Worried about ever increasing electricity need and its ever increasing cost ? Solar energy can be one solution. Using solar energy is an effective way out there to save on energy bills while helping the environment. However, before even thinking on an installation, its very important to check its feasibility for you.
And one such part where you should concentrate on is your roof. A thorough and well prepared roof ensures safety and efficiency of the solar panels. And it it also helps in extending their lifespan. In this article we will walk through some of the steps to prepare the roof for solar panel installation. From accessing the roof’s condition to selecting the right type of mounting system, here’s everything you need to know.
Assessing the roof condition
Before thinking of solar panels, you need to think about your roof. Its important to check if your roof is in a good shape.
Here’s how you can get a fair idea about it:
- Access the Structural Integrity: If your roof is old or damaged, it might need repairs or even replacement before installation. The roof should be strong enough to handle the overall weight of the solar panels and other mounting structure. If you are unsure about your roof condition consult a professional roofer to check your roof for signs of wear & tear, or any other damage.
- Leaks & Damage: Any major leaks or damage will be visible to your eye as well. Make sure you check every nook an corner of your roof for any leak or damage. Patch-up or repair any leaks or water damaged sections of your roof before moving forward.
Evaluate Roof Type and Pitch
Even though solar panels can be fitted on almost all type of roofs, its important to check the type of roof. This helps to know if any special equipment or installation is needed for that particular roof type. Your roof type and its slope has a key role in determining your efforts and materials needed for smooth installation and easy maintenance.
- Asphalt Roofs: The most common type of roof one can find in many households is the Asphalt type. Asphalt roof tops are easy to work with. Also they are considered good for solar panel installation due to their durability and easy maintenance.
- Tile Roofs: Tile roofs look neat but they require special mounts due to their delicate nature. You might need some special equipments if you are working with these type of roofs.
- Flat Roofs: Flat roof is the most common type of roofs in each region. If you intend to install solar panels on this type of roof make sure it has as strong structure. This is to make sure if they will support the weight of the solar panels.
- Metal Roofs: Metal roofs are one of the most suitable roof types to install solar panels due to their strong structural support.
Clean The Roof
- Before you start the installation, make sure the roof is clean. A clean roof ensures that the panels are mounted securely.
- Debris like leaves, dirt, small particles, tree litter, etc. accumulate over time on your roof. They interfere with the installation and reduce the efficiency of your solar panels. Hence cleaning the roof is an important part of the overall procedure.
- Check the gutters for any possible blockage. Clogged gutters lead to water damage. This will affect the installation process and will make your roof more prone to get damaged in near future. This will also be a risk to the solar installation.
Understand The Roof’s Orientation
The direction your roof faces in very important for installation of solar panels. The solar panel orientation also depends in the region you live. Here’s a quick overview:
- For the Northern Hemisphere,
– South-facing roofs receive most sunlight throughout the day. So solar panels must be installed on that side, ensuring high efficiency and energy production.
– East/West facing roofs may still perform but the efficiency will be less than south facing roofs.
– North facing roofs are the least optimal when it comes to solar panel installation, as they receive the lowest amount of sunlight in a day. However with some specialized installation tools you might be able to optimize your energy production.
Choose the Right Solar Panel Mounting System
A good mounting system will enable you to install your solar panels firmly and securely. The type of mounting system depends on your roof type, the pitch, and local weather conditions.
- Roof Mounts: This is the most common type of mounting and needs drilling into the rooftop secure the mounting system. This type of mounting is typically used for patched roofs but one must ensure proper sealing to prevent leaks through the drill holes.
- Ballasted Mounts: The Ballasted mounting system is ideal solution for flat roofs. This technique uses weighted materials to hold the mounting in place without the need of any drilling into the roof. This type of mounting requires least maintenance as there’s almost no risk of water seeping through the drill holes as in previous case.
- Rack Mounts: Installers generally prefer rack mounts for larger installations, such as on commercial roofs. They are a bit complex installation as compared to the previous options, but also provide more flexibility in terms of positioning the panels to optimize energy production.
Consider Roof Maintenance Access
As solar panels are a long-term solution, so its is also important to consider about their maintenance & servicing in advance.
Its important to ensure you have enough space after the installation. This way you can keep an eye on the cleaning & roof maintenance or any repairs in the future. One must create a schedule for routine inspection/maintenance of the panels. This is necessary because dirt and dust can effect the efficiency of your solar panels in the long run. Hence, the roof must be accessible easily at all times.
Consult with a Professional Installer
All the above steps mentioned can be done by yourself. If you are not sure you can always consult a professional to take a look at your roof. And also take help in the installation process. The professional installer will also help you in evaluating potential shading that might reduce the efficiency of your solar panels or any such scenario which you might fail to capture. In most of the areas, the solar panel vendor will also help in all this stuff with a small extra cost.
Final Note
Making your roof ready for the solar panel installation is important and a mandatory step when you are thinking of solar panel installation. By assessing your roof’s condition, cleaning it thoroughly, and selecting the right mounting system, you’ll be able to maximize the efficiency and lifespan of your solar panels.
Always keep safety your first priority during such procedures and do not hesitate to take professional help which will save you a tons of efforts in near future.
Additionally, if you need to know how you can install the solar panels by yourself, we have a step-by-step guide which will help you in your installation process.