For people who are considering installing solar panels on their roofs, the material of a roof is one consideration not to overlook. While ground-mounted solar panels are an excellent option for many homeowners, not many people have the spare ground space for these panel systems.

Because of this, most homeowners opt for roof-mounted panels. Before customers invest in a roof-mounted system, though, they have to be sure their roofing materials are compatible with the mounting and attachment of the panels.

This is especially true for solar power in Frederick. Here’s what customers need to know:

Which Roof Types Are Best for Solar Energy in Firestone?

While there are many questions customers ask as they get ready to install solar panels in Erie, CO, one of the biggest is whether a home’s roof is ideal for solar panels.

After all, solar panels are somewhat heavy, and they mount directly into a roof. As such, it’s essential to have a roof that can sustain the weight and the addition.

Here are a few of the factors that determine whether a roof is ideal for solar power in Frederick, or not:

1. The Pitch and Orientation of a Roof

Solar panels are capable of working in indirect sunlight, but they’ll produce more energy if they face directly south. With this in mind, it’s important for customers to pay particular attention to the orientation of their roofs since it has a tremendous impact on how effective roof-mounted panels will be.

Sometimes, however, people who want to install solar panels in Erie, CO don’t have a roof orientation that faces true south. In these cases, it’s still possible to install solar energy in Firestone and to enjoy the positive benefits of panels. Roofs that face east or west only lose about 10-20% of their energy production, on average. People who have questions about their roof’s orientation as it relates to solar panels in Erie, CO can talk to a solar company in Erie, CO.

Another consideration is the pitch of a roof. The ideal angle for easy panel installation is about 30-40 degrees. Anything much steeper than this will make the installation of panels difficult and may interrupt the panel’s ability to perform to their full potential.

2. The Age of the Roof

Today, the average asphalt shingle roof has a lifespan of about 20 years. Materials like metal and slate, meanwhile, can last up to 40 years and longer. Because of this, a good solar company in Erie, CO will recommend that customers interested in solar panels take a good, hard look at their roofs, first.

Roofs that are reaching the end of their natural lifespan should be replaced before solar panels are added. Because panels are difficult (but not impossible) to remove once they’re installed, replacing the roof first has the potential to save homeowners thousands of dollars in labor costs.

3. Shade Hours Each Day

A good solar company in Louisville, CO will tell customers that solar energy in Firestone can work even in the shade. Despite this, though, panels work better in the sun and will thrive when they’re only shaded for a minimal portion of the day.

For customers who want to install solar panels but get a great deal of shade on their roofs, there are a few simple solutions. A solar company in Louisville, CO may suggest simply trimming hedges, tree limbs, and other materials that obscure the sun, or removing trees around the roof, for example.

4. The Roof’s Material

When it comes to solar energy, not all roofing materials are created equal. While roof-mounted solar panels will work with many different roof materials, composite asphalt shingles are by far the best and most preferable material for installation.

When a solar company installs panels on this material, leaks are rare, installation is streamlined, and issues seldom arise.

Other materials, such as wood shingles and clay roof tiles are not ideal for solar panel installation. Unlike composite shingles, these materials are brittle and will break, crack, and splinter very easily. This makes it hard for them to bear the weight of solar panels, or to hold up to the screwing and drilling associated with installation.

5. The Size of a Roof

A roof’s square footage is another consideration that has the potential to impact solar panel viability. While interested customers should talk to a solar installer about how much square footage their ideal system will require, a general guideline is at least 100 square feet of space for each KW of a system. When assessing usable roof space, customers should consider factors like skylights, broken roof lines, and dormers, all of which will impact available space on the roof.

Roof-Mounted Solar Panels for CO Consumers

When it comes to installing solar power, evaluating the roof is one of the first steps. Not only does the material, size, and orientation of the roof impact the feasibility of solar panels, but understanding these considerations educates consumers and makes it more possible for them to make smart energy decisions.

Roof material is one consideration customers will want to pay special attention to. While there’s generally a way to make a roof-mounted system work, some roof materials are simply too brittle to sustain the weight of solar panels. Customers who have questions about the viability of their roof should speak directly to a solar installer. If a client tries to install a roof-mounted system on an incompatible roof, they risk things like leaks, roof damage, and major repairs.

When a roof is compatible with solar panels, it’s easy to install a durable, long-lasting solar panel system that provides for a household’s energy needs and improves the property value. Customers who want to begin this process should make an appointment with a solar company in Erie, CO. Installation experts will be able to help a customer make system decisions and decide, once and for all, if their home is a good match for solar panels.F