Congratulations on your first step towards energy independence!
What comes next? A site survey to assess the quality of your roof!
Many people don’t question the quality of their roof unless a leak happens or something falls on it. As a solar system weighs several hundred pounds, assessing your roof for structural integrity and life span is of the utmost importance.
Here are the top 4 things affecting your roof’s ability to support a solar system.
Your roof’s condition
A strong roof is critical for your rooftop solar system.
Over time, your roof becomes more susceptible to wear and tear from the elements. This is why it’s important to do a yearly check on the status of your roof to check for signs of aging.
The average lifespan of a solar system is 25 years. If your roof is older than 10 years, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional to ensure it is the right fit for solar. This will give you peace of mind that your system is operating well and working in tandem with your roof to provide the service you need.
If there are any concerns the site survey lead can offer a roofing quote or we create a cost for removal and replacement (R&R) when you are ready to replace your roof. Just ask your solar professional if this is something you need!
The type of roof you have
While some companies may shy away from working with certain kinds of roofs, a quality provider can accommodate most roofs. Different racking may need to be used, but most roofs have a solution available. Here are a few roofs that are common across the country:
- Asphalt: With a lifespan of 30 years, it is a popular choice for solar thanks to its affordability and durability. It requires some drilling and mounts to support panels but the installation on this roof type is relatively simple and has moderate costs.
- Metal: A great choice for rooftop solar! It is highly efficient and will keep your house and system cool thanks to its ability to reflect sunlight. Using standing seams to attach the panels will streamline the installation and reduce your overall costs.
- Tile: Tile roofs are super durable and can last over 100 years! They come in different forms like clay, concrete, ceramic or slate and are better suited for warmer climates. However with the right shock, they are prone to cracking and must be handled with care. Installers will need special equipment to properly mount solar panels on a tile roof and may need to replace the tiles altogether to ensure that the system is properly secured. Due to this, your installation could end up being a bit costly.
- Tar & gravel: Tar and gravel roofs are also a fair choice for rooftop solar thanks to their sturdiness and cooling effect from the gravel. The only downside is these types of roofs are very flat and will require additional material to ensure your panels are tilted at the best angle. The process overall is straightforward but a bit pricier given the extra material that is needed for installation.
Sun exposure is key
One of the most important aspects of a solar system is where you get sun during the day and how long it hits different parts of your roof.
The ideal setup for a solar system is for it to be set on the south-facing side of the roof, however east or west-facing will also work.
Your solar expert should be able to provide a shade report while putting together your proposal to make sure that you are getting maximum sun exposure to offset as much of your bill as possible.
Placing your panels on the wrong part of your roof can cause you to lose out on valuable sun generation hours and that can affect your return on investment.
The layout and spacing on your roof
Solar panels take up space so the right roof for solar needs to have lots of empty, usable space.
The more panels you can fit on your roof, the more electricity your system will generate. That’s why the simpler your roof design is, the better. Roofs with lots of slants or hips and valleys may not offer as much usable space as needed to install many panels in one spot.
Yes, panels can be scattered. Even though this could help maximize sun exposure for your system, it could also make your roof look more cluttered and complicate the installation process.
Properly evaluating your roof for solar is a necessary step on your journey to clean energy savings. But once you are ready to go all in with rooftop, reach out to us and our team will provide you with all the info you need.
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Written By Alfreda Adote | Edited By Lauren McGregor