Know Which Direction Your Roof Is Facing
If you want to get the quality amount of sunlight, you need to know where your roof is facing. You need to determine where to put the solar panels to get the best source of sunlight and have good placement for it.
Most professionals say that your roof should be facing the South with 180-195 degrees orientation to receive the most amount of sunlight for your panels. Learn more about how solar panels work to better understand its benefits.
The Condition Of Your Roof
Does your roof need to be replaced just because youre switching to solar? Well, not really. But if you look at it more logically, its better to assess the condition of your roof before you make any decisions.
Itll save you a whole lot of trouble and money.
As long as there is enough sunlight and space, solar panels can be installed on almost any roof. The average solar panel weighs around 40 lbs.
However, if your roof is too weak or damaged, it may end up slumping under the weight of the panels.
Your roof may seem like just a collection of shingles and tiles, but the structure is way more complicated than that. Your roof is made up of multiple layers that all help insulate and cover your house.
Generally, a typical roof is made of:
- Roof truss
- Shingles or tiles
- Wooden frame
If any of these components are damaged, it will affect the whole structure of your roof. So, how does one know if the roof is damaged?
The signs are all there on your roof, you just need to look for them.
Does Installing Solar Panels Affect My Roof Warranty
So, weve established that as long as theyre installed correctly solar panels can actually have a beneficial effect on your roof, but you may still be wondering about whether installing solar panels could void your roofs warranty. That is an important thing to consider.
The answer is simple in some cases. Mounting systems that do not penetrate your roof, which includes ballasted racking and roof clamp racking, will not have an effect on your roofs warranty. For penetrating systems, you should take a couple important steps in order to make sure you dont void your roofs warranty:
- Talk to Your Roofer: You should inform your original roofing contractor of your plans to install solar panels and ask about whether this will have any impact on your warranty. In some cases, to protect your warranty, you may need your roofer to prepare your roof for the installation process by removing shingles or tiles where mounts will go. This will require your roofer to coordinate with the contractor installing your panels.
- Hire a Qualified Contractor: Even if your roofer helps to prep your roof, it is still vital that contractors installing your solar panels have the experience and expertise to do a quality job and avoid damaging your roof in any way. Even denting your roof slightly could void your warranty since this can have a long-term effect on your roofs effectiveness. Ask your contracting company if it can guarantee your roof wont be damaged, keeping your warranty intact.
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Consider The Type Of Your Roof
Is your roof made out of shingles, clay, or slate? Make sure to inspect your roofs first before installing a solar panel.
Solar panels work best with shingles as they are the most popular and easiest type of roof that a solar panel can be attached to. Clay or slate roofs tend to break thats why it is not advisable for solar panels to be put onto.
You really need to be extra careful when you have a clay or slate roof. Inquire for the help of a roof expert if you want to get your roof check for it to be compatible for solar panel installation.
Who Said You Had To Put Panels On Your Roof
In-Roof Solar PV mounting.You can set your PV panels flush with the roof, replacing sections of your roof fabric. In-roof systems typically add around 10% to the installation costs. These costs can be offset against the reduced need for roof fabric. Performance is typically lower by around 5% due to reduced ventilation. Trying to work out the pros and cons of these systems can be very tricky and often puts people off. However, our specialist PV Sol software accurately calculates the performance comparing it to all other systems.
In-Roof Solar PV is becoming increasing popular. If youre planning a new build, it really should be one of the first options you consider. In-Roof Solar Panels can reduce the cost of roofers and slates/tiles while looking like they were meant to be there all along. And with new heat recovery technology on the market, they can also help to reduce your heating bills. See the video here.
Looks
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There Is A Higher Risk Of Water Leakage On Flat Roofs
Water pooling is common on flat roofs. Since it is flat, the water does not have anywhere to go but down. Moreover, adding solar panels will give you a higher risk of water leakage if you donât prepare for it properly.
If you are considering the attached type of installation, you need to make sure that your installer is working on it professionally. They have to strictly adhere to the racking manufacturer standards. They need to make sure all holes are properly sealed with chemicals for waterproofing.
Benefits Of Having Solar Panels
Purchasing and installing solar panels isnt a small task. Homeowners can expect to spend several thousand dollars on upgrading their homes with solar power sources.
But the benefits of having solar panels far outweigh the initial costs, especially over time. Some of the most notable of these benefits include:
- Reduced electricity bills each month
- Less dependence on the local power company
- Increased property value
Additionally, if your home creates more energy than it consumes, the local power company may end up owing you money! As such, choosing to switch to solar energy is often financially and ecologically beneficial.
Even if you plan on moving out of your current home within the next several years, you may want to consider installing solar panels. Thats because solar power can significantly increase a homes overall value.
You may also be able to take advantage of solar energy incentives and rebates. Occasionally, homeowners see a complete financial return on their solar investments thanks to these helpful programs.
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Are Solar Shingles Better Than Solar Panels
The main reason why people are more interested in solar shingles than solar panels is that shingles look more aesthetically pleasing. They definitely give your roof a nicer look, but are they really better than traditional solar panels? Lets assess the situation:
Pros:
- Have a higher home value
Cons:
- Less efficient in comparison to conventional panels
- Higher module temperatures
- Only a few contractors offer this option
It is apparent that solar shingles have quite a few drawbacks.
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If You Want A Greener Environment For Your Roofs Residential Solar Panels Are Definitely The One For You
Solar Panels obtains direct energy from the Sun causing less pollution as it replaces fossil fuels. Putting up Solar Panels to your roof is a great way towards preventing climate change.
If you want to help change the world in your own little ways with a few costs that are worth a long time, consider a Solar Panel Installation now!
But before installing one, here are some Roof Requirements for Solar Panels you need to check:
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How Are Solar Panels Installed On A Slate Roof
The process for installing solar panels on slate roof is pretty much identical to installing on tiles. You should open up the roof and fix your brackets onto an exposed rafter. These are your roof anchor positions.
The removed tiles should then be cut around the positioning of the brackets. To ensure the roof is weatherproofed, a SolarFlash kit should be used. First, position the foam to the bracket drop then position the SolarFlash in the correct position. The remaining slates should then be repositioned, securing with a HallHook where neccessary Position the Hallhook between the slates. Use the nail hole that positions the bottom hook at least 10mm up from the finished slate line. Slide object slate into position then using the hookpull, pull firmly until the Hallhook locates the base of the object slate.
Full installation instructions for our SolarFlash products can be viewed here
Solar Panels Work On Many Different Property And Roof Types
Regardless of what kind of roof is over your head tiled, flat, wooden, and others a solar energy installation can help you save money on electricity bills. Especially with unique roof materials and shapes, its always a good idea to get multiple quotes from reputable, experienced installers. The best way to find and compare quotes from solar companies near you is by registering your property on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace. When you join, youll indicate the location of your property on satellite imagery so that installers can provide custom quotes given the size and material of your roof. You can also leave a note in your profile indicating your roof material type after joining.
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Suntegra Tile And Shingle
SunTegra offers its clients two solar products solar shingles and solar tiles. The former can be installed on top of your existing roof, while the latter serves as a replacement for concrete tiles. Since they dont offer a non-photovoltaic option, they are integrated with conventional shingles and tiles.
An interesting feature on the Shingles is the air channels that are attached to the back of the panels to keep them cooler.
This feature is unique to SunTegra and improves the efficiency of the shingles. Furthermore, theyre very low profile and are easy to integrate into your existing roof.
Moreover, SunTegra panels have monocrystalline cells and a peak output of 100-110 watts. They come with a 25-year power warranty and a 10-year product warranty.
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What Considerations Need To Be Made For The Wind With Flat Roof Solar Panels
High winds can pose a potential risk to flat roof mounted solar systems. However, there are a number of options you can use to counter this. There are two methods that are most frequently used to protect a solar system. These are fixing panels to the structure or adding weight to them.
The latter involves fitting ballast frames and heavy slabs to the roof before attaching the solar panels to them. The former, fixing the panels to the structure, involves penetrating the actual roof and securing a support structure and brackets, which the solar panels are attached to. This is a more intrusive method, but some feel that it keeps the array more secure.
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Different Ways To Replace Your Roof With Solar Panels
If youre already considering re-roofing might as well looking into solar shingles or building photovoltaics .
Offered by companies like Tesla and Certainteed, solar shingles replace the roofing material, so youre literally replacing your roof with solar panels.
While it may seem like youre getting a free roof with solar panels, this isnt the case since solar singles have a high price tag in comparison to other rooftop solar panels.
Well be discussing different companies that manufacture shingles, along with their general pros and cons.
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What Kind Of Roof Materials Are There And How Are They Different For Mounting Solar Panels
If you have a house in Australia, you probably have either a tile roof, a slate or shingle roof, or a corrugated metal roof. Tiles are hard and held together by a combination of mounting hooks and gravitylike a jigsaw puzzle. It is possible to take broken tiles out to replace them, sometimes without any special tools. Shingles and slates, on the other hand, typically have holes in them and are nailed onto the roof substrate. In both cases, they overlap each other so that water does not penetrate the building as rain falls. Corrugated metal roofs are composed of comparably large sheets that usually overlap each other, or may be one large piece. In mounting a PV system on any of these types of roofs, it is important to ensure that no gaps are left in the roof that may later result in leakage.
Mounting a solar array on all of the above types of roof is possible and in fact quite standard practice for solar power system installers, as many installations are retrofit onto the roofs of old homes.
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What About My Roof Pitch
Although it is a less significant factor than azimuth, the angle or pitch of a roof should also be considered. For a roof in the Northeast, because of the suns position through the year, the ideal angle for maximum electricity production on a South-facing roof is 36 degrees. However, almost any angle can work, even a flat roof. Again, the difference is your level of production.
In fact, a steeper roof is not always better for solar. For example, if you put solar on a West facing roof a lower pitch is better because more morning sun reaches over the peak than with a higher pitch. Thats why I noted above that even a North facing roof could work if it was nearly flat.
And for those craving more detail on pitch and to talk the talk of construction experts heres how angles translate into roof pitch:
Installing Solar Panels On Different Roof Types
If youre considering installing a residential or commercial solar panel system, you might be wondering if your roof type is appropriate for a solar installation. The good news is that solar panels can be installed on just about any roof type, but the installation process and mounting hardware might vary from material to material. In this article, well explore the many types of roofs solar panels can be installed on and how each has a unique installation process.
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How To Check The Condition Of Your Roof
Hold on a second. Dont climb up that ladder just yet. There are few things you can check without bringing the ladder out from your garage. First, inspect from inside the attic and ceiling walls for any leaks or stains.
If your electricity bill has recently gone up, chances it may have been caused by excessive ventilation.
Some of the common ways roofs get damaged are:
- Broken or Loose Tiles
- Damage to the Structure
- Worn Down Materials
Do look around to see if you can find any of these damages on your roof. If you spot one, a roof inspection by a professional might be a good option.
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Types Of Mounting Systems For Roof
Universtal mounts:
The most common way to mount systems to first install brackets, the shape and size of which will vary with the mounting system manufacturer, but which will look something like the L-mounts pictured below. In the case of tile, slate, and shingled roofs, this may require cutting precise holes in the roof material for the mounting brackets to protrude from, while on corrugated roofs, the brackets will Rails are then fitted onto the mounts, which have been spaced appropriately apart so that the panels can be fitted flush together, side by side on the same set of rails. This is the most typical system for small- to medium-sized arrays, although flush mounts which support individual panels may also be used if the array is only composed of one or two panels. If you need to adjust the tilt angle of your array because the tilt angle of the roof is less than ideal, it is possible to do this with a universal mount by increasing the height of the rail higher up on the roof.
Roof-integrated photovoltaics:
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Replacing Your Roof With Solar Panels: What Are Your Options
Have you finally decided to switch to solar with your home? Not only are solar panels environmentally friendly, but you can also save on your electricity bill.
You might be wondering about the options you have when replacing roof with solar panels. Were here to help you figure it all out.
There are a few things that you need to take into consideration before you go on to replace your roof with solar panels. Assess the condition of your roof, look into the different solar options, and dont forget to do a proper cost analysis beforehand.
This may seem like a lot, but dont stress out. Well run you through the details, step by step.
Mounting Solar Panels On Slate Roofs
Homes and structures covered with slate are typically pitched and not flat. The degree and style of roof pitch depends on the architectural effect targeted. Solar panel racking and mounting systems are designed with this in mind.
Southern Light Solar follows best practices both in selecting and installing solar panel mounting and racking hardware on slate roofs. By designing with components from reputable and proven manufacturers such as IronRidge, among others, we are assuring our customers that years of experience is working for them.
More than choosing the best mounting hardware, a good installer must establish a dependable practice to install and fasten everything for years of reliable service.
A few special conditions apply for slate materials:
- Use effective techniques to locate rafters below the asphalt shingles and underlayment.
- Use extreme caution when removing a slate tile for anchoring hardware.
- Follow roofing council guidelines that ensure anchor bolts are properly placed including drilling and creating pilot holes when needed.
- Size and install flashing following unique protocol. Each piece of flashing will be replacing a slate tile and needs to have equally dependable longevity.
- Use the highest integrity sealing materials and methods.
- NEVER drill through slate.
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