Both a new roof and a solar system are large investments.  Can you recoup your investments in both?Recouping a solar investment is appreciated in revenue/savings from annual production and in the resale value of the system at any point in it’s service life.

When installed properly, metal roofing can last as long as fifty years or more, requiring very little maintenance and looking beautiful all the while.  Few homeowners realize until after the fact but metal roofing can actually cost as little or less than asphalt roofing.  Since asphalt roofing needs to be replaced 2 – 4 times as often as metal roofing.  Add a solar system on an asphalt shingle roof and the costs to re-roof will increase.  The wear and tear on a roof from solar installation and maintenance can shorten it’s service life.   When re-roofing on a solar system, an installation may have to be brought up to current code.  Metal tiles are non-combustible and lightweight, allowing them to replace an asphalt roof.

Energy savings from a metal roof with a “cool roof” can be substantial, see a study on roof thermal performance – http://web.ornl.gov/sci/buildings/2012/2010%20B11%20papers/64_Miller.pdf .   Power Shield tiles have a double lath installation system that increases the above sheath ventilation – saving money in the summer as well as winter, and maximizing solar tile performance.