Solar energy Metal rooves for drinking and garden water

Hi Ross,
We are thinking about getting solar cells on the roof. We also are thinking about getting a metal roof to collect the water for the garden and possibly to drink. Do you think it's a doable combination to DIY it? I"m a pretty handy person and my wife is too.
Thanks,
John S
PDX OR

Metal roofs and solar...and water collection go hand in hand. You really don't want to ingest water from a petroleum product covered roof. Think of all those nasty hydrocarbons and benzenes and other chemicals that would be added to a potable water collector. In fact, I believe it is illegal in many states to use rainwater collected from a tar shingled or tar papered roof. I THINK you could still use the water for watering plants.
Metal standing seem roofs are just about perfect for solar. Many companies use metal roofing as the preferred way to attach solar panels. For water collection just use a bypass/flush filter device so that the dirt and debris which accumulates on your roof between showers will by discarded.