Will Solar Panels Affect My Roofing
Its 2022, and roofing trends have moved from the usual single-purpose or double-purposed roofing designs to multi-functional roofs. While back in the day, folks merely treated the roof as protection over our heads and something to complement the overall aesthetics of their homes. Today roofs can be another layer of ones garden, an earth-friendly house temperature regulator, or a source of home electricity.
Speaking of home electricity, many people barely know anything about solar panels. There are even misconceptions, including the idea that they are costly, and that they can affect the quality of your roof.
Solar panels provide an affordable and long-lasting way of generating clean energy. Imagine a world where you can cut your homes carbon emissions by an amount that would equal burning 5,000 pounds of coal every year. And the suns energy is free!
Solar panels not only reduce the carbon footprint, but many homeowners see a surprising reduction in their monthly utility bills too. All while enjoying cleaner air and lower electric rates throughout this process.
What homeowners should consider before putting on a solar panel, therefore, is how the solar panels affect their roof. If there is maintenance involved, will solar panels damage your roof more than the ordinary roofing?
The Impacts On Roof Performance
Because the decision to place solar panels on the roof is often made by professionals who dont have a background in roofing, they may not be aware of the impacts on the roof performance or the difficulties and costs involved when completing maintenance or replacement.
The logistical and legal issues associated with installing solar PV on roofs are also complex. This is particularly true when owners rent their roofs to solar providers. If not clearly defined by contract, conflict can result over safety provisions, lost income when the panels are removed during roof work, or liability in the event of theft, vandalism or damage.
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Membrane manufacturers typically have their own requirements if solar panels are installed. If any array is installed over an existing roof without the contractor or roofing manufacturers permission, your warranty could be nullified.
Lastly, the fire testing of roofs covered with PV panels is far from complete. While roof fires involving PV are rare, they have occurred. Some ballasted systems use plastic components that are far from fire resistant. Polystyrene insulation pads installed under the panels to minimize the risk of damage to the membrane are also cause for concern.
None of these factors means rooftop solar is a lost cause.
Owners and facility managers should simply be aware of the risks and take precautions before investing in an array.
Will Your Panels Be Secure In Severe Weather
Yes, your solar panels will be secure in most severe weather. Solar systems will be designed and installed to withstand winds based on your local code wind loading requirements. Most systems are designed to take winds of 90-120 mph.
Your solar system will have to be installed according to local building codes, which are based on your local weather patterns. These codes will dictate a specific speed of wind that solar systems need to be able to withstand
Partnering with a reputable, well-experienced solar installation company will ensure you get a quality system thats backed for years and even decades. Youll be sure to get a solar system that works properly and safely and generates free electricity for 30+ years.
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How Can Solar Panels Ruin Your Roof
If improperly installed, solar panels can cause some damage to your roof. But, when done properly, solar panels can protect your roof and increase the value of your home. With more people looking to go green nowadays, adding a solar system to your home can add an estimated $9,274 in valuation to your home according to a recent CNBC report.
The takeaway from this article should be that installing a solar system on your roof, if done correctly, will not only help keep your energy costs down but also provide protection for your roof and increase your homes value.
Installing your solar system with Solar Stacks Dont Rack It, Stack It system wont damage your roof or void your roofs warranty. In fact, Solar Stacks mounting method can make your roof last longer by shielding it from temperature extremes and sun damage.
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Preparing Your Roof For Solar Panels
Even before solar panels are installed, you should do a roof inspection to make sure that the roof can support the extra weight. Furthermore, any pooling water, cracks, or damaged shingles need to be taken care of before installing solar panels. Your solar panel installation is not too heavy, but the additional weight demands good support solar panels add approximately 3 lbs of weight per square foot of your roof.
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Do Solar Panels Ruin Your Roof
So, are solar panels bad for your roof? Nope. Solar panels often implement bolts and nails. While these will puncture holes in your shingles, your installer should seal these holes. That is to say that if your panels have been properly installed, you shouldnt have issues. In fact, solar panels are more likely to protect your roof than destroy it. This is because they absorb heat and UV radiation, which deteriorate your roof over time. Its said that solar panels block out so much sun on the roof that your houses internal temperature can drop by up to 5 degrees. This can increase the lifespan of your roof dramatically.
Makes Your Home A Cool Space
The coolness that comes from solar panels is an amazing benefit! One study found they could lower the temperature in your house by 5 degrees. That means youll be able to save more while still enjoying those warm summer days outside with friends and family on their porches or lawns, not sweating buckets because its so hot under all those lights. Collectively cooling homes at night increases our electricity bills but saving just 15 minutes per day can save over 3 million annually .
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Can Solar Panels Protect Your Roof
If you are like a lot of homeowners or house flippers concerned with sustainable energy or renovating your home with a clean energy source that will add value to your home and attract buyers, you have likely considered solar energy. However, in spite of the cost savings on utilities and the step this renewable energy source takes you toward being energy independent and off-grid, you still might wonder if the solar panels will positively or negatively impact your roof.
Your Roof Value May Increase
If you plan to sell your home or business in the future, a solar installation can be a great help. With more people looking to go green more today than ever before, knowing that a property owner has invested in solar power can be a huge advantage. Your roof that was worth $9000 before may now be worth twice that just because you invested in a solar system.
The bottom line is this Having solar panels installed on your roof not only helps you keep your electric bill down and is safer for the environment, but you can significantly increase your overall home value just from having the installation done. Best of all, with modern installation practices, you no longer have to worry about holes, tears and other damage to your roof.
Guest Author: Tom Masters of Shelton Roofing
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Can You Remove Solar Panels From House
In short, removing solar panels is a very demanding process. One that can and will leave some damage on your roof. When the equipment that was originally and properly anchored is then removed, the holes will remain in your roofing material. Furthermore, fading of the roofing material is almost guaranteed.
Can solar panels be removed from a home?
Any solar installer or solar company can remove the panels for you to safely complete the job. Furthermore, installers and solar companies will carry insurance that allows them to cover any damage that occurs in the event of an accident.
How much does it cost to remove solar panels from a house?
The average cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels is about $ 3,750. Solar R& D costs range from $ 1,500 to $ 6,000 in the U.S. for 2020. According to EnergySage, On average, residential installations typically cost somewhere between $ 1,500 and $ 6,000 to remove and reinstall.
Tricks For Solar Panel Maintenance
How do you preserve your roof alongside your new solar panel system? Theres not too much to do. That said, you should check your setup throughout the year to ensure everything functions. If your solar panels are dirty, they wont absorb as much sunlight as a result.
Its best to consult your warranty before cleaning. Manufacturers sometimes void the warranty when the homeowner cleans the solar panels themselves. However, you should generally be okay to give the system some light TLC.
Use your garden hose to spray the solar panels with water. Its best to clean them when theyve cooled down enough, so you should wait until the morning or evening. If you spot grime or dust that water cant remove alone, you can scrub your solar panels with a soapy sponge.
Be sure to have a professional inspect your system about every three or four years. This way, youll know whether you need to make improvements. This expert can also let you know about specific tricks you need to use to maintain your particular setup.
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Install Solar Panels With Help From Solar Alliance
Since solar panels will not damage your roof and can even protect it, consider how powering your home with solar energy may benefit you.
Now that you have an understanding of the installation process and the pros and cons of solar panels on your roof, the next thing to do is look at suitable options, such as the SunBox Solar System.
The financial advantages solar power has the potential to offer you are important considerations when thinking of the next steps for your home improvement. Thats why you should get in touch with Solar Alliance as you embark on your journey to go solar. We provide thorough financial modeling for our solar installations, so you can see upfront the long-term savings and other benefits your solar panels can provide.
Solar Panels Will Damage My Shingles
Do you think the solar panels might damage your shingles? If that is what is stopping you from installing the solar panels, then you need to know that the truth is the opposite.
The solar panels act as a shield for the shingles from UV radiation, heat, and other potential substances that could damage your shingle.
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Common Roofing Types For Solar Panels
No two roofs are the same. Sloped or flat roofs can also be different by the type of material that they are made from. Knowing the material of the roof beforehand and how to approach solar panels and roof as one will help you protect your roof as well as avoid structural damage due to the added weight. Most homeowners can have solar panels installed without additional support, but in some cases, this may be needed. Read on for more on common roofing types for solar panels.
Condition Of The Roof
Your roof should be inspected by professionals before solar panels installed can put extra weight on it. The bearing capacity of any cracks and damage can significantly reduce the lifespan of your roof. Furthermore, if the roof is not in the appropriate shape, the installation process can be dangerous, even if done by professional solar installers.
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The Installation Of Solar Panels
Putting racking and installing solar panels on your roof can alter one of the core parts of your homes structural makeup and, if done incorrectly, your home may be at huge risk.
One big concern would be with the holes needed in your roof in order to secure the racking which will hold the solar panels in place. Its important that the professionals responsible for placing the solar panels on your roof abide by strict safety measures to ensure that your roof stays structurally sound and watertight.
Failure to securely fit the racking can cause water to seep through the holes, causing rot and great damage for your roof and so seriously affecting the structure of your home. To prevent water from getting through the new holes, the bolt fixtures should be surrounded by flashing this is either a metal or plastic shield that slots under the existing roof tiles.
This shield is then further sealed with tar or similar material. Finally, its crucial that the hole where the lag bolt is placed is also filled with a sealant to protect against any potential water seepage. You should hire a professional to assess the quality and layout of your roof to determine whether solar panels are a viable venture.
Solar Will Heat My Roof
The sunlight has direct contact with the roof and the solar panels for more than 8 hours a day. The panels already create a lot of heat and electricity. Dont you think will this extra heat, not heat your roof?
No. The solar does not heat your roof. It takes up all the heat around the panel and makes the roof considerably cooler, even on peak summer days.
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Roofs Can Get Really Hot
If youâve ever stepped barefoot onto a sidewalk on a sunny day, you know how much heat energy a dark surface can absorb in just a few hours. Do the same on something really dark, like an asphalt driveway, and you can easily burn your feet.
Asphalt also happens to be the most popular roofing material in the United States. Made of a base material covered in asphalt and impregnated with stone granules, asphalt shingles are cheap and durable. But those dark shingles are also really great at absorbing the sunâs energy. Studies show that a traditional roof can get blisteringly hot: from 150 to 185°F in the peak of summer.
Itâs not just asphalt shingles, though. Other types of roofing materials, including metal and clay tile, all get hot in the summer sun. The maximum temperature they reach depends on how much heat energy they reflect and emit.
How Can Solar Panels Damage Your Roof
The biggest concern homeowners have about rooftop solar panels is the potential damage they can cause to their roofs. Improperly installed solar panels can increase the risk of water leaks and fire as well as weaken the roofs structure and ability to withstand the elements and bear proper weight. When a roof is damaged or compromised by solar panels, its warranty can be voided.
The most common, efficient, and affordable solar panel installation process involves drilling holes into the roof to secure the roof mount which will secure the solar panels to the roof. Licensed professional solar panel installers will know how to properly drill and fill these holes and take all the necessary precautions to avoid damaging the roof during the installation process. If damage does occur, it is often the result of a prior roof issue that hadnt been fixed.
While the risk of roof damage from solar panel installation is low, improperly drilled or filled holes can cause water to leak into the hole. The additional weight of the solar panels can also put added stress and weaken an already compromised or damaged roof.
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Consider Investing In Solar Panels
You want to find a roofing material durable enough to protect the interior of your home. Solar panels are an excellent choice and can extend the life of your roof. They may be more costly but save you money in the long run. So, consider solar panels for your next roof replacement.
Bio:
Jane is the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co and an environmental writer covering green technology, sustainability and environmental news.
Theres Nowhere Else To Put Solar Panels
The roof is the most common place to put solar panels but its not the only place they can go.
You will find homeowners placing solar panels in other places, such as in their backyard or on secondary structure on their property.
If both of the circumstances below apply to you, then youre out of luck.
- Ground-mounting isnt possible for you: Ground-mounted solar refers to solar panels installed on the ground using special mounts to angle them towards the sun. While this may be an option for farms and ranches, it is rarely feasible in cities and suburbs where there is less open space to work with.
- No other structure available: The last option to consider are buildings like carports or sheds, or backyard structures like gazebos, pergolas and patio covers. If you dont have any of these, or they lack suitable surface areas, it means that youre going to hold off on solar panels for the time being.
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Why Hire A Roofing Contractor For Solar Installation
Installing solar panels can actually lengthen the life of your roof, or the part underneath it. Once you have the panels, it actually absorbs the impact of the rain, sun, wind and other natural phenomena. But there can be dilemmas in the future if your solar company wont check the manufacturers specifications. Thats why its important to choose the right contractor.
Yorkshire Roofing and RoofMax Solar is your best option for solar installation and roofing. We are a premier Bay Area roofing, solar, and insulation contractor in the tri-valley and surrounding areas. With over 10,000 roofs installed, countless gutters and downspouts, insulation, PV Solar, and with over 120 years of combined experience in the solar and roofing industry, our managers and Yorkshire Roofing understand what it takes to install the highest quality roofing system.
Apart from this, we have over 120 years of combined experience in the roofing industry and were here to help you take care of your solar panel system. With Yorkshire Roofing and Roofmax Solar, well be there with you every step of the way. Our services include the following:
- Proper installation of your solar panels, no matter what your roof is
- Get multiple warranties on your solar panels and wont void your roof warranty
- We have licensed and insured roofing and solar contractors
- Get to save a ton on your new roof by getting solar panels at the same time
