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PREPARING A ROOF FOR SOLAR PANELS

Ohio Exteriors

Roofs are the most common installation location for home solar power systems

Roof-mounted solar panels are a great way to harness the power of the sun and save on your home energy bills. A roof offers an ideal location for solar panels as it typically gets a great deal of sun exposure, which is good for maximizing your home solar energy production. Even on cloudy days, high-efficiency solar panels installed on your roof can generate power in low light as they capture direct and indirect sunlight.

Roof-mounted Solar Panels
When you start your solar project, one of the first questions a consultant will ask is about the age and condition of your roof. If your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, you’ll need to get that work done first before you can have solar panels installed.

Read on to discover why it’s important to address roof-related issues first before getting solar panels installed.

Why Roofs Are a Great Place for Solar Panels
Roofs are the most common installation location for home solar power systems – and for good reason. The more sun exposure panels get, the more solar energy they can produce to help replace power from the grid. An unobstructed roof with slopes toward the sun helps maximize sun exposure and energy production for your home. Roof-mounted solar panels can be installed on your home, as well as on various outbuildings, such as a barn, shed, garage or carport.

A roof on any of these residential structures will be evaluated on several factors to determine suitability for solar panels:
  • Type of roofing shingles (materials) – asphalt, metal, tile, etc.
  • Roof type (style or design) – gable, hip, gambrel, etc.
  • Roof slope and the direction it faces
  • Overall condition
What Type of Roofing Shingles (Materials) are Best for Solar Panels?
Solar panels can be installed on various types of roofing shingles (materials). Asphalt-shingled roofs are a good choice if they’re in good condition and have enough usable surface area.

What Roof Type (Style or Design) is Best for Solar Panels?
Solar panels can be installed on almost any roof style with a few exceptions. The roof on your home, garage, shed, or barn could all be potential candidates for roof-mounted solar panels. Whether it’s a gable, hip, or a combination roof, a solar installer can figure out the best way to mount panels.

Solar engineers and installers can split up solar arrays into multiple sections to follow the rooflines and work around roof components, such as skylights, box vents, or pipe boots.

What Roof Slope is Best for Solar Panels?
To maximize sun exposure, a residential roof-mounted solar system should be at an angle equal to the latitude of their install location, but this isn’t always possible.

A roof slope that angles between 15-40 degrees should suffice for most solar power systems. Individual solar panels can also be adjusted to an optimal angle that maximizes their sun exposure.

Your solar panel installers can help determine if your roof slope is suitable for solar panel installation.

What Roof Slope Orientation is Best for Solar Panels?
Another factor that has an impact on solar panel power production is the direction or orientation of the roof slope where the solar panels are installed.

In the Northern Hemisphere (all U.S. locations), the general guidance is for solar panels to face south because south-facing sides of roofs get the most sunlight during the day.

Is Your Roof Solar-Ready?
While almost any home can accommodate solar panel installations, there are some questions you should ask about your roof before you start a solar project.

Take care of your roof first so you don’t have to slow down, or press pause on your solar installation.

What is the Square Footage of Your Roof?
Roof size matters when it comes to solar. Your roof may need to meet a minimum requirement of usable surface area to have solar panels installed.

The minimum usable surface area allows solar panels to be correctly installed on your roof, helping you to meet your solar goals and comply with building codes. Most building codes require pathways of open roof area for access and ventilation to clear smoke, fumes, and heat in a fire. Your solar consultant will address these details during your project. 

What type of roofing material do you have on your house?
Roofing materials that are strong and durable, such as asphalt roof shingles, make excellent surfaces for supporting solar panels.

Not all roof types qualify for solar panels. For example, flat roofs made of tar and gravel are not suitable for solar panel installation.

How old is your roof?
A general guideline is asphalt shingle roofs should be 10 years old or less and in good condition before beginning solar panel installation. If your roof is over 10 years old, then you may want to schedule a roof inspection to see if it’s still in good enough condition for solar panel installation. Repairing or replacing your roof before having solar panels installed can help you avoid the need to have the solar arrays removed and then reinstalled.

Is your roof in good condition?
During a roof inspection, a roofing contractor will check your roof and attic for potential signs of damage, such as leaks, as well as for proper ventilation. In addition to damaged shingles, other roofing components (such as underlayment, vents, or flashing) may also need to be replaced. It’s always best to repair or replace these items before solar installation begins.

Is your roof decking and structure in good condition?
The roof decking and overall structure should be in good condition before installing solar panels to avoid the need to remove and reinstall solar panels to fix a roof-related problem.

Next Steps to Reach Your Solar Goals
If you need to replace or repair your roof before getting solar panels installed, CALL US FOR AN ESTIMATE. 

Once your roof is in good condition, you can explore the best solar panel options for your home knowing that your roof is ready. SunPower® can help you create a solar plan that’s best for your home based on its energy needs, location, roof size, and slope to help you reach your solar goals.


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