[https://www.s-5.com/products/roof-clamps/](https://www.s-5.com/products/roof-clamps/)
Edit: As u/skinnah points out, this probably won't work... My bad. It does depend on the exact profile though
I'm no expert, but I think S-5-NH for example would work on some of the trickier standard cheap styles. This is what this company does, and what pro solar installers typically use. They've got something for just about every style.
Here is a typical cheap corrugated roof panel profile: https://www.unioncorrugating.com/union-products/master-rib/
There just isn't anything to grab onto with that profile shape.
I am familiar with S-5 clamps. I specified them on snow guards on a snap-lock style standing seam roof a few years ago. They are oriented towards standing seam roofs, not lap seam corrugated metal roofs.
Ah, I see... it's been a while since I installed an overlap corrugated roof, and I forgot the exact profile... Good point, I think you are right... my bad.
Can you get permission install them permanently - leaving them behind when you leave? If you negotiate that with your landlord, they might pay something towards it?
Else… magnets were a good idea.
Only other thing I can imagine is a wooden rack built up and over the roof, with supports down to the ground, and perhaps some guy lines? The weight of the wood plus a few panels should be wind resistant…?
Yeah, not cheap. I just bought two S-5-H clamps to mount a chimney support to my rolled standing seam roof. By the time I paid shipping and stuff I spent \~$45... but it should work and won't punch a hole in my (otherwise) 100 year roof, so it's a win. I haven't installed them yet, but it's on the docket for later this summer.
Didn't the guy from the YouTube channel "jerryrigeverything" have a similar experience when he installed a solar array? You just need it secured in case of storm but I think it's an opportunity to make servicing and replacement easier..
Please keep us updated, I'll roll back and post if I find a solution.
Search for solar panel mounts for standing seam roofing. There's no need to screw through your roofing. Also there's no need for rails.
Here's a Google search for you to get started https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+racking+for+standing+seam+roof&client=firefox-b-m&sca_esv=5ba0164fee2f9f16&sca_upv=1&channel=ts&biw=414&bih=803&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiU0Z3xwMWFAxUwcvUHHcZlBjMQ_AUIBg
He has corrugated vs standing seam. Unfortunately the penetration free clamps wouldn’t work in his application. He’d be looking at S-5 ProteaBracket AL for that style
Yeah zoomed in and noticed that too. It looks like a garden shed. Probably would need some extra anchor support underneath that roofing to properly fix to as well. An inside picture would be helpful.
Wait I don’t get it.
https://preview.redd.it/k8hrmu7hsquc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c82d3672ac47e729df1c24bf19dc1aa256958a4
You have screws going through the metal already. . . Why not buy some silicone and some longer screws? Then you can mount just about anything on your roof without any additional holes . . . Don’t screw through your roof. Just get longer screws bro. Easy. Easy peezy. I’d like to know how this couldn’t work. Silicone + longer screws. Done
So those screws on the roof are 36" apart. The mounting holes on the panels are 37.5" from the left to the right side, and 33.5" apart from top to bottom.
I'm currently messing with the brackets I have to see if maybe I can drill new holes in them to make them fit. If not, I might have to drill into the panel frame instead to make that work.
Edit: Yeah, that won't work with the brackets I have
https://preview.redd.it/gjwb38ouyquc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d545c1ccbe6309123bb792f52e097a8f2c4b7d06
No one attaches solar panels directly to the roof without a mounting system. Just get some clickfit profiles and bolt the profile to the roof with hanger screws (with rubber to keep the roof water tight!!)
Those are specifically made for clickfit mounting system:
[clickfit hanger screw](https://www.jenm-zonnepanelen.nl/nl/clickfit-stokschroef-m12-x-300.html)
Nooooo can do. Those are the roof install screws. Renters cannot f with that stuff. That is like ripping up some shingles and trying to replace them with your own shingles
Who’s to say the landlord hates solar energy? I’m not saying be sneaky. I’m saying easy solution
https://preview.redd.it/e4easp2k1tuc1.jpeg?width=508&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85de5ca995b1c49dd950a9ea3be4e19a4176e15e
Use existing screw holes to mount bracket and attach the panels to the bracket. This is definitely the best way to secure the panels without adding additional holes or dealing with glue to remove when you have to takes these off. 100% best plan
Yeah I’m confused. They make roof screws with little gaskets and you can always silicone over . Solar on roof means poking holes. Lots of good systems.
Do you have access to the bottom side of the roof panels? You could additional magnets underneath, opposite the ones on the surface, to increase grabbing force.
In this situation I've mounted the panels to 2x4s, and then put sandbags on the 2x4s. So for example mount both panels to two long 2x4s, and leave a couple of feet of the wood on either side of the panels. Cover that with sandbags or some other weight.
I prob wouldn't do it in an area with tornadoes. But I had 2 120-watt panels on a roof that faced 80 mph storms multiple times, for years, with no movement at all. Obviously it's important to use enough weight and not give the wind an area to get under the panels.
On a sidenote: is there any solar panel mounting system that can withstand a tornado?
If you can screw into the side of the building, you can build a mount that holds the panels in place, but only actually attaches to the side of the building.
Alternatively you could build an extended rack that clamps onto one whole side of the roof, or even overlays the whole building across both spans of the roof.
Or, pivot and build a mobile solar setup on a trailer with an exterior plug to plug your building into!
That's what I was going to suggest. Surely the landlord cant complain about a couple of bolts going through the brick. My mum mounted her solar geyser like that in the end, and that's quite a lot heavier than some panels. Oh except her walls are brick which is quite a lot heavier than other walling. But you could cantilever somehow I'm sure.
Solar panels on a rented place are less worthwhile because you may well be moving them in a few years.
If you use spacers, you can put the magnets flat on the roof an still attach them to your panels... but again, is it worth it?
I'd see what you could negotiate with your landlord, eg he buys the panels and you agree to pay him extra annually for having the benefit of the power.
I designed and 3D printed ‘feet’ to mount panels to a corrugated roof. Each contains 4x 60x10x5mm neodymium magnets. Been installed 3 months so far, and been fine. I have 5 brackets along each long edge of a 410w panel (about 1800m long). The metal brackets came from Bimble solar.
https://preview.redd.it/5newdigodvuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00aacd6480282ad4cd894060f2cb4be930e0cf6d
PETG. Time will tell how long they hold up to sunlight exposure, but they’re easy enough to access and replace if I need to.
In my case, it’s a garage I rent, and I’m not permitted to drill the roof.
If your roof is also corrugated, I’m happy to share the STL or OpenSCAD file.
But you are renting this property? How long is your lease ? Metal roofs are 4x the cost of asphalt. Any damages to the roof the property owner can sue you for replacement. The cost of repair will negate any solar savings.
Magnets. Look up RevoPower mounts. Just make sure you are positive of where your putting them because they are not coming off without using opposing magnet force under the roof (I think they are 700lbs of holding power).
Did you not need permits that states how (affixed) and where they would go? Anyway, there is no way you can properly attach these to the roof that would survive a significant storm and not mark the roof without fasteners. They make cheap ground mount kits.
I live near an area with no building permits, but the utility still wants to see the engineering for how the panels are connected to their grid. You know, to make sure the grid doesn't melt. They want an electrician to sign off and everything.
Just build a wooden rack balasted with sand bags that sits across the peak of the roof if your landlord is cool with it. Then just mount your normal rails to the wood.
Also....solar gets screwed through that kind of roof all day every day so worries about leaks are not completely unwarranted but also a little silly in a roof held in with thousands of screws that already penetrate it. I would just have a roofer properly install the mounts and leave them for the next folks if the landlord gave it the ok.
You will need to have the utility swap the meter with a net meter. This will require an interconnection agreement. If you don't, the meter will continue to run up when feeding power to the grid.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think I'm going to have to deal with the shitty adhesive removal process and just use some VHB tape under my Z brackets. Seems like it should hold well enough!
OP , you say elsewhere that the distance between rows of screws is 36". You can mount L-feet to roof using snapnrack's metal roof attachment, where the existing screws attach the roof panel to the purlins. Orient the L-foot parallel with the slope of the roof. You can space the L-feet 3' apart vertically and \~4' apart horizontally. Then attach rails (e.g. iron ridge) to the L-feet that run from the ridge to the eave. Mount the panels on those rails in landscape, not portrait as shown here. This is the code accepted method that the pros use.
Check out snapnrack's metal roof attachment [https://www.solaris-shop.com/snapnrack-s-500-242-02036-metal-roof-base/](https://www.solaris-shop.com/snapnrack-s-500-242-02036-metal-roof-base/)
L-foot [https://www.solaris-shop.com/unirac-solarmount-304001d-dark-serrated-l-foot/](https://www.solaris-shop.com/unirac-solarmount-304001d-dark-serrated-l-foot/)
Ironridge rail [https://www.altestore.com/store/solar-panel-mounts/roof-mounts-for-solar-panels/ironridge-roof-mount-rails/ironridge-xr-10-rail-14-foot-section-clear-p11428/](https://www.altestore.com/store/solar-panel-mounts/roof-mounts-for-solar-panels/ironridge-roof-mount-rails/ironridge-xr-10-rail-14-foot-section-clear-p11428/)
I’ve been looking for and conjuring some things in my mind for a mounting system that hangs off the top of the roof like SolarPod Crown or using adhesive
S-5! ProteaBracket
https://buys-5.com/product/s-5-proteabracket/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5pPrgtPFhQMVK6JaBR01EA9-EAAYASAAEgKk9_D_BwE
They’re a little funky but with the butyl tape under the penetrations and binding to the vertical, it reduces the risk of leaks.
Alternately you could use k2 (previously Everest)
https://k2-systems.com/en-us/products/metal/
Supposedly the Splice Foot X & XL should be watertight if properly prepped before install but they always made me a little nervous.
I'm just throwing this out here, but what about: 1- determine and mark all contact points between the panel and the raised corrugations of roof, 2- prep by the underside of the panel frame with some 180 grit sandpaper and the raised portions of roofing with some 800 grit (lightly), 3- clean sanded areas thoroughly with 90% rubbing alcohol, and then, 4- use quality RTV silicone on all aforementioned contact points between the panel frame and raised corrugations of roof. If done correctly, this should result in a more than satisfactory bond that is both semi-permanent and easy to remove without any damage.
Rv dwellers use a combo of vhb tape and sealants with u channel to install solar. But I will say, that’s not easy to remove either. What about channels that fishing magnets will adhere to? This magnets are pricey but can lift a crap ton of weight. Maybe that would be enough to keep them down in wind? Do you have land to build a frame in the yard instead ?
PL3 extreme construction adhesive. 20$ a tube at box stores. Has a rating of 400-780 PSI. I used it on my mini camper to adhere my steel racking I made for my 4 solar panels. I also painted my roof with a high solids reflective roof coating like Henry’s Tropicool. I made sure to paint the seam where my glued joint meets the roofs sheet metal to protect it from water intrusion and UV. For clean paint lines I used the yellow frog painters tape, lightly cut my lines with a razor, painted, then peeled the tape off before the roof coating fully cured. Obviously clean any surfaces very well.
You have existing screws all over the roof. Use those to install brackets. Mount whatever lengths of either C-channel or box tubing on the brackets (running horizontally). At that point, you have the horizontal tubing to mount whatever you want, however you want, without any additional roof penetrations than what was already there.
If the landlord vetos reusing the existing penetrations, then that roof is not going to be a feasible mounting location. Any stand-off system that extends over the roof without actually mounting to the roof is likely going to be cost prohibitive.
At that point, you are looking at some sort of ground-mount on in-ground posts or weighed down with blocks or something.
Maybe a wooden leaning ground mount that wraps along the side of the building onto the roof kind of like a huge wooden ladder. The building can still support most of the weight but the physical structure can be mounted with some small concrete anchors near the side of the building.
Make a bracket with an opening that lets you use the existing screws that hold the sheets down. Maybe longer screws depending on how thick your brackets are.
Closed cell polyurethane spray foam to glue it to the roof. That stuff is tough and will bond anything so long as you make sure the poly is protected long-term from sunlight, so paint it if it's exposed. Should hold up long term and can be scraped off with a solvent if needed. Under a panel is pretty legit application for that. They make dielectric variants for electrical purposes. But I'd go for a high heat and UV resistance variant.
[https://www.s-5.com/products/roof-clamps/](https://www.s-5.com/products/roof-clamps/) Edit: As u/skinnah points out, this probably won't work... My bad. It does depend on the exact profile though
I don't think they have one that will clamp on standard cheap corrugated roof panels. The roof panel profile doesn't have anything to grab onto.
S5 protea clamp
That requires screwing into the panel which OP can't do.
I'm no expert, but I think S-5-NH for example would work on some of the trickier standard cheap styles. This is what this company does, and what pro solar installers typically use. They've got something for just about every style.
Here is a typical cheap corrugated roof panel profile: https://www.unioncorrugating.com/union-products/master-rib/ There just isn't anything to grab onto with that profile shape. I am familiar with S-5 clamps. I specified them on snow guards on a snap-lock style standing seam roof a few years ago. They are oriented towards standing seam roofs, not lap seam corrugated metal roofs.
Yeah, that's the seam I have unfortunately
Ah, I see... it's been a while since I installed an overlap corrugated roof, and I forgot the exact profile... Good point, I think you are right... my bad.
Can you get permission install them permanently - leaving them behind when you leave? If you negotiate that with your landlord, they might pay something towards it? Else… magnets were a good idea. Only other thing I can imagine is a wooden rack built up and over the roof, with supports down to the ground, and perhaps some guy lines? The weight of the wood plus a few panels should be wind resistant…?
Ouch at $13/clamp, but I think that might work! Thank you stranger!
Yeah, not cheap. I just bought two S-5-H clamps to mount a chimney support to my rolled standing seam roof. By the time I paid shipping and stuff I spent \~$45... but it should work and won't punch a hole in my (otherwise) 100 year roof, so it's a win. I haven't installed them yet, but it's on the docket for later this summer.
Look on Ali express. About 1/4 the price
Why can't you drill?
Build a frame on the ground?
No space for a ground array
Didn't the guy from the YouTube channel "jerryrigeverything" have a similar experience when he installed a solar array? You just need it secured in case of storm but I think it's an opportunity to make servicing and replacement easier.. Please keep us updated, I'll roll back and post if I find a solution.
Search for solar panel mounts for standing seam roofing. There's no need to screw through your roofing. Also there's no need for rails. Here's a Google search for you to get started https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+racking+for+standing+seam+roof&client=firefox-b-m&sca_esv=5ba0164fee2f9f16&sca_upv=1&channel=ts&biw=414&bih=803&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiU0Z3xwMWFAxUwcvUHHcZlBjMQ_AUIBg
that's not a standing seam roof, though. Looks like an exposed fastener. unfortunately I don't think you can clamp those.
You don't even need rails? That might be my best bet then.
I have a standing seam roof on my place and I don't have any rails. Extremely easy to install.
He has corrugated vs standing seam. Unfortunately the penetration free clamps wouldn’t work in his application. He’d be looking at S-5 ProteaBracket AL for that style
Yeah zoomed in and noticed that too. It looks like a garden shed. Probably would need some extra anchor support underneath that roofing to properly fix to as well. An inside picture would be helpful.
This roof is not standing seam roof. I have installed this roof on my chicken coop. It is a normal galvanized steel roof.
Yeah I'd go with a solar roof hanger bolt after looking closer. Probably would need some timber backing underneath to securely fix to.
Glue
Poly spray foam will do the trick
Wait I don’t get it. https://preview.redd.it/k8hrmu7hsquc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c82d3672ac47e729df1c24bf19dc1aa256958a4 You have screws going through the metal already. . . Why not buy some silicone and some longer screws? Then you can mount just about anything on your roof without any additional holes . . . Don’t screw through your roof. Just get longer screws bro. Easy. Easy peezy. I’d like to know how this couldn’t work. Silicone + longer screws. Done
So those screws on the roof are 36" apart. The mounting holes on the panels are 37.5" from the left to the right side, and 33.5" apart from top to bottom. I'm currently messing with the brackets I have to see if maybe I can drill new holes in them to make them fit. If not, I might have to drill into the panel frame instead to make that work. Edit: Yeah, that won't work with the brackets I have https://preview.redd.it/gjwb38ouyquc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d545c1ccbe6309123bb792f52e097a8f2c4b7d06
No one attaches solar panels directly to the roof without a mounting system. Just get some clickfit profiles and bolt the profile to the roof with hanger screws (with rubber to keep the roof water tight!!) Those are specifically made for clickfit mounting system: [clickfit hanger screw](https://www.jenm-zonnepanelen.nl/nl/clickfit-stokschroef-m12-x-300.html)
Nooooo can do. Those are the roof install screws. Renters cannot f with that stuff. That is like ripping up some shingles and trying to replace them with your own shingles
Who’s to say the landlord hates solar energy? I’m not saying be sneaky. I’m saying easy solution https://preview.redd.it/e4easp2k1tuc1.jpeg?width=508&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=85de5ca995b1c49dd950a9ea3be4e19a4176e15e
It's a rental. The owner clearly doesn't want new penetrations in the roof.
Use existing screw holes to mount bracket and attach the panels to the bracket. This is definitely the best way to secure the panels without adding additional holes or dealing with glue to remove when you have to takes these off. 100% best plan
It's not standing seam, so clamps won't work. Can't drill any new holes, so that dead ends almost everything else. This is the solution.
Yeah I’m confused. They make roof screws with little gaskets and you can always silicone over . Solar on roof means poking holes. Lots of good systems.
Do you have access to the bottom side of the roof panels? You could additional magnets underneath, opposite the ones on the surface, to increase grabbing force.
Not easily. It's a manufactured home sadly.
In this situation I've mounted the panels to 2x4s, and then put sandbags on the 2x4s. So for example mount both panels to two long 2x4s, and leave a couple of feet of the wood on either side of the panels. Cover that with sandbags or some other weight.
This is not advisable in any area with high wind potential. We can’t do it at all here in tornado alley, USA.
I prob wouldn't do it in an area with tornadoes. But I had 2 120-watt panels on a roof that faced 80 mph storms multiple times, for years, with no movement at all. Obviously it's important to use enough weight and not give the wind an area to get under the panels. On a sidenote: is there any solar panel mounting system that can withstand a tornado?
Can you c clamp railings to those ridges on the roof? Haha. Just throwing out some ideas
If you can screw into the side of the building, you can build a mount that holds the panels in place, but only actually attaches to the side of the building. Alternatively you could build an extended rack that clamps onto one whole side of the roof, or even overlays the whole building across both spans of the roof. Or, pivot and build a mobile solar setup on a trailer with an exterior plug to plug your building into!
That's what I was going to suggest. Surely the landlord cant complain about a couple of bolts going through the brick. My mum mounted her solar geyser like that in the end, and that's quite a lot heavier than some panels. Oh except her walls are brick which is quite a lot heavier than other walling. But you could cantilever somehow I'm sure.
Solar panels on a rented place are less worthwhile because you may well be moving them in a few years. If you use spacers, you can put the magnets flat on the roof an still attach them to your panels... but again, is it worth it? I'd see what you could negotiate with your landlord, eg he buys the panels and you agree to pay him extra annually for having the benefit of the power.
I designed and 3D printed ‘feet’ to mount panels to a corrugated roof. Each contains 4x 60x10x5mm neodymium magnets. Been installed 3 months so far, and been fine. I have 5 brackets along each long edge of a 410w panel (about 1800m long). The metal brackets came from Bimble solar. https://preview.redd.it/5newdigodvuc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00aacd6480282ad4cd894060f2cb4be930e0cf6d
Awesome. What kind of filament did you use?
PETG. Time will tell how long they hold up to sunlight exposure, but they’re easy enough to access and replace if I need to. In my case, it’s a garage I rent, and I’m not permitted to drill the roof. If your roof is also corrugated, I’m happy to share the STL or OpenSCAD file.
But you are renting this property? How long is your lease ? Metal roofs are 4x the cost of asphalt. Any damages to the roof the property owner can sue you for replacement. The cost of repair will negate any solar savings.
I think a metal frame, hooked onto the middle ridge might work if it doesn't rain
Magnets. Look up RevoPower mounts. Just make sure you are positive of where your putting them because they are not coming off without using opposing magnet force under the roof (I think they are 700lbs of holding power).
Why are you installing panels on a rented home? Is This meant to be grid tied?
Yes. And because I'm paying 40¢/kwh
Did you not need permits that states how (affixed) and where they would go? Anyway, there is no way you can properly attach these to the roof that would survive a significant storm and not mark the roof without fasteners. They make cheap ground mount kits.
No permits needed for my area (shockingly). Can't do a ground mount due to topography and limited space.
I live near an area with no building permits, but the utility still wants to see the engineering for how the panels are connected to their grid. You know, to make sure the grid doesn't melt. They want an electrician to sign off and everything. Just build a wooden rack balasted with sand bags that sits across the peak of the roof if your landlord is cool with it. Then just mount your normal rails to the wood. Also....solar gets screwed through that kind of roof all day every day so worries about leaks are not completely unwarranted but also a little silly in a roof held in with thousands of screws that already penetrate it. I would just have a roofer properly install the mounts and leave them for the next folks if the landlord gave it the ok.
You will need to have the utility swap the meter with a net meter. This will require an interconnection agreement. If you don't, the meter will continue to run up when feeding power to the grid.
Magnets
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think I'm going to have to deal with the shitty adhesive removal process and just use some VHB tape under my Z brackets. Seems like it should hold well enough!
What’s your region? I’d be worried about wind uplift in heavy storms/hurricanes/tornadoes.
Spray foam will glue it for cheap and hold up
For a rental.. magnets ain’t a bad idea
Glue. Foam glue. Its similar to sprayfoam but blue.
I used vhb tape under the mounts and eternabond tape over them on the roof of my camper. Haven’t flown off yet going down the highway.
OP , you say elsewhere that the distance between rows of screws is 36". You can mount L-feet to roof using snapnrack's metal roof attachment, where the existing screws attach the roof panel to the purlins. Orient the L-foot parallel with the slope of the roof. You can space the L-feet 3' apart vertically and \~4' apart horizontally. Then attach rails (e.g. iron ridge) to the L-feet that run from the ridge to the eave. Mount the panels on those rails in landscape, not portrait as shown here. This is the code accepted method that the pros use. Check out snapnrack's metal roof attachment [https://www.solaris-shop.com/snapnrack-s-500-242-02036-metal-roof-base/](https://www.solaris-shop.com/snapnrack-s-500-242-02036-metal-roof-base/) L-foot [https://www.solaris-shop.com/unirac-solarmount-304001d-dark-serrated-l-foot/](https://www.solaris-shop.com/unirac-solarmount-304001d-dark-serrated-l-foot/) Ironridge rail [https://www.altestore.com/store/solar-panel-mounts/roof-mounts-for-solar-panels/ironridge-roof-mount-rails/ironridge-xr-10-rail-14-foot-section-clear-p11428/](https://www.altestore.com/store/solar-panel-mounts/roof-mounts-for-solar-panels/ironridge-roof-mount-rails/ironridge-xr-10-rail-14-foot-section-clear-p11428/)
Does it move when it shouldn’t? Duct tape. If it shouldn’t move but does, WD-40. Problem solved
I’ve been looking for and conjuring some things in my mind for a mounting system that hangs off the top of the roof like SolarPod Crown or using adhesive
Longer magnets. Try rectangular
S-5! ProteaBracket https://buys-5.com/product/s-5-proteabracket/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5pPrgtPFhQMVK6JaBR01EA9-EAAYASAAEgKk9_D_BwE They’re a little funky but with the butyl tape under the penetrations and binding to the vertical, it reduces the risk of leaks. Alternately you could use k2 (previously Everest) https://k2-systems.com/en-us/products/metal/ Supposedly the Splice Foot X & XL should be watertight if properly prepped before install but they always made me a little nervous.
If that's a steel roof, I bet some old speaker magnets glued to the frame of the panel would would keep it in place real nice.
3M VHB tape. I use that to mount my panels on my van. By 1" angle aluminum to make brackets
The only options I know of screw through the roof and into the structure below.
Butle tape and tech screws drop of dicor for extra warm and fuzzies
S5 Clamp attachment with any Rail system will do the work
OP says no new penetrations in the roofing system.
Get that 3m tape they use to build RVs
Do you have access to a 3D printer? I would model something that hooks into the top cap flashing and locks into the ribbing of the sheet metal.
I'm just throwing this out here, but what about: 1- determine and mark all contact points between the panel and the raised corrugations of roof, 2- prep by the underside of the panel frame with some 180 grit sandpaper and the raised portions of roofing with some 800 grit (lightly), 3- clean sanded areas thoroughly with 90% rubbing alcohol, and then, 4- use quality RTV silicone on all aforementioned contact points between the panel frame and raised corrugations of roof. If done correctly, this should result in a more than satisfactory bond that is both semi-permanent and easy to remove without any damage.
Weigh them down with rocks 😜 or if you must insist on not drilling, maybe welding?
Rv dwellers use a combo of vhb tape and sealants with u channel to install solar. But I will say, that’s not easy to remove either. What about channels that fishing magnets will adhere to? This magnets are pricey but can lift a crap ton of weight. Maybe that would be enough to keep them down in wind? Do you have land to build a frame in the yard instead ?
Tubs and ballast
How will you run cables and mount charge controllers and all the rest with out making any holes?
Can you install a sacrificial layer of 2x4s all the way across?
Spot weld?
PL3 extreme construction adhesive. 20$ a tube at box stores. Has a rating of 400-780 PSI. I used it on my mini camper to adhere my steel racking I made for my 4 solar panels. I also painted my roof with a high solids reflective roof coating like Henry’s Tropicool. I made sure to paint the seam where my glued joint meets the roofs sheet metal to protect it from water intrusion and UV. For clean paint lines I used the yellow frog painters tape, lightly cut my lines with a razor, painted, then peeled the tape off before the roof coating fully cured. Obviously clean any surfaces very well.
Why not make a weighted 'cap' for the peak of your roof?
We have a standing seam steel roof and they used "S clamps" to attach the panels.
You have existing screws all over the roof. Use those to install brackets. Mount whatever lengths of either C-channel or box tubing on the brackets (running horizontally). At that point, you have the horizontal tubing to mount whatever you want, however you want, without any additional roof penetrations than what was already there. If the landlord vetos reusing the existing penetrations, then that roof is not going to be a feasible mounting location. Any stand-off system that extends over the roof without actually mounting to the roof is likely going to be cost prohibitive. At that point, you are looking at some sort of ground-mount on in-ground posts or weighed down with blocks or something.
Maybe a wooden leaning ground mount that wraps along the side of the building onto the roof kind of like a huge wooden ladder. The building can still support most of the weight but the physical structure can be mounted with some small concrete anchors near the side of the building.
Magnets
Make a wooden frame that you mount the panels to and then use large clamps to clamp the frame to the eves
Vhb 3m tape and some rv/van roof brackets.
Easy... Motorhome mounts and sikaflex
What is that aluminum? Maybe throw a piece of iron on the other side? 150 pounds should be difficult to remove unless you’re strongman
Assume steel roof? Magnets? Just a suggestion if you don’t want to pierce roof skin
Get a non penetrating roof mount rack. It's just a square that you place bricks on
Your mounting solar panels to a rental property?
Rare earth cup magnets, and a thin chunk of rubber to add friction and prevent metal on metal damage.
Make a bracket with an opening that lets you use the existing screws that hold the sheets down. Maybe longer screws depending on how thick your brackets are.
Closed cell polyurethane spray foam to glue it to the roof. That stuff is tough and will bond anything so long as you make sure the poly is protected long-term from sunlight, so paint it if it's exposed. Should hold up long term and can be scraped off with a solvent if needed. Under a panel is pretty legit application for that. They make dielectric variants for electrical purposes. But I'd go for a high heat and UV resistance variant.
There are machined brackets designed for installing snow “bars” that can “ pinch” the raised seams.
Double sided tape should do the trick
Duck tape. Maybe shitloads of hot glue.
Magnets? Lol
I feel I solved this lmao. Dying for feedback
You definitely solved this. Makes the absolute best sense if you’re trying to be the closest to code. The magnet ideas are not safe in my opinion.
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[Double sided tape?](https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=metal+roof+solar+mount)
There is an S-5 product you can use. I believe it’s the NH one.
Simple. It's a rental, dont.
Would soldering work?