Commercial Solar Roofing Solutions

What Is Commercial Solar Roofing?

Commercial solar roofing refers to the integration of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems with commercial roofing structures. Rather than treating the roof and solar system as separate projects, solar roofing takes a unified approach that ensures the roofing membrane, insulation, structural support, and panel mounting systems all work together as a cohesive, high-performance assembly. This coordination is critical for maximizing energy production, maintaining waterproofing integrity, and preserving manufacturer warranties on the roofing system.

As energy costs continue to rise and sustainability requirements become standard in commercial construction, more building owners are turning to roof-mounted solar as a practical way to reduce operating expenses and meet environmental goals. Windward Roofing and Construction brings over 40 years of commercial roofing experience to every solar roofing project, ensuring that your roof is properly prepared, protected, and optimized for long-term solar performance.

Solar-Ready Roof Systems

A solar-ready roof is one that has been evaluated, reinforced if necessary, and constructed or modified to safely and effectively support a solar panel array. Before any solar equipment is installed, the roofing system must be assessed for structural capacity, remaining service life, membrane condition, and drainage adequacy. Installing solar panels on a roof that is nearing the end of its lifespan or has underlying issues creates costly problems down the road.

Windward Roofing works with building owners and solar installers to ensure the roof is fully prepared before panel installation begins. This includes verifying that the roof deck can handle the additional dead load of panels, racking, and ballast; confirming that the membrane is in sound condition with adequate remaining life; and ensuring that drainage patterns will not be disrupted by the solar array layout. When a roof requires upgrades or repairs to become solar-ready, our team handles those improvements as part of a coordinated project plan.

Roof Types Compatible with Solar Installation

Most commercial roofing systems can accommodate solar panels when properly configured. Each roof type has specific considerations for solar integration, and selecting the right mounting approach is essential for maintaining roof performance and warranty coverage.

TPO Roofing and Solar

TPO single-ply membranes are among the most common commercial roofing systems paired with solar installations. Solar panels can be mounted on TPO roofs using ballasted racking systems that require no roof penetrations, or through mechanically attached systems with properly flashed penetrations. TPO's reflective white surface also complements solar efficiency by reducing ambient rooftop temperatures around the panels.

EPDM Roofing and Solar

EPDM rubber roofing is fully compatible with solar panel installations. Ballasted mounting systems are commonly used on EPDM roofs to avoid penetrating the membrane. When penetrations are required, specialized EPDM flashing boots and adhesives are used to maintain the waterproof seal. The durability and long service life of EPDM make it a solid foundation for solar arrays.

Metal Standing Seam Roofing and Solar

Metal standing seam roofs are considered one of the best commercial roofing systems for solar integration. Non-penetrating clamp systems attach directly to the raised seams of the metal panels, eliminating the need for any roof penetrations. This preserves the waterproofing integrity of the metal roof and simplifies installation. The long lifespan of metal roofing also aligns well with the 25-to-30-year production life of most solar panel systems.

Built-Up Roofing (BUR) and Solar

Built-up roofing systems can support solar installations using ballasted or mechanically attached racking. The multiple layers of asphalt and reinforcing fabric in a BUR system provide a robust substrate for supporting panel weight. Proper flashing and sealing around any penetrations is essential to maintain the integrity of the built-up membrane layers.

Benefits of Solar Roofing for Commercial Buildings

Investing in a solar roofing system delivers substantial returns for commercial property owners across multiple dimensions. The advantages extend well beyond simple energy production.

Energy Cost Reduction

Commercial solar installations can significantly reduce monthly electricity expenses, with many building owners seeing reductions of 30 to 70 percent on their energy bills depending on system size, local utility rates, and energy consumption patterns. Over the 25-to-30-year lifespan of a solar array, these savings typically far exceed the initial investment cost, delivering a strong return on investment.

Tax Incentives and Credits

Commercial solar installations may qualify for the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a meaningful tax credit on the total installed cost of the solar system. Additionally, the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) allows building owners to depreciate the solar equipment on an accelerated schedule, further improving the financial return. State and local incentive programs, utility rebates, and renewable energy credits can provide additional financial benefits. A qualified tax professional can help maximize the available incentives for your specific project.

Sustainability and LEED Certification

On-site solar energy generation is one of the most impactful strategies for earning LEED credits and meeting corporate sustainability targets. Solar roofing demonstrates a visible commitment to environmental responsibility, which is increasingly valued by tenants, customers, investors, and regulatory bodies. Many municipalities and states are implementing renewable energy requirements for commercial buildings, making solar adoption not just advantageous but increasingly necessary.

Increased Property Value

Commercial properties with solar installations consistently command higher valuations and attract quality tenants willing to pay premium lease rates for energy-efficient buildings. The combination of reduced operating costs and demonstrated environmental commitment makes solar-equipped buildings more competitive in the commercial real estate market.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Every kilowatt-hour of solar energy produced displaces electricity generated from fossil fuel sources. A typical commercial solar installation can offset tens of thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually, contributing directly to cleaner air and a healthier environment. For organizations with emissions reduction goals or ESG reporting requirements, rooftop solar provides measurable, verifiable results.

Windward's Approach to Solar Roofing

Windward Roofing and Construction approaches every solar roofing project from the perspective of protecting the building owner's roofing investment first. Solar panels are only as reliable as the roof beneath them, and our experience has shown that many solar installations fail to adequately account for the roofing system's needs. Our process is designed to ensure that both the roof and solar system perform optimally for decades.

Roof Assessment for Solar Readiness

Our team conducts a detailed evaluation of the existing roof, including core samples to assess insulation condition, infrared moisture scans to identify wet areas, structural load analysis, and a thorough review of the membrane's remaining service life. This assessment determines whether the roof can support solar in its current state or if repairs, reinforcement, or replacement are needed first.

Coordination with Solar Installers

Windward works directly with solar installation companies to coordinate project sequencing, mounting system specifications, and construction scheduling. This collaboration ensures that the roofing and solar teams are aligned on penetration locations, flashing details, equipment staging, and access requirements. By having the roofing contractor involved from the planning stage, potential conflicts and costly change orders are avoided.

Waterproofing Around Panel Mounts

Every penetration through a roofing membrane for solar panel mounting is a potential leak point if not properly sealed. Windward's crews install manufacturer-approved flashing systems around all roof penetrations, using materials and techniques that meet or exceed the roofing manufacturer's specifications. For ballasted systems that avoid penetrations entirely, we verify that the added weight is within the roof's structural capacity and that drainage is not impeded by the panel layout.

Warranty Preservation

One of the most critical aspects of solar roofing is ensuring that the solar installation does not void the existing roof warranty. Windward coordinates with roofing manufacturers to obtain approval for solar-related modifications before work begins. We document all flashing details, penetration locations, and material specifications to maintain full warranty coverage on the roofing system throughout the life of the solar installation.

Roof Replacement and Solar Coordination

For buildings that need a new roof and are also considering solar, coordinating both projects simultaneously offers significant advantages. Performing a roof replacement and solar installation together eliminates the need to remove and reinstall panels later when the roof reaches the end of its life. This approach can save building owners tens of thousands of dollars in avoided panel removal and reinstallation costs.

When both projects are planned together, the new roofing system can be specifically engineered for solar compatibility. Structural reinforcement can be incorporated during roof replacement, insulation can be optimized for both energy efficiency and panel support, and the membrane system can be selected based on the planned mounting method. Windward Roofing manages the complete scope of roof replacement with solar coordination, providing a single point of contact and ensuring seamless integration between the roofing and solar systems.

We recommend that any building owner with a roof older than 15 years strongly consider combining roof replacement with solar installation. The cost savings from performing both projects together, combined with available tax incentives and long-term energy savings, make this one of the most financially sound capital improvement investments a commercial property owner can make.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Roofing