With technological advances, many homeowners have adopted solar panels as an energy source.
Many people claim that using solar panels helps maintain a clean environment and saves extra electricity expenses.
Most solar panels are installed on the roof, especially for people lacking enough ground space to mount the solar panel.
However, as a homeowner, you might wonder what the best type of roof is for installing your solar panel.
What is the best roof for solar panels?
The most commonly used roofing material for solar panels is asphalt shingle. It is the best roof for installing solar panels in your home.
The Asphalt shingle is made of fiberglass, which is very flexible and long-lasting. Installing the solar panel on this roof is easy.
You only need to drill several studs on the roof and attach the mount to them. A space is left between the studs and the solar panel, which is sealed to prevent water from entering the house during rainy seasons.
What color roof is best for solar panels?
When roofing your home, most considerations focus on the design and material. People frequently ignore the color, which is crucial, especially if you want to install a solar panel later.
You can select from various colors depending on your taste and preferences. In a macro view, there are light and dark roofing colors.
A lighter color on your roof will ensure maximum efficiency in energy production. Lighter colors allow solar radiation better than dark colors.
The best light colors are light blue, light gray, light brown, and light green. These colors ensure that light and heat are reflected more than dark colors.
Light colors allow solar radiation on a lower instance than dark colors. When solar radiation is too high, your house has more warmth, which calls for cooling energy.
With a light roof, the heat in the house will be regulated, thus saving more energy that could be used to cool it.
What roof slope is the best for solar?
The position of your roof 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.
Solar panel positioning matters in your region, such as around the equator and the Earth’s axis.
The angle of incidence is the angle at which sunlight hits your roof. A professional should measure the angles well to ensure sunlight hits your solar panel efficiently.
According to researchers, the best roof slope for your solar panel is 0-40 degrees. There is maximum energy efficiency when sunlight hits 40 degrees or around there. Ensure the roof slope is not too steep, like 45 degrees or above.
When the angles are too high, setting up your solar panel becomes difficult since there is not enough surface area.
The small surface area prevents light from getting to the photovoltaic cells found in the panel. If your roof is more than 45 degrees, installing solar panels on the ground is best.
Are solar panels bad for your roof?
Some homeowners feel solar panels can ruin your roofing, but that is false. The method of installation of your solar panel will determine if it is safe for your roof.
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 damage.
With solar panels, your roof will be given maximum protection, thus ensuring it will have a longer life span.
During summer, your roof is 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, no holes are created on your roof, which is the major fear for most homeowners. The professional installing the solar panel will drill holes to install the panels and seal the holes after installation.
It prevents water from getting to the house through the roof. The holes are small, so the roof is not highly affected.
Roof strength requirements for solar panels
With rising electricity and fuel prices, homeowners seek the cheapest and most sustainable solar panels.
The problem is that some roof types are weak enough to support solar panels. There are roof panel calculators that can help.
Given the specific weight of the solar panels, you can use them to calculate the weight that your roof can hold.
When installing a solar panel, note the roofing structure. The structure should be able to hold any type of solar panel.
When roofing asks for recommendations about the best type of roof strong enough to hold solar panels, you can create reinforcement to help support 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 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. Like other roof designs, flat roofs are installed using different methods.
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 needing 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 cheaper 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, ensuring that the roof is left in the same condition as 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 commercially.
The 60-cell module requires 18 feet of space, while the 72-cell requires 21 feet. If you want to add some kilowatts, your installer will advise you on how much space you need to add.
The space requirements for solar panels are influenced by the photovoltaic material used. Solar panels with more watts per capacity will need less area to be efficient.
Thin film panels are more cost-effective when more space is available, while monocrystalline solar panels 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-facing direction is the best to achieve the best outcome.
When your solar panels face south, you can receive high electric expense savings and the highest payback period.
When the solar panel faces south, your battery storage is maximized. It will also gain surplus energy unused 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 your region.
If you live in an area with net metering, your solar panels should face south to gain the level of solar output you require.
Final Thought
Solar panels are the best way to cut electricity bills, as they provide energy for your home. Get the best roofing type to help you gain the most efficiency.
In most cases, you can consult a solar panel company based on your roof type. Your solar panels will yield maximum efficiency when placed in the south.
