Solar panels over the top of skylights

Hi guys
We currently have 2 skylights that have a large circular done extending maybe 20-30cm above the roof and both provide light to rooms that we don’t actually want more light in eg. Kids bedrooms for daytime sleeps. I would like to remove the dome part and replace them with a low profile acrylic dome as I would like to put solar panels over the top Of these skylights and capping them with a low profile dome seems a lower risk of leaks and likely less cost than removing the whole skylight? i have asked my installers how low profile they would need to be in order for the panels to ho easily over the top of them. Would this be a reasonable option or are we better off just removing the skylights altogether and putting tin roof over the top? Looking for the cheapest and easiest options . Thanks for your time
Regards
Josh

 

Putting a solar panel over the top will prevent future access If ever required. Take out the skylights and replace the roof tiles. It isn't going to cost much more to do the work properly.

You will also need to patch & paint your ceilings.

 

It depends on the angle of your existing roof and therefore whether your panels are going to be on angled frames to catch the sun or whether the roof angle is sufficient.

If on angled frames, there may be room for the skylights to stay as is.

You could also investigate having slightly raised frames that would clear the skylights.

 

Could you tint the skylights and go around them with the solar panels? Don’t know a lot about building but that may be the cheapest alternative.

 

As per @Scott No Mates
I wouldn't sacrifice a solar panel for a skylight.
In fact had a woodfire relocated at home due to the flu inpacting on solar panel placement.
You can buy solar powered skylights, a little panel anywhere externally with a wire running to the skylight that has LED lights in it

 

The roof is corrugated iron (I think). Any tips on differentiating it from zincalume? Is it correct that using both zincalume and corrugated iron together may cause problems?. Dr Google says No and Yes...

 

No. It's zincalume and Colorbond.

 

I can never remember (as its been too long)
But .......
If zinc sheeting is higher and the water flows from it to colorbond it causes electrolysis and the colorbond rusts out, or is it the other way around @Scott No Mates ?

 

@Stoffo - IIRC, you're spot on.

All of the articles that I've checked are more about incompatible metals eg zincalume & copper, Colorbond & lead etc

BlueScope Steel Australia: Avoid incompatible metals

 

The tech guides don’t mention any issue with colourbond and Zincalume.

 

Thanks @Joynz, looks like it's Galvanised which causes the issues not zincalume.

 

ok... so as per the above table... zIncalume would cause problems if it is a galvanised roof. How do I tell if it’s zincalume or galvanised? I strongly suspect it is the latter. The house is 100+y old although it has been re-roofed in the last 20y (presumably when the B$&@y skylights where installed!!!

 

Is it rusty? Old gal metal roofs are usually rusty.

 

It’s not rusty but when I say in the last 20y that could be anywhere between 5-20y as it was installed by the previous owners

 

Hi Jobeki

You could get into the roof space and look at the underside of the roof. It’ll be obvious if it’s gal - or if it’s colourbond - from underneath.

Colourbond has a small printed ‘colourbond’ label printed on it.

Are you intending to remove the skylight and patch the roof yourself...If not, just get a roofing plumber.

 

Hi Joynz
I was going to do it myself... both are in pretty easy, safe locations and look pretty easy, remove the screws and flashing, seal with a neutral cure sealant and re-screw...Maybe I’m being naive?