Anybody who has tried to grow tomatoes on a porch knows the amount of sunlight varies spot by spot around a home or yard. And while hours of daylight are crucial for all of those plants, it’s even more critical when the Sun is powering a home and harvesting the energy out of the sky. Determining where to put the panels sets up success in solar.
Size
The first question to answer is, “Does the home have enough roof space?” Although it may seem at first glance that any roof on a home would have the space, there are several considerations. The area has to be open and not obscured by trees or other buildings. Even though hybrid solar panels can still collect energy during rainy or cloudy days, the outright shade will significantly decrease the power output of solar panels.
Slope
After investing in solar panels, one of the worst things is if they slide off the roof and smash onto the ground. Luckily, solar professionals will determine if the slope or pitch of any home can sustain those panels. Between 30 and 40 degrees of slope is the sweet spot for solar, and it might take a little bit of high school algebra, but the solar panel professionals can determine if the roof is right. Since the Sun moves through the sky, the ideal roof will be sloped adequately and have enough exposure to the directionality of the Sun based on the home’s geographical location.
Material And Age
If a roof is a year or two from being replaced, it’s probably not a good candidate for solar power from both a structural and logistical perspective. Panels installed on a roof will have to be removed for the roof to be replaced or repaired, which will add labor costs to the roofing repair, and the panels may be damaged in the process. Also, solar panel professionals may advise against installing solar panels onto easily breakable roofing material, like terra cotta tiles or wood shake shingles.
Since most homes and the solar panels on them are static, placement is essential. Unlike panels that move with the Sun, each panel on a home roof has a limited capacity based on various factors. However, many homes are suitable for solar panels, and a local professional can help determine the best solar strategies.