What Is The Best Roof For Solar Panels?
The first step in purchasing solar panels is to assess your roof’s suitability for solar panel systems. The roof design is also important if you plan to use solar panels in a new home. There are many styles and materials that can be used to roof, so it is important to understand how they affect solar panels. ESD Solar will provide insight into which the best roof for solar panels. This will ensure that your system is stable and secure, for maximum performance.
Finding The Best Roof For Solar Panels
There are many roof options that work well for solar panels. Here are some of the best.
Mounting Solar Panels On Shingles Roofs
Shingle roofs are the 12 and 20 years. This makes it a great choice for attaching solar cells that you could keep on your roof for many decades.
Mounting Solar Panels On Metal Roofs
Solar panel installation is made easy by metal roofs. Because they don’t require drilling to attach solar panels, a standing seam metal roof will allow for easier attachment. Because there is no drilling required, crew labor and contractors are not needed to be hired. This will save you money on your solar panel installation.
Metal roofs can be great for your home or business if you live in an area that is sunnier or warmer than others. Metal roofing is a popular choice for homeowners due to its long life span. Metal roofs last between 20 and HTML125+. Metal roofs can be noisy in adverse weather and are typically two to three times more costly than other roofing materials. Solar panels can help reduce noise.
Mount Solar Panels On Tile Roofs
A standard penetrating mounting mount can be used to install solar panels on a tile roof. This raises the panels slightly above the roof. Sometimes, it is necessary to cut or remove tiles in order to make way for mounts. Tiles don’t always have the same, uniform shape. This can lead to additional labor costs.
You can make tile shingles from clay, concrete, or slate. Installing solar on clay tiles presents challenges that aren’t present with standard shingle roofs. One is the way you move on the roof. Clay tile is extremely resilient to the elements but not as resilient to installation crews. ESD Solar is responsible for servicing this market. We’re skilled in moving clay roofs and have no need to break tiles.
Although tiled roofs look more appealing because they offer more variety in appearance, they are more expensive than metal and heavier than other roofing materials. They are also more durable and waterproof than other types of roofs.
Tile roofs make up around 80% of Florida’s roofs. However, they are becoming more popular in Central Texas where there is a rising population and changing preferences.
Mounting Solar Panels On Gravel And Tar Roofs
Although most asphalt and gravel roofs are flat, some sloped roofs have tar-and-gravel. However, it is possible to put solar panels on them. To ensure optimal solar energy generation in your home, your solar panel system must be mounted at 30° with tilt bracks.
If you are not familiar with the installation process, it is possible to maneuver around flat roofs to accomplish your work. However, you might still want to hire a labor crew or contractor to mount and orientation your solar panel system.
Many homeowners enjoy tar and gravel rooftops because they’re the most budget-friendly and have a lifespan of about 20-25 years. They are also sealed tightly to prevent cracks or leaks and provide a flat support surface for solar panels.
What Is The Best Roof Angle For Solar Panels?
Solar panels work best on roofs with slopes between 30 and 40 degrees.
Add 15 degrees to your latitude in the Winter and then tilt your solar panel’s system to that number. Subtract 15 degrees to your latitude for the Summer and angle your solar panels accordingly.
Although most roofs are not very steep, solar panels can still produce enough electricity to power your home. The ideal roof angle is 30°. However, if your roof tilts to 40°, it will only reduce your energy generation by 1%.
If you are looking for complete energy independence, a roof that is above 40 degrees might be too steep.
Solar Panels For Flat Roofs
Flat roofs can have solar panels just as easily as sloped roofs. Flat roofs are easier than sloped roofs. This allows for a faster process and reduces the time it takes to install a solar panel.
Flat roof solar installations don’t need the penetration mounts required for sloped roofs to ensure that the panel system is secure. For flat roofs, weighted mounting (also called ballast systems), is an alternative that doesn’t require drilling through your roof. This system uses gravity to ensure that your solar panel system stays stable and secure.
Flat roofs don’t have angles so tilt-up brackets can be used to maintain your system at 30°.
What Is The Best Direction For Solar Panels On Roofs?
South is the best direction to install solar panels. If your roof is not facing that direction, it can be oriented southeast or southwest.
This answer may be different depending on where you live. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere the sun moves along the southern part of the sky, which is why your solar panels should face south. The Southern Hemisphere residents will also need to face their panels towards the north, or northeast, or northwest.
How Much Roof Space Are Require For Solar Panels
The number of solar panels you need to cover your roof will depend on their manufacturer, your home’s size, and how much electricity your household uses.
A square foot of roof space could potentially produce 15 watts of solar energy using an average-sized solar panel. For panels to work, a smaller home may only need 200 sq. ft of roof space. However, larger homes will need more panels and more roof space (around 1,000 sq. ft) to keep the lights on.
You’ll need more roof space if you are an avid electricity user. This will allow you to install more solar panels that can supply your electricity needs.
The average home uses 19 to 23 panels and with each panel taking up to 18 sq. feet. Your roof should be 400-600 square feet. Be sure to include any skylights or chimneys which might reduce your roof’s total space.
Roof Strength Requirements
The average weight of solar panels and the required mounting equipment (either penetration or weight mounts) is 3-4 pounds for each square foot. This weight is acceptable for all roof types.
Solar panels with weighted ballasts placed on flat roofs are typically heavier than those using concrete blocks to support them.
Weighted ballasts can be used as long as you have a roof in good condition and your home is relatively new. This is especially true if you have panels. These panels weigh in at 33 lbs per panel.
Solar Panels Are Great For Your Roof
While solar panels can be good for your roof, there are some things you should consider, especially during the install. Drilling is necessary to attach the panels to your roof. This can lead to potential water leakage over time.
Installers can make sure that your roof and home are protected from long-term damage. The life span of solar panels is 30 to 35 years. It’s therefore important that you have the panels installed correctly.
Although drilling holes in your roof may not sound appealing, there are many safety precautions that will ensure you don’t get any injuries.
Drilled holes can be used for lag bolts that secure the mounting rack of your solar panel system. To prevent water leakage, the hole must be filled with a sealant. The lag bolt will then be surrounded by metal flashing or plastic flashing. This is a type of shield that can fit under any type of roof tile. The flashing is sealed with tar or another durable material. This will ensure that your roof is safe from damage and possible seepage. Remember that no matter what type of solar panel or roof you have, they are a great look because they reflect your values and character. Hopefully, this article informed you of the best roof for solar panels.
Go Solar With ESD Solar
ESD Solar can help you reap the benefits of installing solar panels during an exterior home remodeling. Solar energy is our specialty and we will help you choose the best option for your home.
Call us today for more information about solar panels and the reasons how they should be installed. We can help you determine if solar panels are right for your home and how to incorporate them into your roof design. ESD Solar Company can provide the best solar panels for your home, in Florida, Texas, and Colorado.
