Rooftop Solar Panels: Things to Consider

Rooftop solar panels are becoming mainstream options for consumers looking to reduce their power bills, as well as their environmental footprint. Solar panels have been around for a while, but technological improvements have led to falling costs and rising installations. Installing rooftop solar panels can cost as much as a buying a new car, so here are a few things to consider before making such a big investment.

Does your roof have a favorable solar window?

This is the most important question to ask before installing rooftop solar panels. While Florida is known as the “Sunshine State,” that does not mean your roof receives a sufficient amount to sunshine for solar roofing. Some roofs are covered in shade for most of the day throughout the year, and may not have a favorable solar window to justify the costs of rooftop solar panels. If you are unable to solve the shade issue by trimming or removing trees, then rooftop solar panels are a non-starter.

You should also consider the future of your yard, especially its landscaping and treescaping. If your roof is currently unobstructed, but you’ve planted an orchard’s worth of leafy trees, then you might have some trouble in the future when it comes to your solar window.

Can your roof support solar panels?

Assuming you do have a suitably sunlit rooftop, then the next important step is to ensure that your roof is in great shape structurally. Modern solar panels have warranties upwards of 20 to 25 years. Most roofs in Florida must be replaced every 10 to 20 years, depending on the roofing material, maintenance, and weather–hurricanes, heat and rain can severely shorten the life of a roof.

If you expect to replace or repair your roof within a few years, it may be easier and more economical to do so before installing rooftop solar panels. If not, you would have the extra headache, time and cost of having to disconnect and remove the solar panels during the roof repair or renovation.

Free rooftop solar panels pre-installation consultation

If you are considering installing rooftop solar panels, contact Industrial Commercial Roofing for a free pre-installation roof inspection. We will be happy to help you determine if you need to repair or replace your roof before going solar.