INSTALLATION • ROOF TYPES

Choose your roof type — we’ll show you the right solar installation method.

Roof type drives everything: how we mount, how we waterproof, how we manage wind uplift, and how we keep your installation clean and beautiful for decades. Pick your roof below to see real ABC Solar photos and our field-proven approach.

Licensed • Insured • Built to last CCL#914346 (B-General & C-46 Solar)
Reality check: many “solar problems” are really roof interface problems. We treat roof work like a craft: correct attachment, clean layout, and waterproofing you can trust.

Roof types we install on every week

Composition shingle roof
Most Common

Composition Shingle

Standard residential roof. The key is proper mounting feet, flashing, and waterproofing that stays solid through decades of heat cycles.

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Spanish tile roof with solar
Tile Craft

Spanish Tile

Tile requires a clean approach: remove specific tiles, install mounts on structure, then return tiles with correct clearances and watertight details.

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Old Spanish tile removal for solar installation
Weight + Waterproofing

Old Spanish Tile

Older tile can be heavy and fragile. The strategy often includes selective removal, weight management, and rebuilding a durable waterproof layer.

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Concrete tile roof preparation for solar
Clean Finish

Concrete Tile

Concrete tile installs can look incredible when done right. Proper mount layout + correct tile returns = a factory-clean look.

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Flat roof solar installation
Tilt + TOU Strategy

Flat Roof

Flat roofs are all about tilt, wind, and waterproofing. We also consider TOU timing (often S/SW) to align production with your bill.

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Standing seam metal roof
Clamp Mount

Standing Seam Metal

Often the cleanest metal roof option: clamp-based attachments can minimize penetrations. The main penetration is usually the conduit path.

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Stamped metal roof detail
New Build Friendly

Stamped Metal Roof

Great on new construction when solar is planned early. The win is coordinating mounts, roof paper, and final roofing so everything lands tight and sealed.

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Unique I-beam structure for solar mounting
Custom Engineering

Unique Roof / Special Structures

I-beams, patio covers, pool structures, architectural features—this is where experience matters. We design sub-structures that are strong, serviceable, and clean.

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New construction solar mounting at plywood stage
Plan It Early

New Construction (Homes + ADUs)

Best-in-class results come from planning at the plywood stage: correct mount layout, wire pathways, batteries, and service upgrades—especially for ADUs.

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How to choose the right approach (fast)

1) Roof integrity comes first

  • If the roof is near end-of-life, solar should be paired with a roof plan (repair, partial re-roof, or full re-roof).
  • We care about structure: rafters/trusses, sheathing, and real attachment—because wind uplift is real.
  • Leak prevention is not “a product” — it’s craft: correct flashing + correct execution.
Tip: If an installer won’t talk details about attachment + waterproofing, that’s your warning sign.

2) Performance is a layout problem

  • Shade analysis (trees, chimneys, parapets) can make or break a design.
  • Panel placement is a balance: aesthetics, production, and serviceability (leave access paths where needed).
  • We plan conduit runs intentionally so the finished system looks clean, not improvised.
Tip: On TOU rates, matching production to your peak window can be as valuable as raw kWh.
Modern best practice: battery storage is now the smartest way to beat TOU and protect against outages. If you’re planning solar today, we recommend reviewing storage options early: abcsolar.com/storage/.

Ready to talk with a designer?

Call our service & design team and tell us your roof type, city, and your goal (bill reduction, backup power, EV charging, ADU build, or all of the above). We’ll guide you to the right next step.