The first step in purchasing solar panels is to assess your roof’s suitability for solar panel systems. The roof design is also essential to install solar panels in a new home.
There are many options for roofing materials and styles. It can be not easy to understand how these factors affect solar panels.
Freedom Solar will give you insight into which roofs are best for solar panels. You’ll be able to make sure that your solar system is secure and stable when you know which roof works best for you.
What type of roof is best for solar panels?
Many roofs work well for solar panels. Here are some of the best.
MOUNTING SOLAR PANELS ON SHINGLE ROOFS
Shingle roofs are the most popular type of roofing for homes. They can be made from asphalt shingles or composite shingles. Asphalt shingles can be made from either a fiberglass or cellulose mat, and asphalt is added at the end.
Both options can be used, but composite shingles are more durable than asphalt shingles.
Installing solar panels on shingle roofs can be done in a few simple steps. You will need standard penetrating mounts, which are easy to attach.
Technicians drill holes in the roof to allow the solar panels to attach. Next, they seal the gaps between the panels and the studs. The flashings seal the system to stop water from leaking between panels and roof.
Shingle roofing is popular among homeowners and homebuilders because it’s durable and affordable. Shingle roofing can last between 12 to 20 years. This makes it a great choice for attaching solar panels.
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, technicians can attach them to metal roofs with standing seams. Because no drilling is required, you don’t need to hire crews or contractors for the installation of solar panels.
Metal roofs can also benefit homes and businesses in sunny, warm regions, such as Texas or Colorado. This is because metal roofs reflect light away from solar panels, keeping buildings and houses cooler.
Metal roofing is a popular choice for homes due to its long life span. A metal roof lasts 40 to 125+ years .
Metal roofs can be noisy and more costly than other roofing materials. Solar panels can block some of the noise from your home.
MOUNTING SOLAR PANELS ON TILE ROOFS
Installing solar panels on a tile roof can be done by technicians using a standard penetrating mounting that raises them slightly from the roof. To make room for mountings, tiles may need to be cut or removed because they don’t have the same shapes. This can lead to additional labor expenses.
You can make tile shingles from clay, concrete or slate. The installation of solar panels on clay tiles presents challenges that need to be present in standard shingle roofs.
One, the way you move across the roof is very different. Clay tile is extremely resilient to the elements but not as resilient to the installation team’s footsteps. Freedom Solar takes great care when servicing this market. We’re skilled at moving clay roofs across without damaging tiles.
Tiled roofs look more appealing because they offer more variety in appearance. However, they are heavier and more costly than other roofing materials. They aren’t as expensive as metal roofs but can be quite attractive. They are durable and more waterproof than most other types of roofing.
It’s popular in California, Arizona and is growing in popularity throughout the country. In Central Texas, for example, the preferences of people are changing along with rising population rates.
MOUNTING SOLAR PANELS ON GRAVEL AND TAR ROOFS
You can still install solar panels on most flat tar-and-gravel roofs (although some sloped roofs do not use tar or gravel). You will need to make sure technicians angle your solar panel system at 30 degrees using tilt brackets. This ensures your panels get the best sunlight possible for energy generation.
Even though flat roofs are easy to work on, it is worth hiring a crew or contractor to mount your solar panel system. This is especially true if your installation skills are not up to par.
Tar and gravel roofs are popular with homeowners because they are affordable and can last for 20 to 25 years.
What is the best roof angle for solar panels?
To maximize energy output, the best angle for solar panels on a roof is 30°. Solar panels can be used on roofs with steeper slopes or flatter ones.
You can adjust the angle of the solar panel system according to the number you have. Add 15 degrees to your latitude, and then angle the solar panel system according.
A ROOF CAN BE TOO STEEP for SOLAR PANELS
Most roofs don’t have to be very steep. Your solar panels should still be able to generate enough energy to power your home, even if it is very steep. The ideal roof angle should be 30°. However, if your roof tilts to 40°, it will decrease energy generation by about 1%.
A roof with a above 40 degree is likely to be too steep. A solar panel system may not be feasible if you are looking to achieve energy independence.
SOLAR PANELS FOR FLAT ROOFS
Solar panels can be found on both flat and sloped roofs.
Because flat roofs are easier to maneuver, the solar panel installation process is often simpler than for sloped roofs. This makes the process of installing solar panels faster.
Flat roof solar installations don’t require the penetration mounts required for sloped roofs to ensure the system is secure. For flat roofs, technicians can use weighted mounting (aka ballast) systems that don’t require drilling through the roof. This system uses gravity to ensure that your solar panel system stays stable.
Flat roofs don’t have angles so technicians use tilt-up brackets.