If you live in an area known for getting a lot of sun and you want to save on your energy costs, a solar roof might be the answer to a variety of your questions. Over time, you’ll end up saving money on energy bills, and investing in solar energy shows that you are committed to green energy. If you have a business, this can attract the type of customers you’re looking for.
Homeowners and business owners who install solar panels are looking for energy savings and a way to influence the way the building is heated and cooled and provides power to the various appliances, lights, and other things that operate on electricity.
However, to install and use solar panels, you must ensure that your roof can handle them. Following, we will look at some of the most important things that must be addressed before you equip your home or building with solar panels.
Ensure the Roof Can Support the Additional Weight
A solar panel system can be pretty heavy. Each panel can impose at least 40 pounds of additional weight on your roof. In addition to the panels themselves, there is the mounting hardware. To provide the electricity, you need to keep your home/building heated/cooled, lit, and use other appliances; you’ll need a dozen or so solar panels installed.
This additional weight will be significant, and you can’t risk damage to your structure if the weight is too much.
In addition, you must make sure that the current configuration of the roof can support the installation parameters the solar panels require. By taking the time to evaluate your roof, you can determine whether installing them will hinder the other functions of the roof, primarily to keep the interior of the building comfortable.
You will need to engage the services of a licensed roofing contractor familiar with the codes/conditions in your area. Any issues relating to the weight or your roof’s ability to support the panels and still protect your property can be identified. Then a plan created to address the issues can be provided by the roofing company.
Follow the Plan Provided
Once your roof has been inspected, you can then proceed with any necessary repairs and improvements to make the installation of solar panels work. Don’t even consider moving forward with the solar panel installation until all identified issues have been addressed.
The investment of solar panels on your roof is expensive and long-term. Therefore, you want to ensure that the roof is in good repair and will last as long as the panels. Once the solar panels are in place, you should expect them to last a minimum of 25 years.
When you’re considering such a significant upgrade, all damage must be identified and fixed. If the contractor suggested any upgrades, these should be done before you have the solar panels installed. Don’t think you can put off the recommended repairs or ignore what you believe is surface damage.
Again, 25 years is the minimum lifespan for solar panels. They often will still operate for many years beyond that. You want your roof to have at least the same lifespan. You don’t want to end up having to dismantle and reinstall the solar panels a few years in. A solid, sturdy roof will help you avoid that, and you should do everything you can to ensure that.
Exposure to Sunlight
This should be common sense, but your solar panels need to be exposed to the sun to function correctly. There should not be any barriers to roofing materials, building issues, or shade from surrounding trees and buildings. Be sure to work with a reputable roofing contractor and installation professionals to see where these issues might be and avoid them.
If you’re working with an experienced installation company, chances are they’ve seen these issues when installing solar panels before and know how to work around them. Allow them to make suggestions as to what will work best in your situation, they are the professionals after all.
If the reconfiguration of the roof landscape is necessary, a contractor may be able to make some adaptations to make it work. Once the sunlight can reach the solar panels, you can enjoy the benefits of solar energy.
Final Thoughts
These days, many people are opting to go with solar panels to save on their energy bills and avoid releasing new pollution into the air. If you are interested in seeing if your roof can withstand the weight of solar panels, contact A & J Reliable for a FREE inspection.
