These days, the use of solar panels is more widespread than it has ever been. The advancement of solar technology has made it possible for more people to purchase these panels. In addition, there is a need for solar technology that is difficult to ignore because of the growing interest in environmentally friendly products. Solar panels are currently being installed on a growing number of private houses and commercial buildings across the United States; however, not all rooftops are ideal for solar panel installation.
There are certain roofing materials that function better than others when it comes to accommodating them; therefore, in the event that you are considering installing solar panels on your home, let’s have a look at the roofing materials that work the best for doing so.
- Asphalt
It is likely that you will have to install solar panels on your roof if you do not have enough room on your property to accommodate a system that is positioned on the ground. Solar panels should be installed on the roof if at all possible because this surface is less likely to be shaded by surrounding vegetation or structures.
Fortunately, asphalt shingles, which are the most prevalent type of roofing material, are also compatible with solar panels in a way that’s both effective and attractive. The standard asphalt shingle is hard enough to sustain the weight of a solar panel installation while yet being flexible enough to accommodate the load. The installation of solar panels on an asphalt shingle roof is a rather straightforward process.
Following the drilling of studs into the top surface of the roof, the solar panels are next placed on top of those studs. After that, flashing is used to seal off any gaps that may exist between the studs and the shingles on your roof in order to prevent any water from getting inside your attic. Installers of solar panels will find this to be one of the quickest and easiest processes to do in their work.
- Tile
Solar panels can be installed on concrete, slate, or clay tiles with no problems. You will need to have the tiles removed from the area in which the feet of the solar panels are going to be installed; however, this is a simple process that will not in any way slow down the process of installing the solar panels.
Because of some of the additional labor that is required, the cost of installing solar panels on these kinds of roofs is a little bit higher, but after the installation is finished, you can anticipate that both your roofing and solar panels will survive for a significant amount of time afterward.
- Metal
Solar panels also perform quite well when installed on top of metal roofs, which are another sort of roofing material. The procedure of installing a standing seam metal roof makes for a rather straightforward installation, in particular. There is typically no need for any drilling when attaching solar panels because they are normally fastened to the standing seams themselves.
Because of this, there will be no need for any additional flashing, which will also result in a reduction in the overall cost of labor. Because it cannot catch fire under any circumstances, metal is considered to be one of the most fire-resistant materials currently available for use in roofing. This is an additional benefit to consider in the event that your panels catch fire for whatever reason because of a malfunction.
- Tar and gravel
Asphalt roofs are comparable to tar and gravel roofs, however tar and gravel roofs often have a much more horizontal pitch. It may be necessary to acquire some additional hardware in order to tilt the panels to a 30 degree angle and maintain them in that position; however, this often does not significantly drive up the cost of installation.
In addition, tar and gravel roofs typically contain additional layers of asphalt, which serve as helpful support for the solar panels themselves. This is another reason why tar and gravel roofs are typically a good choice for installing solar panels. This additional asphalt goes a great way toward preventing leaks and cracks in your roof, which is another important benefit of using it.
Things to consider when Installing Solar Systems
When deciding whether or not to install solar panels, there are a number of factors to take into consideration in addition to the material that your roof is made of. Although these panels can be installed on virtually any kind of roof and roofing material, there are some materials that aren’t as well suited for the purpose as others are.
For example, cedar shake shingles are extremely delicate and have a high propensity to shatter throughout the installation process. In addition to this, they are not very watertight and present a significant risk of fire. Roofs that have solar panels attached to them have an increased risk of experiencing fires if the panels were not placed correctly or if they were damaged in any manner.
Because of this, we strongly advise opting with one of the four choices that were presented in this article in order to guarantee the highest possible levels of longevity and security. The pitch of your roof is another factor that may affect the level of difficulty and expenses of the installation.
Surprisingly, sloped roofs are ideal for solar panels because the majority of panels need to be tilted at an angle of approximately 30 degrees in order to assist the production of the maximum amount of electricity. However, in order to maintain the panels inclined in the correct direction, additional hardware is typically required when using flat roofing.