Roof-mounted solar panels can be an excellent way to harness the power and save money on your home’s energy bills.

Roofs are ideal locations for solar panels because they receive a lot of sunlight. This is great for maximizing your home’s solar energy production. High-efficiency solar panels mounted on your roof can produce power even on the darkest days. They capture direct and indirect sunlight, so you can still get the ability even on cloudy days.

Roof-mounted solar panels

One of the most critical questions a consultant will ask you about your roof’s age and condition is how it was constructed. Before installing solar panels, your roof will need to be replaced.

Please continue reading to learn why it is essential to address roof issues before installing solar panels.

Why Roofs are a great place for solar panels

Roofs are the most popular location to install solar power systems at home – and with good reason.

Sun exposure panels can produce more solar energy than the grid. An unobstructed roof and slopes towards the sun will maximize your house’s sunlight exposure and energy production.

Roof-mounted solar panels are possible to be installed on your house as well as various outbuildings such as:

• Barns
• Sheds
• Garages
• Carports

The suitability of solar panels for roofs on these residential structures will depend on several factors.

• Types of roofing shingles (materials). – Asphalt, metal, tile, and so on.
• Roof type (style/design) – hip, hip, gambrel, etc.
• Roof slope and its direction
• Overall condition

Which Roofing Shingles are best for Solar Panels?

You can install solar panels on many types and materials of roofing shingles. Asphalt-shingled roofs can be a great choice if the roof is in good shape and has enough surface area.

Which Roof Style or Design is Best for Solar Panels

With a few exceptions, solar panels can be mounted on any roof style.

Roof-mounted solar panels could be installed on your barn, garage, shed, and garage roofs. A solar installer will be able to determine the best way for you to mount your panels, regardless of whether it is a hip, gable, or combination roof.

Installers and engineers can divide solar arrays into multiple sections to follow rooflines and work around roof elements such as skylights or box vents.

Which Roof Slope is Best to Use for Solar Panels

A residential roof-mounted solar panel should be at an angle equal to the latitude of its install location to maximize sunlight exposure. However, this is not always possible.

A roof slope of 15-40 degrees is sufficient for most solar power systems. You can adjust an individual solar panel to maximize sun exposure.

The solar panel experts can determine whether your roof slope is suitable for installing solar panels.

Which Roof Slope is best for solar panels?

The orientation and direction of the roof slope on which the solar panels are placed is another factor affecting solar panel power production.

The Northern Hemisphere (all U.S. areas) recommends that solar panels face south, as south-facing roofs receive the maximum sunlight during the day.

Is your roof solar-ready?

Although you can install solar panels in almost all homes, there are some things you need to know about your roof before you begin a solar project.

Make sure you take care of your roof first so that you don’t have a slowdown or pause in your solar installation.

What is the Square Footage of Your Roof’s Roof?

The size of your roof is essential when considering solar. To have solar panels installed, your roof might need to meet a minimum surface area requirement.

You can only install solar panels on a minimum surface area. This will allow you to achieve your solar goals while complying with building codes. For example, many building codes require open spaces on the roof for ventilation and access to remove smoke, fumes, and heat from a fire.

Your solar consultant will address most of these details during your project.

What kind of roof material do you use on your home?

Solid and durable roofing materials, like asphalt roof tiles, are ideal for supporting solar panels.

Solar panels are not available for all roof types. For example, flat roofs made from tar or gravel are not suitable for installing solar panels.

What age is your roof?

As a guideline, asphalt shingle roofs should not exceed ten years and be in reasonable condition before installing solar panels.

You may need to schedule a roof inspection if your roof is over ten years old. This will determine if the roof is in good enough shape for solar panel installation. Then, installing solar panels will not require replacing or repairing your roof.

Is your roof in good shape?

A roofing contractor will inspect your roof and attic to identify potential signs of damage, such as water leaks or ventilation.

Other roofing components, such as flashing, underlayment, and vents, may also need replacement. Again, these items should be replaced or repaired before any solar installation can begin.

Are your roof decking and structures in good shape?

The roof decking and structure must be in good shape to avoid removing or reinstalling solar panel panels due to roof problems.

Next steps to achieve your solar goals

Find an independent contractor such as Framingham Roofing MA that can replace or repair your roof before installing solar panels.

You can now explore the best options for solar panels for your home once your roof has been in good shape.