Solar panels aren’t heavy. However, they have enough weight to cause damages to brittle roofing materials. Therefore, many solar panel installation teams highly recommend using flat roofs.
Wood and slate roofs are the most incompatible solar panel roofing materials because they’re brittle and foundationally weak. These roofs work well against rains and snowstorms. However, they might break apart because of the added panel pressure.
You can use GI sheets, asphalt shingle, or metal roofs for solar panels because of their solid composition. Single-ply roofing and modified bitumen work well for commercial buildings with solar panels.
It’s wise for property owners to change their aged roofing materials before installing solar panels. By doing this, they synchronize the roof material’s lifespan and performance.
However, material composition and durability are two of the many solar panel installation prerequisites that exist. To find the perfect roof, you’ll need the right solar roofing materials. Learn more about it from Solar.com
Orientation – also known as azimuth – is the direction your roof faces. For North American solar systems, facing directly south (an azimuth of 180 degrees) is ideal. Not having a south-facing roof is not a deal-breaker, however: Many roofs are multi-faceted, and if your roof is mostly west- and east-facing, you’re likely to only see a 10-20 percent reduction in the amount of energy you’re generating.
There’s been an ongoing debate about south-facing vs. west-facing panels over the last couple of years. While south-facing panels will generate the most energy, west-facing panels generate the most energy when demand is highest. That’s why some big proponents, including the California Energy Commission, encourage builders to include some west-facing solar panels in their developments.
In the end, south is best, but west and east are also good; having panels facing south and west will help you generate energy throughout the day.
Shade – Big surprise: Solar panels only work when the sun is shining directly on them. If you’re surrounded by tall trees and your roof and yard are shaded most of the day, your choices are limited to either a) getting out the chainsaw, or b) buying clean energy from a community solar system instead.
Material – What is your roof made of? The most common type of roofing material is asphalt shingles, but solar installers can put panels on just about any of the most common types of roofing materials, including tile, metal, slate and even wood shingle. Some roof types are more difficult to install on than others, and if your roof is made of trickier materials it will add to the cost of your solar installation. (Continued)
If you have yet to find a reliable roofer, you can always count on us at Roper Roofing & Solar. Contact us today to learn more about everything that we can do for you.