Many people look for ways to lower their energy bills. Solar panels placed on the roofs of homes and businesses can allow people to harness the sunlight and convert it to electricity that can be used to power their buildings while being able to sell the extra electricity back to the utility company’s grid. If you are considering placing solar panels on your roof, it’s important to learn about the benefits and how to prep your roof for installation.
Benefits of Solar Panels on Roofs
A roof can make a great location for a solar panel. Since the panels will sit at the top of the home, it will have access to both direct and indirect sunlight for the entire day. Typically, there will be no obstacles that will obscure the solar panels, such as smaller buildings, bushes, and trees. It can also be protected more from accidents that could damage the panels if they were placed close to the ground. Before installing the panels, keep the following factors in mind.
How Old is the Roof?
The age of the roof can have a significant impact on your solar panels. If you install new panels over roofing materials that have experienced significant damage or decay, the panels may cause further damage or deterioration. The panels may shift, become loosened, or fall off the roof. The installation itself may cause damage to where the roof can leak. You also don’t want to install panels on the roof if you plan to have a roof replacement done soon. Newer roofs and roofs in good condition should be used for new solar panel installation.
What is the Roof’s Square Footage?
When roof panels are installed, many building codes require that there also be enough open roof space. This open roof space allows for access to perform repairs and allow for ventilation. If there is a fire, the ventilation can allow smoke and heat to escape. You want to check the square footage of the roof to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate the roof panels while still allowing open roof space.
What Are the Roof Materials?
The materials used for the roof may hamper how the solar panels are installed. Asphalt roofs are a great option if you want to install solar, as the materials allow for the fastening of the panels to the roof. Other roof materials may not be able to handle the weight or the fasteners that are required for the solar panels. For example, a flat tar and gravel roof, often used for commercial buildings, would not be a suitable material for this type of installation.
There are many advantages to going solar to power your home or commercial building. However, you want to ensure that the roof can support the panels and that is it in good condition. Here at Brandstetter’s KangaRoof, we can perform a thorough roof inspection to ensure you have the right roof materials and can spot any possible roof issues that could hamper the panel installation process. Contact us today to learn more.
