Can You Walk on Solar Roof Tiles? Is it Safe!

Solar roof tiles are mini solar panels that replace conventional roof tiles and solar panels. Instead of having solar panels on your roof, you have a roof that doubles as a solar panel. Most people are familiar with Tesla roofs but there are at least four other solar roof manufacturers in the U.S.

The biggest attraction of a solar roof is its aesthetic. A solar roof has a sleeker, less obtrusive look than the traditional roof and solar design. But how durable are solar roofs? Can you walk on them if you need to do repairs? That is the subject of this post.

Can You Walk on A Solar Roof?

One can walk on a solar roof because the shingles are strong enough to support the same weight as a traditional roof. Conventional solar panels can bear a weight of up to 50 pounds per square foot. A full-grown man weighs an average of 200 pounds.

The main reason why you might need to walk on a solar roof is to carry out maintenance on a malfunctioning tile or just to remove debris like a fallen tree branch.

While you can walk on a solar roof, it is strongly recommended that you do not. There are two reasons for this.

1. There is the possibility you might damage the solar tiles. While they are equipped to handle the weight, microcracks in the glass caused by exposure to heat and cold can weaken the glass and cause it to break if pressure is applied.
2. The glass on a solar tile is slippery. Most roofs are sloped. Walking on a sloped slippery surface is a huge safety risk. Conventional roofs are already dangerous. A solar roof made of glass is twice as dangerous.

The conclusion, therefore, is while you could walk on your solar roof, you should avoid doing so. (Source)

Also. check out “Can A Golf Ball Break A Solar Panel? What Can Crack it !“

Can You Walk on Solar Tiles?

You can walk on solar tiles. Solar tiles, like the ones you find on Tesla solar roofs, are made from tempered glass that is stronger than traditional roof tiles.

You can walk on solar tiles but you shouldn’t. They can support your weight but you would be taking a safety risk and there is the possibility you will damage them if there is even so much as a hairline fracture in them.

This is why you should not cover your entire roof in solar shingles. It is better to have only part of your roof have solar tiles while the rest of your roof has regular roof tiles. This is a much more practical design for the following reasons.

• It is much safer. If there is any maintenance or repairs needed, you can walk around the solar tiles without stepping on them.
• You typically do not need to cover the entire roof in solar tiles to meet your energy requirements. Covering your whole roof in solar tiles would likely produce more energy than you need. A 2000-square-foot solar roof can produce around 9.5 kWh of energy per day. That is about 35 to 40% of the surface area of a typical roof.

The solar tiles and conventional tiles are blended so they are indistinguishable from each other. The result is a uniform design in which the casual eye cannot tell the difference between the solar tile and the regular roof tile.

Are Solar Tiles Safe?

Solar roof tiles are up to 3 times stronger than conventional roof tiles. They have been tested for resistance against hail by the American National Standards Institute, wind by the American Society for Testing and Materials, and fire by the UL.

Also, check out our post ” Where Can You Buy Solar Roof Tiles? What You Need To Know!“

Comparing Solar Roofs to Solar Panels

Solar roofs are a more expensive investment than simply adding solar panels to an existing roof. It only makes sense where the roof needs to be replaced so instead of installing a new roof and solar panels, a solar roof is installed.

Pros of a solar roof

• They can be cheaper if the installation requires both a new roof and solar panels.
• They look better. Conventional solar panels on a roof look intrusive compared to a solar roof.
• You avoid the potential of a roof leak that may come with having solar panels bolted onto your roof. This very rarely happens, however, so it is only a small possibility but worth noting.
• A solar roof has a lifespan of 25 years.

Cons of a solar roof

• They can be more expensive than traditional solar panels. They cost up to $2000 more per kilowatt for residential installations.
• They are much more complicated to install. This adds to the time and cost to install a solar roof. (Source)
• Solar roofs are less efficient. You need to use more panels with a solar roof than you would with conventional solar panels. The latter produces more energy per square foot. This and the complicated installation drive the final cost up.

Can You Walk on Flexible Solar Panels?

Flexible solar panels can take loads of up to 5,400 pounds per square foot but walking on solar panels can cause internal damage to the solar cells.

The first flexible solar panels fall were made from thin-film materials like copper, selenium, and gallium which were less efficient. New flexible solar panels are made from thin crystalline silicon wafers.

Flexible solar panels are more commonly used for RVs, camping, and as an alternative to rigid rooftop solar panels. They are also used in large commercial installations where space is abundant and high-efficiency solar panels are not needed. (Source)

The main advantage of flexible solar panels is that they are thinner and lighter than rigid solar panels. They are also typically cheaper. This makes them a popular option for mobile vehicles like campers and boats.

The biggest downside to flexible solar panels is their energy output. Flexible solar produces less energy because they have a lower efficiency compared to rigid solar panels. They have an energy conversion of between 7 to 15%, which is much less than the 18 to 23% you get with rigid panels.