Solar panels remain one of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint and save on monthly energy bills. Once installed, they provide a virtually free source of power and take little effort to maintain. They even work on cloudy days. If solar power is right for your home, learn how to tell if your roof is a candidate.
Age
How old is your roof? Shingle roofs typically last 20 to 25 years, while metal options last 50 to 75 years or more. If your roof is nearing the end of its working life, getting it replaced is highly recommended before installing solar panels. The panels last up to 30 years and will “outlive” your roof, resulting in painstaking removal and re-installation.
Sun Exposure
Is your roof exposed to the searing sun for most of the day, or is it almost always enveloped by shade? While solar panels still work when it’s overcast, they are at maximum power in direct sunlight. If your roof does not receive a lot of sunlight, you may want to install solar panels on another section of your property that gets continually hit with UV rays. You can also trim tree branches if towering woody perennials are the main reason for shade.
Material
What type of material does your roof feature? Composite shingles are among the best roofing materials for solar panel installation not only because they are durable and versatile, but because of how easy it is to add mounting materials. Tile roofs can also handle solar panels; however, the installation is a bit more complex. The panels must be raised and attached to the roof via brackets, which gets expensive. The tile material, such as clay or concrete, also plays a role in the cost.
Tar and gravel roofs are also solar panel candidates, but the brackets must be tilted because these roofs are usually flat. However, the installation process is fairly simple and straightforward. Wood roofing materials are the least conducive to solar panel installation because of the fire hazard they present.
The best roofing material for solar panels is metal with standing seams. Panels attach effortlessly to the seams, and since metal roofs last up to 75 years, there is no risk of having to replace the roof before the panels wear out.
If your roof is right for solar panel installation or you want them installed anywhere else on your property, contact Precise Air Systems today.
