If you are sold on the idea of having solar panels installed, you may wonder what steps you can take to get ready for the process. By far, the most important element of the solar panel preparation project is to have the roof ready to go. The ways to make sure everything is in check are listed below.
Why is the roof so important for solar panel installation?
If you are roof only has about 10 years left on its lifespan or less, consider installing a brand new roof before you install solar panels. On average, a solar panel system will last for about 20 years or more. However, most roofing that is made from shingles will only last about 15 to 25 years. After all, you would not want to pay extra money to have your solar panels uninstalled and reinstalled soon after installing them for the first time.
Consider the roof’s angle and direction
One of the major issues that homeowners can face is having a roof that is too steep to have solar panels installed. The other major issue is not having enough sunlight to make the solar panels affordable. Typically, south facing roofs will have the most success with solar panels. If you cannot use the roof, consider using other parts of the landscape to install panels such as the top of porches or creating a solar panel-covered patio.
Make sure you have enough roof space
If you have a smaller home with multiple stories, you may not have enough roof space to house all of the required solar panels. On average, a home will need at least 16 panels. This means that you would need to have at least 400 square feet of space on the roof to accommodate the solar panels. This figure needs to include extra square footage to allow for the solar panels to be within the confines of the roof and not hang over the edge of the roof.
Make sure there are no interfering accessories
Do you have a vent on your roof that was installed by a plumber? You may also have other accessories on your roof such as vents or fans installed by HVAC professionals. Unfortunately, if these contractors need access to these accessories on your roof, the solar panels may be in the way. To avoid these costly interferences, call the plumber or HVAC professionals before you have solar panels installed.
Make sure to trim the trees
One other reason solar panels have a hard time collecting the sun’s energy is due to the surrounding foliage. For instance, if you have your solar panels installed in the winter, do not forget a neighboring tree may cover your solar panels and block the sun during the summer months. For this reason, you may need to talk to your neighbors about having the trees trimmed by a professional landscaper. Sadly, some trees cannot have limbs removed without damaging the tree.
Let us help you install your solar panels
Once you have had a professional roof inspector evaluate the condition of the area you want to put solar panels, the next step is to call a solar specialist. They will let you know if you need solar panel preparation extras such as reinforcements for your roof to hold up the weight. The final steps include selecting which system best fits your needs, and the rest is history.
To get started, call us today.