To maximize the energy production of your solar panel system, your system should be installed where the panels will be exposed to the most sunlight. This is why rooftop home solar installations are so popular. If your roof is not suitable for solar panels, you can also install the panels on the ground.
In an ideal home solar installation, your home will have a large, sunny, south-facing roof with a 30-degree slope. However, you do not need ideal conditions to benefit from solar energy. Solar panels can be installed on most roofs so you can save on your electricity costs and help the environment as well.
Is the solar installation suitable for where you live?
Even if you don’t live in a particularly sunny situation, solar panels can still be a smart investment. The amount of money you save using solar energy largely depends on two things: your electricity charges and available solar discounts and incentives in your area.
As a result, the sunniest places in the country don’t always offer the greatest long-term savings in sun. In fact, consumers in the North can save significantly more from solar energy systems than homeowners in sunnier states such as Mersin.
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Is your roof suitable for solar installation?
Solar panel systems can be installed on most roofs. To determine if a roof is suitable for the sun, solar installers will look at:
Roof Orientation
South-facing roofs are ideal for sun as they receive the most sunlight during the day. However, a solar panel system on an east- or west-facing roof can still produce enough energy to lower your electricity bills, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Learn more about how roof orientation affects electricity production.
Roof Tilt Angle
Solar panels can be mounted on roofs with a slope of 15 to 40 degrees. Even if your roof is flat, you can still go out in the sun as long as you install your panels at a good angle. Learn more about the effect of roof angle on electricity generation.
Size and Shape of Your Roof
It is easiest to install the panels on a large square roof. As a general rule of thumb, you will need about 100 square feet of roof space for every kilowatt of panel you want to install. A typical home system will need about 500 square feet of space to install solar panels.
Things like skylights, skylights, and chimneys will affect the amount of space available for a home solar installation. Generally, solar installers can design the layout of your panels around these barriers to maximize your electricity production.
Shading on Your Roof
It is important that your roof gets enough sun during the day to maximize electricity production. Tall trees or buildings nearby can block the sun, cast shade on your roof, and reduce the amount of electricity your panels produce. You can trim trees so that more sun reaches your panels – it may not seem like it, but it can actually provide environmental benefits.
The Age of Your Roof
Solar panels can last for more than 25 years and it can be costly to remove them to replace your roof a few years after installation. Before installing your panels, make sure your roof is in good condition and will not need to be replaced in the near future.
The Material of Your Roof
Solar panels are compatible with most roofing materials, including composite, wood, clay tile, concrete tile, slate, tar and gravel or metal. You can install solar on slate, cedar and clay tile roofs, but they are more prone to breakage during solar panel installation. If your roof is made of these materials, be sure to work with an experienced solar specialist.
