Not every roof is a suitable candidate for solar panel installation. This article discusses some of the considerations that you can use to assess whether the roof on your home is ideal for the installation of solar panels.
Orientation
Different areas receive maximum sun exposure from different directions. It is therefore important for you to find out whether the orientation of your roof will allow any solar panels that are installed there to be fully exposed to sunlight for most of the day. Improper orientation of the roof may compel you to incur additional costs in order to benefit from solar energy in your home. For instance, you may have to invest in adjustable solar panel anchors so that the orientation of the panels can be adjusted automatically or manually as their exposure to the sun alters during the day.
Age
What does the age of a roof have to do with solar panels? A new roof is ideal for the installation of solar panels. This is because the panels are designed to last for a long time. It would therefore be very inconveniencing for you to be forced to remove the panels in order to replace an aging roof.
Roof Space
Solar systems are usually sized to meet the energy needs of a family. The solar contractor usually establishes whether the surface area of your roof is sufficient to accommodate the solar panels that are needed to generate the volume of energy that your home needs. An ideal roof has sufficient space on the side that faces the direction from which maximum sun exposure can be expected. Homes with insufficient roof space may consider mounting the solar panels on the ground.
Simplicity
The best roof onto which to mount solar panels is flat and free from adornments, such as chimneys and skylights. This is because those adornments can make the installation process very complex and costly in order to find ways to work around the obstructions.
Shade
Solar panels will perform optimally if they are installed on a roof that is fully exposed to the sun during most hours of the day. Tall buildings in the vicinity can reduce the exposure of your roof to the sun. Similarly, tall trees can also reduce how much sunlight can reach your roof.
As you can see, several factors determine the suitability of a roof for solar panel installation. It is therefore advisable for you to ask a solar panel installer to come and assess your roof so that you can be sure that you will be able to get value for money when you install solar panels to address the energy needs of your home.
