Roof-mounted solar panels are an excellent method to harness the sun’s power while saving money on utility costs.
A roof is an excellent place for solar panels since it receives a lot of sunlight, which is beneficial for optimizing your home’s solar energy production. In addition, high-efficiency solar panels installed on your roof may create power even on overcast days by capturing direct and indirect sunlight.
Roof-mounted Solar Panels
One of the first questions a consultant will ask you when you begin your solar project is regarding the age and condition of your roof. You must complete that work before installing solar panels if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced.
Please continue reading to learn why it’s critical to solve roof-related issues before installing solar panels.
Why Roofs Are a Great Place for Solar Panels
Roofs are the most typical area for house solar power system installation and good reason.
The more solar energy panels receive from the sun, the more solar energy they can produce to assist in replacing grid power. In addition, an unobstructed roof with a sun-facing slope helps enhance your property’s solar exposure and energy production.
Roof-mounted solar panels can be installed on your home as well as on a variety of outbuildings, including:
- Barns
- Sheds
- Garages
- Carports
To establish if a roof on any of these residential structures is suitable for solar panels, numerous parameters will be considered:
- Asphalt, metal, tile, and other materials are examples of roofing shingles.
- Roof style (design) – gable, hip, gambrel, etc.
- The angle of the roof and the direction it faces
- Overall situation
What Type of Roofing Shingles (Materials) are Best for Solar Panels?
Solar panels can be mounted on various roofing shingles (materials). Asphalt-shingled roofs are a suitable alternative if they are in good shape and have a sufficient functional surface area.
What Roof Type (Style or Design) is Best for Solar Panels?
Solar panels can be put on practically any roof type with a few exceptions.
Roof-mounted solar panels could be installed on your house, garage, shed, or barn roof. A solar installer can determine the optimum approach to mount panels on a gable, hip, or hybrid roof.
Solar engineers and installers can divide solar arrays into parts to work around roof components, including skylights, box vents, and pipe boots.
What Roof Slope is Best for Solar Panels?
A home roof-mounted solar system should be installed at an angle corresponding to the latitude of its installation location to maximize sun exposure. However, this is only sometimes achievable.
Most solar power systems require a roof slope ranging from 15 to 40 degrees. Individual solar panels can also be changed to the best angle for maximum sun exposure.
Your solar panel installers can assist you in determining whether or not your roof slope is acceptable for solar panel installation.
What Roof Slope Orientation is Best for Solar Panels?
The direction or orientation of the roof slope where the solar panels are mounted is another aspect that influences solar panel electricity production.
The conventional recommendation in the Northern Hemisphere (all areas in the United States) is for solar panels to face south because the south-facing sides of roofs receive the most sunshine during the day.
Is Your Roof Solar-Ready?
While practically any property can support solar panel installations, there are some issues you should ask regarding your roof before embarking on a solar project.
Take care of your roof first to avoid slowing down or stopping your solar installation.
What is the Square Footage of Your Roof?
When it comes to solar, roof size is essential. To install solar panels, your roof may need a certain amount of usable surface area.
The minimal usable surface area allows solar panels to be fitted correctly on your roof, assisting you in reaching your solar aims while also complying with building requirements. For example, most building rules mandate open roof access and ventilation to clear smoke, gases, and heat in the event of a fire.
During your project, your solar expert will handle these specifics.
What type of roofing material do you have on your house?
Asphalt roof shingles, for example, are great surfaces for supporting solar panels since they are sturdy and lasting.
Solar panels are only suitable for some roof types. For example, flat roofs consisting of tar and gravel are not appropriate for solar panel installation.
How old is your roof?
Before beginning solar panel installation, asphalt shingle roofs should be ten years old or fewer and in good shape.
If your roof is more than ten years old, you should get it inspected to see if it is still in good enough condition for solar panel installation. Repairing or repairing your roof before installing solar panels will help you avoid having the solar arrays removed and replaced.
Is your roof in good condition?
A roofing professional will assess your roof and attic for potential damage symptoms, such as leaks, and adequate ventilation during a roof inspection.
Other roofing components (such as underlayment, vents, or flashing) may need to be replaced in addition to damaged shingles. It is always preferable to repair or replace these elements before beginning solar installation.
Is your roof decking and structure in good condition?
To avoid removing and reinstalling solar panels to remedy a roof-related problem, the roof decking and overall structure should be in good condition before installing solar panels.
Learn more: Synthetic vs. Felt Roofing Underlayment: What’s the Difference?