Best Roof for Solar Panels

With technological advances, many homeowners have adopted the use of solar panels in their houses as a source of energy.

Many people claim that using solar panels helps in maintaining a clean environment and further saves extra expenses on electricity.

 What is the best roof for solar panels?

Most solar panels are installed on the roof, especially for people who lack enough space on the ground to mount the solar panel.

However, as a homeowner, you might wonder what is the best roof for solar panels.

The most commonly used roofing for solar panels is the Asphalt shingle. It is ranked as the best roof to use when installing a solar panel in your home.

The Asphalt shingle is made out of fiberglass that is very flexible and long-lasting. When installing the solar panel on this roof, is an easy process.

All you need is to drill several studs on the roof and attach the mount to the studs. There is a space left between the studs and the solar panel that is sealed to prevent water from entering the house during rainy seasons.

Asphalt shingle

What color roof is best for solar panels?

When you are roofing your home, most considerations focus on the design and material. People frequently ignore the color which is very crucial especially if you want to install a solar panel later.

There is a wide variety of colors that you can select depending on your taste and preferences.  There are light and dark roofing colors in a macro view.

Having a lighter color on your roof will ensure that there is maximum efficiency in energy production. Lighter colors allow solar radiation better than dark colors.

The best light color to use is light blue, light gray, light brown, and light green. These colors ensure that there is more reflection of light and heat compared to dark colors.

Light colors allow solar radiation on a lower instance than dark colors. When solar radiation is too high, then your house has more warmth which calls for cooling energy.

With a light roof, there will be regulated heat in the house thus saving more energy that could be used to cool the house.

What roof slope is the best for solar

The way your roof is positioned is a major factor to consider so that your solar panel can receive adequate light during the daytime.

If you are not sure about the slope of your roof, you can check Google maps. The solar panel positioning matters in the region you live such as around the equator, and the earth axis.

The angle of incidence is the angle at which sunlight hits your roof. You need a professional who can measure the angles well to ensure that sunlight hits your solar panel efficiently.

According to researchers, the best roof slope for your solar panel is 0-40 degrees. When sunlight can hit 40 degrees or around there, there is the maximum efficiency of energy. Ensure that the roof slope is not too steep like 45 degrees and above.

When the angles are too high, it becomes difficult to set up your solar panel since there is not enough surface area.

The small surface area prevents light from getting to the photovoltaic cells that are found in the panel. If your roof is more than 45 degrees, it is best to install your solar panels on the ground.

 Are solar panels bad for your roof?

Some homeowners feel that some solar panels can ruin your roofing but that is not the case. The method of installation of your solar panel will determine if it is safe for your roof.

In fact, solar panels offer protection for your roof. It protects your roof from poor weather. During hail, rain, and snow your roof is at risk of getting damaged.

With solar panels, your roof will be given maximum protection thus ensuring your roof will have a longer life span.

During summer, your roof I protected from too much sun. This ensures that the roof can gain a cooling effect.

Your building’s ceiling can be cooled up to 5 degrees by your solar panels. This helps you save on the cooling energy expenses that could be used during sunny seasons.

When solar panels are installed, there are no holes created on your roof. This is the major fear for most homeowners.

The professional installing the solar panel will drill holes to install and seal the holes after installation.

It prevents any water from getting to the house through your roof. The holes used are a bit small thus the roof is not highly affected.

 Roof strength requirements for solar panels

With the raised prices of electricity and fuel, homeowners are looking for the cheapest and most sustainable solar panel.

The problem is that some roof types are not strong enough to support some solar panels.  There are roof panel calculators that are there to help.

You can use them to calculate the weight that your roof can hold given the specific weight of the solar panels.

When installing a solar panel, be keen to note the roofing structure. The structure should be in a position to hold any type of solar panel.

When roofing asks for recommendations about the best type of roof strong enough to hold solar panels.

However, if your roof is not strong enough, you can come up with reinforcement to help in supporting the weight of the roof.

The age of your roof plays a big role in determining whether it can hold heavy solar panels. If your roof has existed for over a decade, it is best to use lightweight solar panels.

It will prevent them from causing damage to the roof. Most solar panels should last for over 25 years. This means that your roof should be strong enough to carry the weight for that long.

 Can I install a solar panel on flat roofs?

Most people with flat roofing are convinced that solar panels do not work with that kind of roofing. The good news is, that you can install your solar panels on flat roofs.

Studies show that people with flat roofs have a better advantage in solar panel efficiency than those with sloppy roofs. There are different ways used to install flat roofs just like other designs of roofs.

Installing a solar panel on a flat roof is relatively easier than installing it on sloppy roofs. This is because installers can move around freely without fear of sliding or the need for other gadgets.

This makes it an easy and fast process.  On a flat roof, your solar panel can access full sunlight during the day. It can gain maximum energy to use later on.

Further, installing solar panels on flat roofs is cheap than on other roofs. The materials used on flat roofs are simple and durable since there is less work on the flat roof.

This reduces the costs by over 5% compared to others. When installing solar panels on a flat roof, the installer will not need to make holes in the roof. This ensures that your roof is left in the same condition as it was before installation.

How much space is needed for solar panels?

Solar panels come in different sizes and weights. Nevertheless, most installations incorporate 60 cells or the 72-cell module.

The 60-cell module is common in homes while the 72-cell module is used for commercial purposes. The 60-cell module requires a space of 18 feet while the 72-cell requires 21 feet.

In case you want to add some kilo watts, then your installer will advise you on the amount of space you will need to add.

The solar panel space requirements are influenced by the photovoltaic material used. Solar panels that have more watts per capacity will need less area to be efficient.

Thin film panels are more cost-effective when more space is available. You can use monocrystalline solar panels that do not need too much space to be effective.

 What is the best direction for solar panels on the roof?

When installing solar panels, the south-faced direction is the best to acquire the best outcome. When your solar faces south, you can receive high electric expenses saving and the highest payback period.

When the solar panel faces south, your battery storage is maximized. When your solar panel faces south, it will gain surplus energy that is not used during the day.

Therefore, the battery energy saved can be sued during peak hours or saved for days the sun is not available.

South is the best direction because the sun will always face it no matter the region you live in. If you live in an area with net metering, your solar panels should face south to gain the level of solar output you require.

 Conclusion

Solar panels are the best to cut electricity bills as they provide energy in your home. Get the best roofing type to help you gain the best amount of efficiency.

In most cases, you can consult a solar panel company based on the type of your roof. Your solar panels will yield maximum efficiency when placed in the south.

 

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