[TimJFowler]

Originally Posted by Higgy

I'd like to eventually replace mine with something that is both non-toxic to water runoff so that I can collect and use cleaner rainwater during the summer, and also that can do some type of solar paneling. We live in a cold climate as well, so something that can handle that type of weather.

We went chose metal panels (Pro-Panel) for precisely that reason. Metal Panels are long lasting, non-toxic with respect to rainwater and "cool" if you pick the right color. We are collecting rainwater off the roof to irrigate the garden. In fact, I need to add capacity to the system as our rain barrels filled after one storm!

I wrote about our rainwater catchment set up here - Happiness is a Full Rain Barrel | EcoDaddyo.com