Canadians are getting on board with solar more than ever. With so many financial and environmental benefits, there’s no denying the widespread demand for solar panel installations within the last few years.
Naturally, the decision to install solar panels can come with many questions, especially regarding system cost and long-term savings. Two key points we look at when calculating your solar potential are consumption history and productive roof space.
Looking at your roof is one of the first steps to determining how much savings you can get from your solar investment. So how do we define what a productive roof is?
Roof Material
Asphalt roofs are the most common and one of the best for installing solar panels along with tile and metal roofs because of their durability. On the other hand, wood and slate roofs are harder to install on top of due to their brittleness.
Roof Angle and Orientation
One of the most important aspects of understanding productive roof space is observing the angle and direction of your roof. South-facing roofs angled at 30 to 45 degrees do a better job of capturing direct sunlight, meaning more energy to convert into usable electricity for your home.
Although a south-facing roof is ideal, east and west-facing roofs can also support a system and generate decent power.
More productive roof space equals additional savings because you won’t need as many panels to generate enough electricity for your household needs.
Roof Age
We conduct a site assessment to check whether your roof is in good condition before installing. We always recommend replacing your shingles first if we notice your roof is at the end of its lifespan to avoid any future inconveniences. If shingles need to be replaced soon after installing solar panels, the cost of removing and reinstalling the panels will fall on the homeowner. We provide a thorough inspection so homeowners can better understand how to plan for their solar installation and avoid additional costs.
Reroofing
Reroofing is the process of installing a new layer of shingles on top of your old ones. The new shingle layer adds extra weight, which might not be sustainable with solar panels on top. It’s crucial to thoroughly examine every part of your roof to ensure it can hold the weight of a new system.
Roof Shading
Even the perfect roof won’t produce as well if there’s a lot of shading around. Shading can be caused by nearby buildings or trees that obstruct direct sunlight from hitting your panels during the day. When designing a system, it’s best to avoid shaded areas to maximize your solar production.
Join Polaron for Full Transparency
Not sure if your roof qualifies? We’re here to help. Get a free quote with us, and we’ll check how much productive roof space you have. With Polaron, you can start enjoying incredible solar savings earlier than you think!
Sources:
