In the spirit of saving money while also helping the planet, you might be considering having solar panels installed on the roof of your house. This might be an idea you are on-board with, but will solar panels work well with your roof? There are a number of things to think about and determine before you move ahead with your solar project. Today we’d like to talk about some roof requirements for solar panels.
How Do I Know If My Roof Can Hold Solar Panels?
This is likely a top question you have. When solar panels are installed on new homes, the system and the roofing are in alignment with each other. Everything is designed to work together, from the stability of the roofing system to the way the components enter the building and route properly throughout the home.
Older homes can have a difficult time making this process come together if the roof is too old, isn’t positioned correctly, or has obstacles and interferences around the home causing issues. For example, solar panels can weigh up to 40 pounds apiece, putting extra weight on a roof that might already be stressed. Having your roof reviewed by a professional roofer as well as a solar expert will help you determine whether your older roof can handle the panels.
At the same time, are your roofing shingles or tiles accommodating to a solar panel setup if it’s an existing roof? Slate, clay tiles, and wood roofing structures can pose problems for accomplishing the solar panel installation.
Is My Roof Big Enough for Solar Panels?
The way your house sits and the angle of your roof will help determine whether it’s a good candidate for a solar panel setup. Is the roofing section large enough to properly hold the panels and the rest of the solar setup? What is under that roofing section? Can the team get access to the necessary areas under your roofing sections?
Reviewing the solar equipment available is also an important step to investigate. Get a few different bids from solar companies in your area, and ask them to assess the systems available for your specific roof and home, and which ones fit your needs the best. Remember to speak with your roofing team as well to confirm the system will work in conjunction with the roofing structure that you currently have in place.
How many panels you need for your systems will be another consideration. If you have more people in your home and you’re using more energy, you will need more panels, and thus, more space on your roof. Existing items on your roof can impact available space as well, from vents and chimneys to gables or flashing.
Fire safety is another issue. Placement of the solar panels may be dictated by local building codes and the need for your fire service to be able to reach inside the roof structure, if necessary, during a fire.
Your Local Austin Area Roofing Professionals
We strive to bring you the best in roofing for the Austin, Texas area. We deliver decades of roofing experience, training, and knowledge in this area’s needs. We are a prominent roofing company in residential roof repair and roof replacement. We will not ask for a deposit on labor or materials as a dependable way to stand out from the competition while bringing you the best product and service in Austin.
When we inspect, install, or repair your roof, we want to provide you with the best options for your roof design, components, and ventilation. We are Master Elite Contractors bringing you the latest in roofing technology, and a member of our local area Better Business Bureau, so you know we take pride in our work and our community.
Contact us by phone or email to schedule your FREE roofing inspection and quote today.
