SUNBEAM INNOVATIONS
Massachusetts is rich with historic architecture, meaning many homes feature beautiful but fragile cedar wood shake or natural slate roofs. If you are planning to transition to clean energy, installing solar panels on these materials requires careful consideration regarding structural integrity, historic commission rules, and modern building codes.
Wood shake shingles are prone to rotting over time, and natural slate is incredibly heavy and fragile. Driving a lag bolt and flashing through these materials makes it incredibly difficult to guarantee a watertight seal against melting New England ice. Furthermore, adding heavy solar equipment on top of aging historic roofs can compromise the structural integrity of the home.
If a Massachusetts homeowner with a wood shake or slate roof is determined to go solar, SunBeam Innovations often utilizes a "comp-out" method. This involves removing the historic shingles entirely in the exact square footage where the solar array will sit. We then lay down heavy-duty underlayment and standard asphalt shingles in that specific area to create a safe, waterproof mounting surface for the solar panels. The rest of the roof retains its historic aesthetic.
If your home is in a designated historic district, replacing visible slate or wood shake with solar panels may require special approvals. We handle all documentation and work with local MA historic commissions to ensure the installation is compliant, often designing low-profile systems that minimize street-level visibility.
Our engineers will build a custom solar blueprint engineered for your operation — backed by 30-year linear warranties and Tier-1 equipment.
