Installing Solar on a Spanish Tile Roof

This page preserves the original ABC Solar photo sequence for light Spanish tile roofs, rebuilt with a modern, mobile-first layout. The method is simple: respect the roof, hit structure, and waterproof like your reputation depends on it—because it does.

Tile-aware mountingmounts sit under tile; risers pass through

Structure-firstrafters located + pre-drilled

Waterproofingroof penetration materials done correctly

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1) Removing Specific Tiles (to reach rafters)

For light Spanish tile roofs, tiles are removed above the rafter locations so mounting feet can be installed properly. The mounting feet fit under the tile and form the foundation of the rooftop solar installation.

Each tile is drilled so the tile can be replaced, and a riser is attached to the mounting foot—allowing the rail system to mount securely while preserving the roof’s finished surface.

Selective tile removal Rafter hit Riser through drilled tile

Crew removing Spanish roof tiles to access rafter locations for solar mounts. — Tiles removed above rafters so mounting feet can be installed under-tile.

Rails staged on Spanish tile roof after mounting points are established. — Mount points established; rails staged and aligned across the roof plane.

2) Feeder Drill Holes (smooth, safe, strong)

Once the rafters and mount layout are confirmed, feeder holes are drilled to make bolting into the rafter smoother, safer, and stronger. (Hardware is selected per engineering and roof conditions.)

3) Waterproofing (job #1)

Every penetration is sealed using standard roofing penetration waterproofing materials. On tile roofs, this is non-negotiable: if the roof leaks, the job is not finished.

Penetration sealing Under-tile protection Long-term reliability

Electrical and system components staged during installation; part of the Spanish tile solar project workflow. — Work-in-progress staging: clean routing and methodical assembly reduce mistakes and callbacks.

4) Rails Attach to the Solar Mounts

Rails are laid along the mounts to confirm distance, straightness, and the intended module layout (portrait vs landscape). Rails are drilled above each mount and attached with the appropriate hardware.

Crew beginning module placement on rails on a Spanish tile roof. — Rails set; modules begin going on as alignment is verified.

Close-up of system electronics / monitoring components during solar installation. — Electronics and monitoring: tidy builds make service and upgrades easier later.

5) Solar Panels Attached to Rails (finish clean)

The most satisfying part: modules are attached to the rails, aligned, clamped, and wired. The finished array should look intentional—straight lines, consistent spacing, and a quiet, rigid structure.

Completed solar array installed on a Spanish tile roof. — Completed Spanish tile roof array: clean, straight, and securely mounted.

First decision: choose the best roof plane

Before tile comes off, the most important decision is selecting the optimum roof surface: minimize shading, avoid tricky obstructions, keep conduit runs sane, and pick the cleanest electrical path.

The best-looking system is the one that’s designed correctly from the start.