Should You Use Tile Hooks Or A Comp-Out To Install Solar Panels On Your Concrete Tile Roof?

Installing solar panels on a concrete tile roof can be a challenge, especially if it's lightweight concrete tile. Concrete is more brittle than it appears, especially if it has started to oxidize due to being exposed to the elements for several years. Drilling through the concrete tile in order to attach a solar panel mount to a rafter underneath has a good chance of shattering it apart, so alternate methods need to be used for solar panel installation.

One method of installing solar panels on a concrete tile roof is to attach them to hooks placed underneath the tiles. The other common method is to remove the tiles entirely and replace that section of the roof with composite shingles, which is an installation procedure called a comp-out. To learn more about these solar panel installation methods and how you can pick the right one for you, read on.

Tile Hooks

Using tile hooks allows you to install solar panels on a concrete tile roof without removing any tiles. In order to attach a tile hook to a roof, a solar panel will temporarily remove one of the concrete tiles and then screw the hook into the rafter. Afterwards, they'll install an aluminum flashing around the base of the tile hook to prevent any water from seeping underneath of it into your attic. The tile will be replaced, and then a rail will be attached to the hook coming from underneath the rafter, allowing it to support a solar panel.

The biggest advantage of using tile hooks for solar panel installation is that it preserves the appearance of your roof. Removing a section of your concrete tile roof and replacing it with composite shingles will noticeably change it — people close to your home will be able to see the composite shingles under the solar panels.

Comp-Out

Performing a comp-out to install solar panels on a concrete tile roof requires removing all of the tiles where the solar panels will be installed and then installing composite shingles in that section. Composite shingles aren't as brittle as concrete tile, so mounting brackets for the panels can be screwed through the shingles directly into your rafters without damaging them. The mounting brackets hold the rail that the solar panels will be attached to.

Comp-outs are often less expensive than using tile hooks for solar panel installation, even though it requires installing an entirely new roof on portions of your home. Installation costs are lower because comp-outs can be done much faster. In addition, you'll most likely end up with a lot of broken concrete tiles when you're using tile hooks to install solar panels. It's nearly impossible to walk on them without breaking a few of them — they're too thin and brittle to support very much weight. You'll have to spend some extra money replacing all of the tiles that were broken during the installation process.

Overall, the right method to choose for installing solar panels on your concrete tile roof depends on how much you care about its appearance. If the visible composite shingles don't bother you, then a comp-out will be faster and typically less expensive. Tile hooks are the better choice if you want to preserve the appearance of your roof. Regardless of which installation method you choose, make sure it's done by a solar panel installation company that has experience working on tile roofs — they're more challenging to work with than other types of roofs, so the experience is an absolute necessity. 

For more information, contact a local company like Island Solar Service.