Replacing Your Roof Its A Great Time To Add Solar
If youre thinking about replacing your rooflike millions of other homeowners every year in Americayou may also be considering adding solar at the same time. In fact, an average of 2.3 million single-family, detached homes per year will require a roof replacement over the next decade. If just a fraction of those homes go solar at the same time, it would represent significant progress toward U.S. decarbonization goals. Heres what you need to know.
First, costs: the average cost to replace a roof is about $10,000, depending on the size of the roof and other factors, and it will last anywhere from 20 to 50 years depending on the materials used. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , the average cost of installing a residential rooftop solar array is $19,000. Combined with a roof replacement, the total bill can amount to nearly $30,000 however, NREL researchers estimate that when done together, the average cost could be $25,000, potentially saving homeowners an average of $4,000. You may also be eligible for the federal tax credit for solar photovoltaics, which could increase your savings by providing a tax credit for 26% of the cost of solar arrays installed in 2021 or 2022. You can find other potential savings at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.
Thinking about taking the plunge into solar energy? Check out our Homeowners Guide to Going Solar to learn about how to get the process started.
Determine The Strength Of Your Roof
Installing solar panels on your roof would mean increasing the weight that it should hold. If your roof is not sturdy enough to carry the weight of the solar panel that will be installed, chances are, it will collapse.
This will be dangerous for your family and it will cost you more expenses for roof and solar panel repairs. Not to mention the cost of an installation service for both.
If you dont want to experience this painstaking situation to happen, have a professional roofing service to evaluate the needs of your roof before a solar panel installation.
Contact Roof Maxx To Keep Your Shingles Strong
If youre looking to install solar panels on your asphalt roof, youll want to ensure your shingles are in the best possible condition before installation. Thats where Roof Maxx comes in. Contact one of our team members today to learn how we keep asphalt shingles flexible and durable for years. Plus, youll learn how we can save you thousands of dollars on roof maintenance too!
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Do I Need A New Roof Before I Put Solar Panels On
Whether you need a new roof for your solar panels depends on a few factors, but the main factor to consider is the condition of your current roof. Your roof should be fairly new and in good condition if youre going to install solar panels on it.
According to the National Association of Home Builders , asphalt shingle roofs by far the most popular roofing material last about 20 years. Of course, condition does not always directly correlate with age, so its important you know not only how old your roof is but also what sort of shape its in currently. Especially if your roof is more than five years old, you should consider having a professional evaluation done on your roof to help determine whether it is holding up well and is ready for solar panels.
If your roof is nearing the end of its projected lifespan or is in poor condition, then you are typically better off replacing it before installing solar panels. This ensures your roof will be able to support the solar panels, which weigh about the same as adding a second layer of shingles, and keeps you from having to pay to take down the panels when it comes time to replace the roof and reinstall them after the new roof goes on.
What Roof Slope Is Best For Solar Panels
To maximize sun exposure, a residential roof-mounted solar system should be at an angle equal to the latitude of their install location, but this isnt always possible.
A roof slope that angles between 15-40 degrees should suffice for most solar power systems. Individual solar panels can also be adjusted to an optimal angle that maximizes their sun exposure.
Your solar panel installers can help determine if your roof slope is suitable for solar panel installation.
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How To Get Your Roof Ready For Solar Panels
Roof-mounted solar panels are a great way to harness the power of the sun and save on your home energy bills. A roof offers an ideal location for solar panels as it typically gets a great deal of sun exposure, which is good for maximizing your home solar energy production. Even on cloudy days, high-efficiency solar panels installed on your roof can generate power in low light as they capture direct and indirect sunlight.
Is My Roof Good For Solar
So perhaps now you have figured out if your roof has enough room to hold some solar panels. If so, your next question should likely be but will they work?
As alluded to at the start of this article, the question about solar, beyond will the panels fit, isnt really if you can install solar. The real question is will solar pay you back. That question is best answered by asking three key questions which way does your roof face, what is the pitch of your roof, and how much shade is on it throughout the day. In short, the more direct sun the more power. The less direct sun, the less power. Thats probably terribly obvious, but it is the key to whether solar will work for you.
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Solar Power Installation Company
Rather than calling a roofing company, if you have one locally available you can always contact a solar power installation expert. These companies are popping up all over the world and are now available in many areas to help take over the installation of a solar power grid.
The good thing about contacting a solarpower company is that not only can they usually assess your installation pointand determine if solar panels are a feasible option for you, they can also dothe installation, which means all you have to do is sit back and watch themagic happen.
For homeowners who are concerned aboutfaulty wiring, electrical fires, and other similar concerns, hiringprofessionals to do the job can ease the mind a lot, and let the homeownerfocus on bolstering their off-grid initiative through other projects.
How Old Is Your Roof
If your roof is 10 or 20 years old, losing shingles, looking dilapidated, or otherwise in a condition where you may have to replace it in a few years, then you may wish to hold off on installing solar panels. The solar panels are going on top of your roof, so if the roof goes, the solar panels do too.
You can expect your solar panels to last for decades, so you dont want to waste money installing them on a roof that you are going to have to tear downand replace in five years or less.
Solar panels can be a great, money-saving investment for your home, so if you think you are a good candidate based on your responses to the above questions, contact your local solar installer to discuss solar panels for your home today!
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Installation Costs For Flat Roof Solar Panels Are Competitive With A Standard Sloped Rooftop Installation
Labor and installation costs typically make up about ten percent of your total solar panel system costs. This is partially due to the logistics of climbing around on a steep roof to affix solar panels and their mounts. The process of installing a solar panel system on a flat roof is simpler by comparison workers can move freely on the roof without special equipment, and most of the roof materials used on flat roofs can easily handle the wear that occurs during the installation process.
As an added benefit, your solar installer wont need to make holes in your roof to install flat solar panels. Solar installations on sloped rooftops typically use a penetration mount, which fixes the racking that holds the solar panels to your rooftop by drilling multiple holes. Flat roof systems typically use a weighted mounting system instead . This system uses gravity to sit atop on your roof without the need for any holes.
That being said, solar panels installed on flat roofs sometimes require specialized equipment to maximize their electricity production. Instead of laying flat solar panels on a sloped roof, your solar installer will likely use angled mounts that tilt your solar panels up so that theyre exposed to the sun for as much of the day as possible. This can sometimes result in a slightly higher price tag for your flat roof solar panel system.
What Roof Type Is Best For Solar Panels
Solar panels can be installed on almost any roof style with a few exceptions. The roof on your home, garage, shed, or barn could all be potential candidates for roof-mounted solar panels. Whether its a gable, hip, or a combination roof, a solar installer can figure out the best way to mount panels.
Solar engineers and installers can split up solar arrays into multiple sections to follow the rooflines and work around roof components, such as skylights, box vents, or pipe boots.
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What About My Roof Pitch
Although it is a less significant factor than azimuth, the angle or pitch of a roof should also be considered. For a roof in the Northeast, because of the suns position through the year, the ideal angle for maximum electricity production on a South-facing roof is 36 degrees. However, almost any angle can work, even a flat roof. Again, the difference is your level of production.
In fact, a steeper roof is not always better for solar. For example, if you put solar on a West facing roof a lower pitch is better because more morning sun reaches over the peak than with a higher pitch. Thats why I noted above that even a North facing roof could work if it was nearly flat.
And for those craving more detail on pitch and to talk the talk of construction experts heres how angles translate into roof pitch:
Does Your Roof Need To Be Replaced
It’s a good idea to replace a roof that is near the end of its life before installing solar because SunPower solar panels have an expected useful life of 40 years, and you wouldn’t want to unnecessarily have to remove them. Solar panels should be installed on roofs that are in good condition and will not need to be replaced in the near future. Considering that your savings from high-efficiency solar panels could pay for the cost of a re-roof in as little as five years after installation, it may be worth it to do any needed roofing work before your solar installation.
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How Much Is Your Energy Bill
Knowing how much you pay for energy is the first step in evaluating whether your house is a good candidate for solar. The main question is, will it save you money? In some areas, electricity is very inexpensive. For most homeowners, the electricity bill is a dreaded monthly expense. The general rule is that solar makes the most financial sense for someone with a monthly electricity bill of at least $75. Why? Because going solar replaces utility energy with solar energy, and we want our customers to see a return on that investment by paying less for that energy. A utility bill of $75 is the threshold at which residential solar customers will see solar savings. There are several ways to go solar, depending on a customer’s needs and goals. SunPower offers zero-down lease, loan and cash purchase options each with different benefits. Ask your local solar expert about local and federal incentives and electricity policies where you live.
The overall idea is to pay less than you currently pay, lock in your electricity rate and save money by generating your own clean energy onsite.
Get Expert Solar Installation Services From Powerhome Solar
When you choose to add solar panels to your home, you rely on the expertise of solar professionals to ensure a smooth installation process. With the help of POWERHOME SOLARs team, you can rest assured that your solar panel system will operate at maximum efficiency without causing roof damage. Contact us to learn more about how to prepare your home for solar panel installation! We would love to work with you.
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Loadlimits For Roofs Are Complex
The load limit or weight capacityof your roof is a complex concept, as it encompasses a lot of factors otherthan the roofs design itself, which can be very specific to the home inquestion. Architecture is a wide-fetched field, and there are all kinds ofdifferent types of roofs to consider.
Other factors that affect the load limit of your roof include the following:
- Structural integrity of the roof: Your roof may have been designed to hold a certain amount of weight, but that doesnt mean that is necessarily the amount of weight it is capable of carrying.Any structural damage to the roof, such as settling in the foundation of the home, wind damage, or unaddressed leaks can have significant negative effects on a roofs functional weight capacity. These issues will have to be addressed and repaired before installing solar panels. If the structural damage is pervasive enough, this may even necessitate the replacement of the roof before solar panels can be safely placed on top of it.
- Age of the roof: Solar panels can last decades, so you dont want to install thousands of dollars of brand-new solar panels on an elderly roof that only has a few more years of effective use in it before it will need to be replaced.
Notonly does an old roof not have the same structural integrity as a newer roof,as it is more prone to years of wear and tear that lead to the kinds of leaksand other damage.
Is My Roof Good For Solar Panels
By katelyn
One of the biggest factors that influence your ability to go solar is how suitable your property is, and your roof plays a big role in that. Characteristics like roof orientation, material, condition, and shading all impact whether your roof can accommodate solar panels. Homeowners come to us all the time wondering if their roof is suitable for solar panels, so we can help you understand how these qualities impact your solar potential. Here are the main factors that determine whether or not your roof can support solar and some options you have if your roof isnt ideal for it.
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How Much Space On Your Roof
Most solar panels are about 6.5 feet x 3.25 feet. Whether or not your particular roof has enough space will largely depend on how many solar panels you need to meet your energy goals. After your free MOXIE consultation, youll know exactly how many panels are needed. Our engineers can then work on a custom layout design.
Your roof is likely not a perfect rectangle, and there are bound to be obstructions such as dormers, vent pipes, chimneys, or even skylights. We can work around these by splitting the placement of panels up and using every possible part of your roof. If we find there is still not enough space we can discuss the possibility of a rooftop/ground mount split combination or a full ground mount array.
Installation And Roof Inspection
Solar power and other types of alternative, natural energy is the way of the future. Homeowners should take advantage of creating their own energy if the option is viable for the structure.
Before you get too far into the installation make sure that the roof will support solar panels, and prepare time in the future to regularly maintain the panels as well as the roofing.
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Free Solar Panel Quotes For Your Roof
Theres likely to be a way for solar panels to be installed onto the vast majority of properties. And even if you have a north-facing roof, the panels will still generate renewable electricity. To find out how suitable your roof is for solar panels, we highly recommend getting the opinion of an MCS certified solar installer.
By completing our simple online form, well be able to connect you with up to 3 solar installers based in your local area. Each will provide a free quote for the installation of solar panels for you to then compare. Comparing multiple quotes in this way will give you the confidence that youre getting the most competitive price from the best installer for the job.
What Are The Benefits Of Solar Panels
Solar panels are one way individual homeowners can make a big difference in their personal energy use. The can save tons of money in energy costs, qualify for tax credits and boost home values. However, its important to make sure that solar panels are properly installed and that your roof is in good shape to support them.
- Energy cost savings can dramatically reduce your electric bills. Many homes save more than $2000 a year and break even in costs in around 5 years, according to the solar energy marketplace EnergySage.
- Solar panels boost home values by around $15,000 on average, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Solar panels are eligible for federal tax credits: the Solar Investment Tax Credit applies to 30 percent of system costs through 2022 for homeowners who purchase solar panels.
- Solar panels allow individual homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint in a significant way.
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