Solar installation on tiles

To install solar panels on a tile roof, first bolt aluminium-alloy brackets to the roof, then attach rails to the brackets. Next, use specially designed clips to attach the solar panels to the rails, bolting them onto the edges of the panels.

Until recently, installing solar on clay-tiled roofs has been a more expensive and risky endeavor than other roof types, like composite shingle or metal. This is because tiles are relatively expensive, fragile, and removing them to install roof mounts for solar panels can open up the seal of your roof to water damage.

For concrete tile roofs, a solar installer can install solar panels. They will temporarily remove just a few tiles, install base plates onto the roof membrane, and attach special hooks to them.

If installers attempt to mount solar panels directly onto lightweight tiles, several issues can arise: Tile breakage: Walking on or drilling through these tiles can cause cracks or breaks, which may lead to roof leaks and structural damage.

Mounting the solar panels – Once the new roof section is complete, a solar expert installs the racking system and solar panels securely onto the composite shingles. Unlike tile, these shingles can handle the weight and pressure of solar mounting without breaking.

The new, better way: Double-flashed tile replacements that perfectly fit in place of a single tile. Replacing small sections of tile with composite shingles, installing mounts meant for composite shingle roofs, and placing dummy tiles over the holes. Cutting or drilling into tiles to attach hooks under them that support solar racks.