IBR / corrugated iron
Most common SA roof type. Rail-and-clamp systems attach to the roof ribs without penetrating the sheeting. Installers use hook bolts or tek screws into rafters, with butyl tape sealing.
Cost premium versus baseline: none — IBR is the industry baseline for quoting. Natural pitch of most IBR roofs (15–30°) is near-optimal for Gauteng and Mpumalanga latitudes.
Concrete and clay roof tiles
Requires tile removal and replacement with tile hooks, or over-rail systems using penetrating mounts. Each penetration must be flashed and sealed properly.
Labour premium: 15–25% versus IBR. The real risk is cracked tiles during installation — insist on seeing the installer's previous tile roof work. A good installer will have photos.
Flat concrete
Requires tilt frames — there is no option to install panels flat. Two mounting types:
- Ballasted: Weighted down, no penetrations. Good for waterproofed membranes you don't want to puncture. Requires wind load calculation for exposed or high-rise sites.
- Mechanically fixed: Penetrating mounts bolted through the slab. More secure in high-wind areas. Each penetration must be waterproofed with flashing and sealant.
Minimum tilt: 15° is industry practice. 20–25° is better for both output and self-cleaning. Cost addition: R1 500–R3 000 per panel for quality tilt frames. You can check the optimal tilt angle for your specific area in our solar panel angle guide.
Also requires careful spacing between rows to prevent self-shading — panels in front can shade panels behind, especially in winter when the sun is lower. Learn more about how shadows impact output in our shading impact guide.
Thatch
Ground-mounted systems are the correct solution for thatched homes. These use concrete footings or ground screws to support the panel array in the garden or on adjacent land.
Installers who offer to put panels on a thatch roof should be treated with extreme caution — this is a safety issue, not just a performance one.
Standing seam metal
The easiest roof type for solar. S-5! and similar seam clamps grip the standing seam without any penetration at all. Zero leak risk. Popular in farm buildings and modern architectural homes.
Only challenge: lower natural pitch (often 5–10°) may need supplementary tilt framing to achieve optimal angle. Without it, output drops 10–20% and dust accumulation increases.
Slate
Fragile and expensive. Requires experienced slate roofers, not standard solar installers, to work around the installation. Specialist hook systems exist but must be specified at quoting stage.
Labour premium: 30–50% versus IBR. Always ask: has the installer specifically installed solar on slate before? If not, get a specialist.
Quick reference table
| Roof Type | Mounting Method | Cost vs IBR | Leak Risk | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBR / Corrugated | Rail-and-clamp | Baseline | Low | ★★★★★ |
| Concrete / Clay Tiles | Tile hooks | +15–25% | Medium | ★★★★☆ |
| Flat Concrete | Tilt frames | +20–40% | Low–Med | ★★★★☆ |
| Thatch | ✗ Not compatible (Use ground mount) | N/A | N/A | ✗ Not recommended |
| Standing Seam | Seam clamps | Baseline | Very Low | ★★★★★ |
| Slate | Specialist hooks | +30–50% | Medium | ★★★☆☆ |
Get matched with an installer who knows your roof type
Our installers are experienced with every SA roof type — from IBR to slate.