Commercial Solar
Solar on Metal, Membrane and Concrete Roofs
Your roof type decides how solar gets mounted, how it's waterproofed and how well it performs over the long haul. Here's what business owners and facility managers need to know about installing on metal, membrane and concrete roofs.
Why Roof Type Drives the Whole Install
Before anyone talks panels, the roof itself sets the rules. Metal, membrane and concrete each need different mounting hardware, different penetration strategies and different structural checks.
Get this wrong and you risk leaks, voided roof warranties or arrays that can't handle wind loads. Get it right and the system sits quietly on your roof for its full working life. That's why a site review always starts with a close look at your roof structure and condition.
- Roof material and profile determine the mounting system
- Roof age and condition affect how and where we fix
- Structural capacity must suit the array weight and wind loads
- Existing roof warranties need to be respected and documented
Metal Roofs: The Installer's Friend
Metal roofs, like the standing-seam and trapezoidal profiles common on warehouses and factories, are often the most straightforward to work with. Our 415kW rooftop at DB Santasalo in Bulli is a good example of what a well-suited metal roof can carry.
Depending on the profile, panels can be clamped directly to standing seams with no penetrations at all, or fixed with proven, sealed brackets on trapezoidal sheeting. Either way, the aim is a secure fix that doesn't compromise the roof's weatherproofing. Condition matters too; an older metal roof may need attention before an array goes on top of it.
- Clamp-on mounting for standing-seam profiles, often penetration-free
- Sealed bracket fixings for trapezoidal and corrugated sheeting
- Lightweight relative to many roofs, easing structural load
- Check sheet condition and fixings before installing
Membrane Roofs: Protect the Waterproofing
Membrane roofs, such as single-ply and modified bitumen systems, call for extra care because the membrane is the waterproofing. Any mounting approach has to keep that barrier intact.
This often means ballasted or non-penetrating systems that hold the array with weight rather than fasteners, or fully flashed penetrations where the membrane manufacturer's details are followed exactly. Coordinating with the membrane warranty is essential, and the roof's load capacity needs checking if a ballasted system is used.
- Ballasted, non-penetrating mounts where the structure allows
- Properly flashed penetrations that follow membrane details
- Membrane warranty requirements factored in from the start
- Structural check for any added ballast weight
Concrete Roofs and Flat Decks
Concrete roofs and flat decks give you flexibility on panel orientation and tilt, which can help optimise yield. They're common on larger commercial and industrial buildings.
Mounting can use tilt frames to set the ideal angle and ballasted or anchored footings depending on the deck and exposure. Waterproofing membranes over the concrete still need protecting, and drainage must stay clear so water doesn't pool around footings. As always, a structural review confirms the deck can carry the system.
- Tilt frames to improve panel orientation and output
- Ballasted or anchored footings suited to the deck
- Protect any waterproofing layer over the concrete
- Keep roof drainage paths clear of mounting points
Getting It Right: In-House and Accredited
Whatever your roof, the install should be done by people who understand both solar and roofing. We use an in-house team rather than subcontractors, so the crew on your roof is accountable for the finished job.
We're CEC and SAA accredited, and we scale from 6.6kW through to multi-megawatt systems across commercial and residential sites Australia-wide. From warehouses and vineyards to distribution centres, the process is the same: assess the roof, match the mounting, protect the waterproofing, and build it to last.
If you're weighing up solar on a metal, membrane or concrete roof, the next step is a site review. We'll look at your roof type, condition and structure, and talk through what's realistic for your building and tariff.
The right mounting method for your roof type protects your waterproofing, your warranty and your energy yield for decades.
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