Where should you install your solar panels?
To maximize their production, you’ll want to install your solar panels where they will be exposed to the most sunlight.
This is why rooftop installations are so popular. If for some reason, your roof isn’t suitable for solar panels, you can still go solar if you install the panels on the ground. For conditions to be absolutely perfect, your home would have a large, sunny, south-facing roof with a 30 degree pitch. But, you don’t need ideal conditions for solar to work for you. While these are the best conditions, there’s still plenty of wiggle room that will let you benefit from solar power. What’s important to remember is, solar panels can be installed on most roofs and you’ll be able to save a lot of money and help the environment, too.
Is solar suitable for where you live?
A lot of people wonder if where they live is sunny enough for solar. This really isn’t an issue. Most places in the U.S. that aren’t particularly sunny are still just fine for installing solar panels. It’s true that the more sunlight there is, the more electricity the solar panels will produce. But, solar is really about saving money and the sunniest places don’t always have the highest savings levels. How much money you will save is largely dependent on how high your electric rates are and what kind of rebates and incentives are available to you. This is why consumers located in northeastern U.S. can have significantly higher savings from solar power systems than consumers in sunnier states such as Florida. Keep in mind, though, people in Florida can still save quite a bit of money by installing solar.
Is your roof suitable for solar?
To determine if your roof if suitable for installing solar panels, you would want to consider the following factors:
Direction and pitch angle of the roof
In general, south facing roofs are best, but east and west facing roofs still allow you to produce enough energy to get rid of your electricity bills, save a lot of money and reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re roof isn’t a perfect 30 degree angle, solar panels will still work if the pitch is between 15 and 40 degrees. In fact, even if it’s flat, you can still go solar as long as you mount your panels at a good angle.
The size and shape of your roof
How big is your roof? Is it big enough for the panels you will need? Are there skylights, dormers, chimneys, or other things that break up the open space on your roof? It’s easiest to install panels on a large square roof. A general rule of thumb is that for each Kw of your system size, you will need about 100 square feet of roof space. A typical home system may require about 400 square feet of space to install solar panels. Keep in mind, that things like dormers, turrets and skylights will affect the amount of available space. Generally, solar installers can design the layout of the panels around these obstructions to maximize the production.
Shading on your roof
It is important that your roof gets enough sun throughout the day to maximize electricity production. Tall trees or tall building(s) may block the sun from hitting your roof – and that could be a problem. Shade from trees, however, is something you can work with. You can trim trees to let more sun hit your panels and, even though it might not seem environmentally friendly to remove them, it turns out that it actually is.
Age of your roof or how old it is
Solar panels can last for over 25 years so you’ll want to make sure that your roof is in good shape and won't need to be replaced in the near-term.
Is it flat or sloping
Flat roofs are fine. If your roof is sloped, the best angle is between 30 and 40 degrees. Keep in mind, that for panels to be self-cleaning, they should be at a minimum of 15 degrees. The maximum angle is 40 degrees (any steeper and performance will not be efficient).
Material of the roof
Solar panels are compatible with most roofing materials including composite, wood, cement tile, slate, tar and gravel, or metal. Slate and clay tile roofs can be prone to breakage so make sure that you have an experienced installer if your roof is made of these materials.
Who owns your roof
At first glance, this seems like a silly question to include. Most people considering installing solar PV own the property where it will be installed. As solar becomes more popular, however, more and more tenants are the initiators of solar installations, encouraging their landlords to consider this option. For tips on how to begin a discussion with your landlord, check out our blog “Can Renters Get In On Clean Energy’s Financial Benefits?”
https://www.energysage.com/solar/101/where-to-install
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