Solar Panels On The Roof

Solfit Integrated Pv System

SolfFit is uses 270Wp 300Wp Bisol laminates manufactured in the EU. The laminates have then been build into frames and flashings that have been manufactured here in the UK.

A unique selling point of the SolFit system is that it allows for free-flow of air under the panels. This, therefore, gives a better performance of the solar cells ranging between 15.3% to 16.8% efficiency.

The Solfit integrated system has the following Benefits:

A 10 year PV manufactures workmanship guarantee.

A 20-year weather tightness guarantee.

A 25 year PV linear performance guarantee, as most panels do.

It is suitable for installation with tile and slate types.

It comes with all the correct certifications such as, MCS 012,TUV test and CE marks.

Installation can be done from eaves to ridge.

15.3% to 16.8% module efficiency with positive power tolerance.

Do Solar Panels Affect House Insurance

In most cases, when you install solar panels on your roof, your insurance should cover you under the current terms. However, since a solar panel installation results in a change to the home structure, it is always advised to contact your current insurance provider before proceeding with the installation.

Its important to note that your home insurance may not include a cover for any damage by your solar panel or theft of the system. Therefore, its important to confirm with your insurance provider that your panels will also be covered.

Installing solar panels is a worthwhile investment for both homes and companies. They are a great step towards sustainability, reduce utility bills, and can even be a way for you to earn money back.

Solar Panels And Roof Damage

Many property owners worry about damaging their roof when installing a solar panel system. These installations will typically last around 30 to 35 years, so its important to make sure installing panels doesnt cause harm to your roof. Fortunately, roof damage as a result of a solar panel installation is extremely rare because installers take precautionary steps while installing panels to prevent leaks and other damage from occurring.

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Do They Offer Solar Panel Warranties

In addition to choosing a reputable solar roofing team, youll want to make sure they include both manufacturer and workmanship warranties on your new solar roof.

Depending on the manufacturer they use for the solar panels, you could get a great, long-standing warranty or something that wont uphold your panels for their lifespan. A good contractor will always include a workmanship warranty that covers any issues due to poor installation or faulty workmanship.

Shade Around The Roof Matters

Modern modules require about 6 hours in sunlight to recharge. Any shade around your roof will significantly hamper the production of your PV system.

Shade on your roof can be from nearby buildings, trees, dormers, chimneys, or other obstructions.

If you have trees around your roof, you can trim or cut them. However, other sources of shade might be challenging to eliminate. Enquire from a solar panel contractor whether a shade near your roof will affect your solar panel.

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Cost Of Solar Panels Based On System Size

The average domestic solar panel system costs £5,000 to £10,000. The total cost of solar panels depends on how many panels you need for your home, which in turn is dependent on your energy consumption.

Generally, the more expensive the system, the more electricity it can generate and therefore, the more savings it can bring. The table below shows the annual savings on your electricity bills per system size, how much you can earn through Smart Export Guarantee payments, and ultimately, how long it can take to break even.

A small house with 1-3 residents can sufficiently cover their electricity costs with a 3kW solar panel system, which costs £5,000-£6,000. With that system, you can save £160 per year on your electricity bill thanks to the free energy produced by your panels. Whats more, with SEG payments you can even earn £75 per year.

A household with a family of 3-4 people would commonly have a 4kW system installed, which has a price range of approximately £6,000-£8,000. In this scenario, you can save approximately £270 on your electricity bill annually, and can even earn £100 per year on top of that.

For larger homes that house 4+ people, a 6kW solar panel system would be required. This can be anything from £8,000 and upwards. With a 6kW system, you can save a whopping £430 on your electricity bills every year, and earn £151 from SEG payments additionally.

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Do Solar Panels Have To Be On The Roof

rooftop solar panelssolar panels needroofpanels can

. In this manner, do you have to put solar panels on the roof?

Ground-mounted solar panels are free-standing and able to be installed anywhere on your property â including the front, side, or backyard â whereas rooftop-mounted panels must be attached to your roof. Both options have unique benefits and make sense for different household situations and needs.

Similarly, where should solar panels be placed on a roof? For the US, your solar panels should face South. If the roof where you have been thinking of installing the solar panels faces South, South-East or South West, then its a good spot for them. On the other hand, if the available space on the roof only faces North, then is better to find another spot.

Thereof, do solar panels ruin your roof?

Solar panels dont damage your roof when installed properlyFor most homeowners, installing solar panels will not result in roof damage as long as your solar installer is a licensed, qualified professional and your roof is in good condition.

Can solar panels be installed on any roof?

The good news is that solar panels can be installed on just about any roof type, but the installation process and mounting hardware might vary from material to material. In this article, well explore the many types of roofs solar panels can be installed on and how each has a unique installation process.

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What We Like About Luma Solar

As mentioned, Luma Solar offers an integrated solar roofing system, not just solar shingles. This makes a Luma solar roof a good option if you dont like the look of regular solar panels or the combination of asphalt or concrete tile and solar shingles. You can also choose to integrate a Luma Solar Kit into your existing roof, which makes for a more flexible and potentially cheaper installation. With Tesla, youre limited to a full solar roof only.

Luma Solar shingles each boast 16 monocrystalline cells and have a power output of 80 watts and a stated energy efficiency of 21%. This makes them more energy-dense and efficient than most solar panels. The shingles can also withstand fire, sea spray, and Category 5 hurricanes, making them a good fit for areas where conventional solar panels are too risky.

Its also nice that Luma offers a range of battery storage options. Unlike Tesla, where youre limited to the companys Powerwall battery storage system, with Luma you can choose between at least four options.

Finally, one major advantage to installing a Luma solar roof is that theres an option to upgrade the photovoltaic cells. This helps to protect against massive increases in solar cell efficiency in the future.

Are Solar Panels Good For Your Roof

Many people worry about the damage their roof will suffer in the process of solar panel installations. But do they need to worry about the imaginary holes drilled into their roof?Brackets or solar shingles used to install solar panels, make the installation process effortless. Solar panels do not merely keep your electricity bill low, but they also come with some added benefits.

A cooler house

In addition to absorbing the suns rays, solar panels also reflect those rays and provide a break to thermal energy. The roofs covered by solar panels show an average drop of 5 degrees, keeping your cooling bill even lower.

Cost-effective

Once installed, the solar panels dont require much maintenance. They equally protect your roof from different weather conditions, making it cost-effective and helping you save money on roof repairs. Since installation rarely needs drilling, one saves enough money on further restoration of the attic in case of water leaks. The panels act as a shield for the roof, reducing weather-related damages and increasing its life.

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What Are The Costs Of Installing Solar Panels

The average cost to install solar panels is $15,000 to $25,000, depending on the size of your roof. To break it down further, according to EnergySage.com, The cost of solar panels as of July 2021 is about $19,300 after tax credits .

Likely, youll save more than this over the long run. While the exact figure depends on how much energy you generally consume and the average cost of electricity in your area, switching to solar power generally leaves you with a bill thats 20 percent the price of your previous ones. That number rises to 40 percent for homes with electric heating or air conditioning systems!

Better yet, state governments also offer tax incentives for those who install renewable energy systems like solar panels .

Can You Step On Solar Panels

Many homeowners who are planning to use solar panels as a roof have this question in mind. And it makes total sense. If you want to use the solar panels as a roof, just like a regular roof, there are times when youll need to walk on it to fix something. So, can you step on them?

This will depend on the specific product you are intending to use, but, in general, you should be able to step on them. Solar panels are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions as we showed in our post Can Solar Panels Withstand Hail?. So, a person stepping on it shouldnt be a problem.

Another great example are durability tests on the Solar Roof from Tesla. As you can see in them , these tiles are much more durable to impact than traditional roof tiles. By this logic, if you can step on traditional roof tiles, there shouldnt be a problem in stepping on solar panels.

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How Much Energy Does Your Home Need

According to the EIA, the average annual electricity usage in the United States is 10,715 kWh per household or nearly 900 kWh per month. This number can change depending on your homes size, how many people live there, and monthly usage. Your utility bill should be able to tell you your average kWh.

On average, one solar panel produces around 30kWh per month, which would take 30 panels to match the national average of 900 kWh. Of course, this number depends on how much sunlight is absorbed and how much wattage that ends up producing, but its a good ballpark estimate.

What Type Of Roof Do You Have

There are some types of roofing materials that are not ideal for solar panel installation. For example, asphalt, metal, and tile shingles work great with solar panel installation without damaging the shingles or roof. On the other hand, slate, wood, and clay tiles are not ideal roofs for solar panels.

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Are You Aware Of The Tax Incentives And Rebates

One of the best benefits youll receive by installing solar are the tax incentives and rebates from local power companies. At Sun Badger, we lay out these incentives as part of the payment plan for your solar panels. The money you save in taxes can go right towards your solar loan and help you pay it off it faster!

Power companies often offer rebates that encourage homeowners to install solar energy systems. Wed be happy to help you research and find more details on what your local power company is doing to make solar energy more affordable. Reach out to us today to get started!

Energy Services Assistant Account Manager

Spencer is the Scheduling Coordinator for the maintenance division, dealing mostly with homeowner contact and project scheduling.

He has worked in project management, and has experience in the roofing division of a home improvement company. New to the industry in April 2021, he is excited to be working in an industry that offers customers clean and efficient alternative options for power.

Spencer has an AA degree in Business Management from Howard Community College. He is an avid musician who plays guitar, ukulele, piano and bass, and also loves sports. A Baltimore native, he is a die hard Ravens fan, and was a season ticket holder for 15 years never missing a game. You could certainly call him a cinephile, as he has always had a love for classic films such as Jaws or The Godfather.

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Solar Doesnt Always Involve Holes In Your Roof

If youre still concerned about having holes in your roof to mount your solar panels, there are some less common ways to still benefit from rooftop solar energy. One popular option is to install solar roof tiles or solar shingles, which integrate the electricity-generating capacity of photovoltaics right into your roof shingles and eliminate the need for mounting traditional panels. While this option has many aesthetic benefits, costs are still high and the technology isnt as efficient as traditional panels.

If you have a flat roof, you wont need to put holes in it to install solar. Installations on flat roofs commonly use ballast mounting systems. With this type of system, the mounts are weighted down sufficiently to ensure the system remains secured to the roof. Another option to avoid solar on your roof entirely is to install a ground mount, or join a community solar plan and receive solar energy from an offsite location.

How Does Solar Roofing Affect The Roofs Longevity

The durability of a roof is dependent on the material used. This concise list will give you a rough idea.

• Asphalt shingles: 15-25 years
• Clay tiles: 50-150 years
• Copper roofs: 90-150 years

How will solar panels affect the lifespan of roofs? The short answer is it extends the life of the roof considerably if installed and maintained well. A little bit of explanation is needed here.

Typically roofs are exposed to the elements day in and day out, be it harsh sunlight or heavy rains, or snow. As rooftop solar panels take on the brunt of the weather conditions and wont allow them to reach the rooftops, the roofs stay protected.

Moreover, the gap between the roof and the solar panels prevents the roofs from getting too hot. Not only can this help extend the life of roofs, but it also keeps the interior of the home cooler. The panels also prevent damage to the roof from falling tree branches and other debris.

Falling snow, hail, or ice can also damage roofs if they are exposed to them but the rooftop solar panels act as a protective shield, keeping them from harm.

To conclude and answer the question, rooftop solar panels increase the lifespan of roofs.

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Why Do Solar Panels Have To Be On The Roof

Installing solar panels on your roof allows your home to directly use solar radiation and convert that energy into usable energy. The roof is the best place to place your panels. With the panels on the roof, you have the best chance of collecting undisturbed sunlight for optimal energy production.

Why Should You Install Solar Panels To The South

Solar panels that are facing south receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day, so they generate more electricity than those on the east or west side of your home.

When deciding where to install solar panels at your house, the south is usually considered best because it offers the highest returns in terms of energy production per square foot.

If you live in an area where the sun is fairly consistent throughout the year, you can expect to generate close to 30 percent more electricity than with panels facing east or west.

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Director Of Commercial Operations

Mr. Stahls father has been an electrician since 1975 so naturally, the electrical industry is in his blood. He began his career in the electrical industry at Local Union #24 in 2004 and transitioned to solar in 2013 with Astrum Solar.

Mr. Stahl served as Astrums lead electrician before being promoted to electrical design and project management in 2015. In 2017 Steve moved to New Columbia where he supervised all aspects of project execution including superintendent work, construction management, and project management. Steve leads Lumina Solars Commercial Operations team and is involved in every stage of the project, from development to construction to post-interconnection.

Mr. Stahl is NABCEP certified and has been approved for his MD Master electrical license.

Types Of Integrated Solar Panels

There are a variety of integrated Solar Panels to choose from. In-roof frames such as a GSE system or EasyRoof Evolution are the least expensive option. This is because any industry standard Solar Panel can be mounted to them.

Alternatively, there are bespoke in-roof systems which come at a price. For example Viridian,SolFit and GB-Sol. These integrated systems use Solar Panels which are made specifically for in-roof systems.

Of course, our team only installs the best in-roof Solar PV systems. Here at Deege Solar we install GSE Integration systems. There are several benefits to GSE In-roof solar panels including:

• Firstly, GSE in-roof systems are lightweight, watertight and are affordable.
• GSE in-roof systems are one of the most commonly used in-roof systems, able to fit around 90% of the Solar PV Panels in the UK.
• They are designed to be installed in either portrait or landscape and can easily fit all roof types with pitches between 12° 50° and also with wood or metal structures.
• As GSE systems are certified to MCS012, your Solar Panel system will still qualify for export payments.
• GSE Systems are extremely well manufactured. Formed out of 100% recyclable polypropylene, they are flexible, resilient to shock and temperature variations.
• Whats more, GSE In-roof systems offer a 10 years guarantee.

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