Pros Of Rooftop Solar Panel Placement
Placing solar panels on your roof is advantageous because it gives the most access to sunlight. In addition, because solar energy is required for panels to generate power in the first place, it makes sense to place the panels closest to the sky.
Plus, having solar panels installed on the roof typically results in less shading. If you were to place solar systems on the ground, trees, your home, and other items could diminish access to sunlight, resulting in less energy received and electricity produced.
Depending on how your roof is angled, you might be in good shape to lower your carbon footprint and utilize solar power without dealing with the eyesore of panels. Major plus!
Things You Need To Consider To Install Solar Panels On Rooftop
Before installing solar panel systems, there are a few things you need to check out, and these include:
The Structure of your Roof
Make sure that your roof is in good condition before you install solar panel on roof areas. Manufacturers specifically design their solar panels to work for many years generally speaking, they can be of service for 25 years. This is why your roof should be incredibly durable.
Fix your damaged roof before you mount the solar panels. Unquestionably, fixing the damage early on will save you the additional expenses and hassle of lifting the panels and re-attaching them after fixing the roof.
Note that there are different types of roofs however, the most common among them is the asphalt shingle roof.
The Location of your House
For example, do you have growing fruit-bearing trees that could block your solar panels? Remove anything that could block the solar panels from absorbing full sunlight.
The gist here is that you need to ensure your panels location allows sunlight absorption.
The Strength of your Roof
Is your roof solid enough to support the additional weight of solar panels? Solar panels arent bulky in general, they weigh up to 2.7 lbs. for every square foot.
Regardless, consider having a structural engineer inspect your roof so that you can ensure it suits your panels.
How To Install Solar Panels Yourself: Step By Step
Youll practically have no problems setting up a solar power system if you know your way around electricity. However, before you jump into DIYing a solar roof installation, you should consult with a qualified solar panel installer and an electrician, no matter your expertise level. After all, meddling with wires can be deadly. Roofs, too.
Don’t Miss: How To File A Roof Claim
Handy Tips When Installing Solar Panels On Asphalt Roof
It is hard not to get excited about installing solar panels on your house when you are eco-friendly. But do not let all that excitement get the best of youit is essential to follow some basic steps before you even think about going up on your roof and drilling holes in it. There are numerous factors that can prevent a solar panel installation from working correctly, including the angle of the sun at your location, the type of roofing material, and whether or not there is an attic above where the panels will be installed. These tips will help ensure that you do not run into any problems.
What Other Factors Affect The Cost Of Solar Panels
There are a number of other factors that can affect solar panel costs, such as the type of system you choose and the amount of electricity you use. The most important factor to consider is the price per watt of solar power.
This is the amount of money you will pay for each unit of solar power generated. The price per watt varies depending on the type and size of the solar panel, as well as the efficiency of the panel.
How many panels you can fit on your roof
The number of panels installed will vary due to the amount of energy you require and the size of your roof space. We will be able to advise you on the best system for your needs and give you an accurate quote.
If you need scaffolding to reach your roof, this will add to the overall cost of solar panel installation. The price of scaffolding varies depending on the height and size of your property. But the average scaffold will cost between £500 £700
How much are micro inverters?
Micro inverters are used to convert the DC solar power into useable AC power. They are an important part of solar panel systems, but they can add to the overall cost. Micro inverters typically cost between £100 and £200 each.
Micro inverters are used to convert the DC solar power into useable AC power. They can help your system produce more energy in shaded conditions.
how much do ground-mounted solar panels cost UK?
How much does it cost to install solar panels for a business?
Don’t Miss: How Often Should A Roof Be Replaced
Giving You Room To Grow
If youre installing on your roof, chances are youve got limited space to make the most efficient array possible. Should your energy needs change in the future, it could be challenging to add more panels to your current system.
When you go ground-mount, youre under no such restriction assuming you have the space in your yard. You can expand your array after the initial installation, and many ground mount racking options allow you to bolt on new additions easily.
This means if you add on to your property and require more power, or if you find that your initial power supply just isnt cutting it, you can add more panels as needed with minimum fuss.
Ensure Rails Are Parallel
The rails are what will keep your solar panels on track. Make sure your upper and lower rails are parallel by measuring the diagonal distance between the two rails.
Begin at the top of the upper rail and measure to the bottom of the other rail. Measure this on both sides, almost like you are creating an imaginary X between the two rails.
If the two measurements are equal, your rails are parallel. If not, you need to adjust them to make them parallel.
Place the middle rail after you confirm that the two outer rails are parallel. This middle rail should be in alignment with the other two.
You May Like: How To Find Hail Damage On Roof
How Much Are You Looking To Spend Upfront
A ground-mount racking system requires more labor and parts to install it. You may need to partner with a contractor to get the job done, and the permitting process will be lengthier and more expensive.
But consider this: once the panels are installed, the upfront cost will be offset down the line by a more efficient energy output. Theres also less cost and hassle involved if you have to remove the panels for re-roofing.
Youll shell out a bit more cash at the start, but the effort will pay for itself over time.
Whats The Difference Between Buying And Leasing
Theres a big difference between leasing and buying solar panels. Leasing solar panels is like renting them. Youll be paying a monthly cost to have them on your home without ever truly owning them.
Buying solar panels may often require a loan to which you will have a monthly payment, but that loan will eventually go away, and youll own the panels and all of the energy savings they bring. When speaking to a solar representative, talk through the benefits of both leasing and buying so that you can decide whats right for you.
Also Check: What Is Peel And Stick Roofing
We Only Use Chemically And Mechanically Certified Raw Material
Certified quality begins with certified raw material, followed by certified manufacturing and certified testing for holding strength and other product characteristics.
Our roof clamps use non-corrosivematerials and are metallurgically compatible with all common roof materials including titanium-zinc, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, galvanized steel, Bonderized steel, CorTen steel, and 55% AlZn coated steel .
Most clamps are made from high-tensile aluminum. All fasteners and mating hardware are A2-70 stainless steel. We also offer several stainless-steel clamp models and brass for copper roofing.
Image source: Unirac
The Unirac Ground Fixed Tilt is another great choice it is durable and lightweight and also has a 25-year warranty. Unirac ensures fast shipping times and ease of construction. You can work with a licensed solar installer to determine which ground mount system is best for your terrain and solar panels.
Picking Our Solar And Batteries
For our solar setup, we went with the Renogy 400-watt starter kit with the 40A MPPT controller. This kit comes with just about everything you need except for the batteries, and for those we picked up a pair of VMAX 155ah deep cycle batteries.
This is more solar that many people get, but we figure that its better than running out of juice in the middle of the woods. We know were going to need electricity to work, it fits within our budget, and we would rather not have to worry about it if we dont have to.
If youre looking for a smaller system, Renogy offers 100-watt and 200-watt kits, and VMAX also has smaller battery sizes.
All of this stuff arrived at our house in five large, heavy boxes from Amazon. The UPS guy probably hates us by now. Unpacking everything was a lot of fun, but then we had to figure out the best way to mount solar panels on our fiberglass van roof.
You May Like: How Long Does Elastomeric Roof Coating Last
What Kind Of Soil Do You Have
If your property is on bedrock or if you know the soil is going to be really difficult to dig into, you might want to put the panels on your roof. Hard soil can make installation costs for ground-mount systems skyrocket. Its not impossible, but youll need to rent heavy-duty equipment to drill into the ground.
There are also a few workarounds with ground-mount options to keep the digging to a minimum. A ballasted system might be a good solution. Learn more about the different racking options available in our article covering frequently asked questions about ground-mount racking systems.
Aesthetic Appeal Of The Solar Panels On Your Homes Rooftop
Solar panels installed on asphalt roofs will help improve the look of your house. The black frames and glossy surface of the panels add to the houses beauty while at the same time giving it a modern and contemporary look. This is particularly important if you want to sell your house to a buyer who wants a solar-powered home.
Also Check: How To Get Leaves Off Roof Without Getting On Roof
Solar Panels Ground Mounted
If installing solar panels on your roof is not an option, consider mounting them on the ground. If you have an open space, solar panels that are ground mounted might be your best option. The benefits of having solar panels ground mounted are that they can face any direction and they are easier to install. They are not constrained by the makeup of your roof!
Incentives To Install Solar Panels On Community Roofs
In 2020, UNEF made some recommendations to facilitate the installation of solar panels on community roofs. Among them, the following stand out:
- Eliminate the need for prior approval by the Board of Owners for photovoltaic installations for terraces for exclusive private use.
- Grant the status of private asset to the photovoltaic installation if self-consumption is limited only to homes, and of community asset if self-consumption is limited exclusively to communal areas.
- Facilitate the shared and proportional payment of the costs of the photovoltaic installation between all the owners and the Community itself.
- Facilitate the possibility of new participants joining the collective self-consumption system by paying the corresponding proportional share to the private group.
Furthermore, some autonomous communities promote the installation of solar panels in neighbouring communities through financial aid. In the case of the Valencian Community, this subsidy can be as much as 45%, with a maximum subsidy of 100,000.
Also Check: How Much To Replace Roof Shingles
Added Insulation & Protection
One unexpected benefit to a roof-mounted system worth mentioning is that it protects the roof from degrading elements like UV light, wind, rain, and snow. It will also keep your structure more insulated. If youre living off-grid, this can be a nice way to keep the house naturally warmer at night and cooler in the daytime.
According to this article from Earth Sky, students at UC San Diego found that solar panels kept the roof an average of 5° Fahrenheit cooler than an exposed rooftop, which saved the building an average of 5% on cooling costs. Those savings are on top of what youll save on your energy bill anyway by going solar.
Are You Aware Of The Tax Incentives And Rebates
One of the best benefits youll receive by installing solar are the tax incentives and rebates from local power companies. At Sun Badger, we lay out these incentives as part of the payment plan for your solar panels. The money you save in taxes can go right towards your solar loan and help you pay it off it faster!
Power companies often offer rebates that encourage homeowners to install solar energy systems. Wed be happy to help you research and find more details on what your local power company is doing to make solar energy more affordable. Reach out to us today to get started!
Recommended Reading: How To Install Roll Roofing On A Mobile Home
Types Of Solar Power For The Home
There are a few ways in which you can generate power for your home through installing solar panels. It is important to understand your options in order to correctly set up your system and start benefitting from solar power. If you need more help deciding on the best option for your home, get in touch with a contractor. They will provide the additional information you need.
In general, there are three main types of solar power for the home. These include:
Avoid Common Mistakes People Make When Installing Solar
Solar panels effectively produce electricity for a period of 25 years from the day of installation. However, solar panels should be installed properly to churn out the benefits in the long run.
There are 5 major common mistakes generally Solar Installers happen.
Read Also: Where To Buy Roof Tiles
Things You Should Know Before Putting Solar Panels On Your Roof
Save yourself from making an expensive mistake!
There are more than just a few things you should know before putting solar panels on your roof. Putting solar panels on your roof isnt too complex of a task, but there is a fairly small margin for error which can result in some very expensive repairs. This is why professionals are required to install solar panels to your home correctly.
Lets break down what you need to know before deciding on whether or not to put solar panels on your roof.
Solar Roof Tiles Vs Solar Panels
There are many ways to install a photovoltaic solar system, but the most common way is to put solar panels on a roof, nice and high where the panels can avoid shade. That inevitably got people thinking: What if the roof itself could be incorporated into PV solar? What if we had solar roof tiles?
Those products came on the market in 2005, and they have many similarities to solar panels. In fact, technologically they’re just mini solar panels. The big difference is that solar shingles – also called “building integrated photovoltaics” or BIPV – are solar panels that look like shingles so they blend in like a normal roof.
And just like solar panels, solar shingles can cut costs on energy bills. While solar shingles are an exciting technology, customers weighing how to go solar have several things to think about:
Recommended Reading: How To Measure Roof For Shingles From Ground
How To Install Solar Panels On An Asphalt Roof: A Comprehensive Guide
by Aaron Davis | Apr 27, 2022 | Blog
One of the best ways to increase the value of your home is by installing solar panels. Energy prices continue to grow every year, and in many cases, that can make it difficult for homeowners to keep up with their monthly bills. Installing solar panels allows you to save a lot of money over the years while also turning your home into a greener place compared to other homes that do not have solar panels installed.
However, if you have an asphalt shingle roof, it can seem like an impossible challenge that only a few companies are equipped to handle because you do not know how to install solar panels on an asphalt roof. Getting those solar panels installed onto your asphalt roof can give you the ability to save hundreds of dollars every year. Still, it is essential to know that the installation process is slightly different for this type of roof.
This article will cover all the reasons and benefits of installing solar panel arrays on asphalt rooftops. While, in theory, it may sound absurd to place solar panels meant for outside mounted on top of roofing material, you might be surprised to know that tons of benefits come with such a decision. However, before we get into those, let us discuss the benefits of installing solar panels on an asphalt roof.
