Almost any roof in Perth can take solar. The type of roof changes how the panels are mounted. Getting that right keeps a roof watertight and the panels secure for decades. Perth homes are mostly tile or metal. Each is handled differently. This guide explains how solar is installed on tile, tin, Colorbond and Klip-Lok roofs. It covers what to watch for with each. It shows why roof type is part of proper system design rather than an afterthought.
The reassuring news is that an experienced installer works with all of these roof types every week. The mounting hardware for each is well proven. The differences are in the method, not in whether solar will work.
Why Roof Type Matters
Solar panels are held on a roof by a mounting system. It must do two jobs at once: anchor the panels securely against wind. It must also preserve the roof’s weatherproofing where it is penetrated. Every roof material is fixed and sealed differently. The brackets, feet and flashing used on a tile roof are not the same as those used on metal. Matching the right method to the roof prevents leaks. It protects the roof warranty. It keeps the array solid through years of Perth weather.
Solar on a Tile Roof
Tile roofs, in both terracotta and concrete, are common across Perth. Solar is fitted to them using tile roof hooks. The installer lifts or removes a tile. The installer fixes a hook to the timber rafter beneath. The installer shapes or trims the tile so it sits back down neatly over the hook. This keeps the roof line intact. Done properly, the result is secure and watertight.
The main considerations with tile are care and craftsmanship. Terracotta in particular can be brittle. This is especially true on older homes. A good installer works carefully. The installer carries spare tiles to replace any that are cracked. Tile work is more involved than metal. The quality of the installer matters most here. This is exactly why the placement and fixing are planned in advance rather than improvised on the day.
Solar on a Colorbond or Tin Roof
Metal roofs, including Colorbond and older tin, are very well suited to solar. They are often the simplest and tidiest to work with. The method depends on the profile of the metal.
- Klip-Lok and standing-seam roofs. Klip-Lok is a common concealed-fixed metal roof in Perth. Its raised ribs allow clamps that grip the seam directly. In most cases the panels are mounted without any penetration of the roof sheet at all. This is about as clean and watertight as solar mounting gets.
- Corrugated and trimdek roofs. These are fixed with tin feet screwed into the roof at the crest of the corrugation. A quality weatherproof washer seals the fixing so it stays watertight.
Metal roofs also tend to run in long, unbroken planes. This makes for efficient, good-looking panel layouts. For many Perth homes, a Colorbond roof is close to an ideal surface for solar.
Solar on a Flat Roof
Some Perth homes, particularly newer or architectural builds, have flat or very low-pitch roofs. Tilt frames can be used to lift panels to a steeper angle. Positive Energy Solutions does not routinely recommend them. They add cost and wind loading. They need generous spacing so one row does not shade the next. This reduces how many panels fit. Modern panels laid at the roof’s own low pitch still perform well in Perth’s strong sun. A cleaner, flush layout usually makes better use of the available area.
The one trade-off to be aware of is cleaning. Panels sitting close to flat do not shed dust and dirt as readily as steeply pitched ones. Rain does not run off and carry the grime away as effectively. For that reason, monitoring the system through its online portal is worthwhile on a flat roof. Any drop in output is easy to see. If production falls noticeably over time, a simple panel clean restores it. This can be arranged without difficulty. This is a normal part of owning a flat-roof system rather than a drawback of solar itself.
Roof Type at a Glance
| Roof type | How panels are mounted | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Tile (terracotta or concrete) | Tile roof hooks fixed to the rafters, tiles reshaped over them | Care needed with brittle tiles; installer quality matters most |
| Klip-Lok / standing-seam metal | Clamps that grip the raised seam, usually with no penetration of the roof | Among the cleanest and easiest roofs to mount on |
| Corrugated or trimdek (Colorbond) | Tin feet screwed and sealed at the corrugation crest | Well proven; correct sealing keeps it watertight |
| Flat or low pitch | Usually mounted flush at the roof low pitch; tilt frames not routinely recommended | Monitor output via the portal; clean the panels if production drops noticeably |
What Else Affects the Install
Beyond the material, a few things about a roof shape the design. The pitch and orientation affect how much sun the panels catch. They also affect whether tilt frames help. The age and condition of the roof matter. It is far easier to address a tired roof before panels go on than after. The available area determines how many panels fit. This must allow for obstructions such as vents, skylights and shading. The guide on how much roof space is needed for solar covers this.
How Positive Energy Solutions Can Help
Positive Energy Solutions installs on tile, Colorbond, corrugated and flat roofs across the Perth metropolitan area. We use the correct mounting system and flashing for each so the roof stays watertight and the array stays secure. Every installation is completed by our accredited installers to the current standards and signed off to Positive Energy’s completion standards. It is backed by a 10-year installation workmanship warranty and Positive Energy Protection, powered by Omnidian. Both the roof work and the system are covered for the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can solar panels go on any roof type?
Almost always, yes. Tile, Colorbond, corrugated metal and flat roofs can all take solar. The difference is the mounting method used for each. An installer selects the correct hooks, clamps, feet or tilt frames to suit the roof. This means the array is secure and the roof stays watertight.
Is a tile or metal roof better for solar?
Both work well. Metal roofs such as Colorbond are often the simplest and tidiest to mount on. Sometimes they do this without penetrating the sheet. Tile roofs are very common in Perth. They mount securely with tile hooks when done carefully. The right approach depends on the specific roof, not on one being unsuitable.
Can solar panels go on a Klip-Lok roof?
Yes, and Klip-Lok is one of the best roofs for solar. Its raised standing seams let the mounting clamps grip the roof directly. In most cases the panels are fixed without penetrating the roof sheet at all. That makes for a clean, secure and watertight installation.
Will installing solar damage my tiles?
A careful installer avoids damage by lifting tiles gently and fixing hooks to the rafters. The installer carries spare tiles to replace any that crack. This can happen with older or brittle terracotta. This is one reason installer quality matters most on a tile roof.
Do panels leak where they are fixed to the roof?
Not when installed correctly. Metal roof fixings use sealed, weatherproof washers. Tile hooks are designed to sit under the tile line. Flat-roof frames are properly flashed or ballasted. Correct sealing and flashing keep the roof watertight. This is part of a compliant installation.
Solar for Your Roof, Done Right
Whatever the roof over a Perth home, there is a proven, watertight way to mount solar on it. The best method for a particular roof is something a Positive Energy Solutions site assessment settles as part of the design.
Talk to the local team about solar for your roof: positiveenergy.com.au/contact/
About the Author
Jason Wiktorowicz
Sales Manager, Positive Energy Solutions | Perth, WA
Jason has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition for over a decade. He was Orchestration Lead on Project Symphony. That is WA’s largest virtual power plant pilot. He was Stream Lead on Project Encore. He worked directly with AEMO, Western Power and Energy Policy WA. This was to shape how distributed energy resources connect and operate on the SWIS. That work included developing and rolling out CSIP-AUS. It is now mandatory for all new WA grid connections. He also led Emergency Solar Management. This was the first program of its kind in WA. He led VPP for Schools. This provided direct market benefits through Supplementary Reserve Capacity. He led REBAR, the WA Residential Battery Rebate scheme.
At Positive Energy Solutions, Jason leads sales with a focus on system design accuracy and long-term performance. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems, EV chargers and heat pumps. We hold partner accreditations with Fronius, SigEnergy, iStore and SunPower.
10-year installation workmanship warranty. Positive Energy Protection, powered by Omnidian, performance monitoring included on all systems.
