How to Get Your Roof Ready for Solar Panel Installation

21 Nov How to Get Your Roof Ready for Solar Panel Installation

Roof-mounted solar panels can be a great way for you to harness the power and save money on your home’s energy bills. Roofs are ideal locations for solar panels because they receive a lot of sunlight. This is great for maximizing your home’s solar energy production. High-efficiency solar panels mounted on your roof can produce power even on the darkest days. They capture both direct and indirect sunlight, so you can still get power even on cloudy days. Keep reading to learn more about how to prepare your roof for solar panel installation.

Why Roofs Are a Great Place for Solar Panels

Roofs are the most popular location to install solar power systems at home – and with good reason.

Sun exposure panels can produce more solar energy than the grid. A roof that is unobstructed and slopes towards the sun will maximize sunlight exposure and energy production for your house.

We can install roof-mounted solar panels on your house as well as various outbuildings such as:

• Barns
• Sheds
• Garages
• Carports

The most popular location to install solar power systems at home is on the roof. The suitability of solar panels for roofs on these residential structures will depend on several factors.

• Types of roofing shingles (materials)
• Roof type (style/design)
• Roof slope and its direction
• Overall condition

Which Roofing Shingles Are Best for Solar Panels?

You can install solar panels on many roofing materials. If the roof is in good shape and has enough surface area, asphalt-shingled roofs can be a great choice.

Which Roof Style or Design is Best for Solar Panels

With a few exceptions, solar panels can be mounted on any roof style.

Roof-mounted solar panels could be installed on the roofs of your barn, garage, shed, and garage. A solar installer will be able to determine the best way for you to mount your panels, regardless of whether it is a hip, gable, or combination roof.

Installers and solar engineers can divide up solar arrays into multiple sections to follow rooflines and work around roof elements such as skylights or box vents.

Which Roof Slope is Best to Use for Solar Panels

A residential roof-mounted solar panel should be at an angle that is equal to the latitude of its install location in order to maximize sunlight exposure. However, this is not always possible.

For most solar power systems, a roof slope of 15-40 degrees is sufficient. An individual solar panel can be adjusted to maximize sun exposure.

The solar panel experts can determine whether your roof slope is suitable to install solar panels.

Is Your Roof Ready for Solar Panel Installation?

Although solar panels can be installed in almost all homes, there are some things you need to know about your roof before you begin a solar project.

Make sure you take care of your roof first, so that you don’t have a slowdown or pause in your solar installation.

What Age Is Your Roof?

As a guideline, asphalt shingle roofs should not exceed 10 years and be in good condition prior to installing solar panels.

You may need to schedule a roof inspection if your roof is more than 10 years old. This will determine if the roof is in good enough shape for solar panel installation. Having solar panels installed will not require you to replace or repair your roof.

Is Your Roof in Good Shape?

A roofing contractor will inspect your roof and attic to identify potential signs of damage such as water leaks or ventilation.

Other roofing components, such as flashing, underlayment, and vents, may also need replacement. These items should be replaced or repaired before any solar installation can begin.

Are Your Roof Decking and Structures in Good Shape?

To avoid having to remove or reinstall solar panel panels due to roof problems, the roof decking and structure must be in good shape.

Contact Kennedy Roofing

Kennedy Roofing has the experience and expertise to replace or repair your roof with quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. We have been family-owned and operated for over 40 years. We service a multitude of areas in West Central Florida including Anna Maria Island, Plant City,  Apollo Beach, Bradenton, Brandon, and Seffner, Ellenton, Gibsonton, Longboat Key, North Port, Port Charlotte, Valrico, Palmetto,  Punta Gorda, Riverview, Sarasota, Sun City Center, Tampa Bay, Venice, Lake Whales, and all points in between! All our roofs are backed by a 15-year leak-free guarantee, the highest in the industry. Our Owens Corning shingle roofs are backed by a 50-Year Platinum Warranty that includes materials and labor. While most of our business is residential, we also handle commercial roofing projects. Check out our 5-star reviews and be sure to contact us today for your quote!