roof has some nice angles and shapes which make standard panels look a bit of an afterthought. We’re never moving so the extra cost will be worth it for better aesthetics.
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