Solar Installation on Metal Roof

When we first began installing solar PV systems on metal roofs, we used conventional stand off mounts that required lag screws into the rafters.   We quickly realized that solar systems can be installed on metal roofs without a single roof penetration using a special attachment method called S-5! clamps. S-5! clamps were originally used in cold climates for snow guards (a metal barrier that prevents snow from sliding off the roof and injuring people below). As standing seam metal roofs increased in popularity for energy efficient homes, the S-5! clamps emerged as the dominant attachment method for installing solar systems. Check out stand offs compared with S-5! clamps.

Roof without stand off mounts:

 

Installation with S-5! clamps:

 

Did this save you money or was the switch made entirely because the clamps are more sustainable?

The cost of S-5! compared with stand off mounts is virtually identical.  This was not a construction savings innovation from an installation standpoint, but rather a long term durability innovation considering the avoidance of holes in the roof.  The more you can reduce the opportunity for leaks down the road, the better.