Forward-Thinking, Solar-Ready Commercial Roof Design

Recent energy conservation code updates in various jurisdictions require new and significantly altered roofs to be “solar ready.” These updates exemplify the broader universal trend of incorporating sustainable practices into new construction. Although many of these codes avoid prescribing specific photovoltaic (PV) design criteria, they typically mandate the allocation of a portion of the gross roof area for future PV panel installation. Rooftop PV design is inherently multidisciplinary and is influenced by a variety of factors, many of which benefit from coordination with base building design decisions. Accordingly, a proactive approach during initial roof design contributes to a successful, predictable implementation process during future PV installation. The authors have compiled a set of forward-thinking, solar-ready roof considerations for commercial, institutional, and multi-family low-slope roofs that can guide design professionals and other project stakeholders, regardless of whether their jurisdiction regulates solar readiness.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, the attendee will be able to:

• Identify the current available options for photovoltaic array support.
• Discuss early design phase considerations related to rooftop solar that can impact the roofing assembly performance.
• Identify how photovoltaic arrays can be effectively integrated with low-slope roofing systems.
• Understand typical rooftop solar provisions in building codes.

Presenters/Authors

Samantha Corbel, PE

Consulting Engineer
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

Samantha Corbel is a consulting engineer for Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) Inc. She is experienced with design enclosure consulting, construction administration, rehabilitation, and investigation projects for owners, architects, and clients in the DC, Maryland, and Viriginia areas. She has investigated roof leakage related to PV panels and has consulted with architects regarding Net Zero and on-site renewable energy goals.

Jacob Ringer, EIT

Associate Project Consultant
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

Jacob Ringer joined Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) Inc.’s technical staff in the Washington, DC office in 2022. He is experienced with enclosure consulting for a variety of project types including commissioning, rehabilitation, and investigation, as well as with dispute resolution and building science.

Non-Presenting Author

John Karras, PE 

Principal
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

John Karras is a principal in Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) Inc.’s Building Technology group. He has over 20 years of building enclosure consulting and construction management experience on commercial, institutional, government, and multifamily buildings. He serves architect, building owner, and contractor clients while designing, investigating, and rehabilitating building enclosure systems on a variety of building types. His responsibilities include design consultation, preparation of design documents, field investigation, and construction administration related to building enclosure systems such as below-grade waterproofing, roofing, exterior wall claddings and weather barriers, and fenestration/glazing systems.

Length: 00:54:34

Last Updated: April 28, 2025