Are you considering transforming your energy consumption? With energy prices going up, it makes sense to look for alternatives. This is precisely why more homeowners are considering generating their electricity.Â
Solar panels are becoming a popular choice in the US for energy-conscious homeowners. Naturally, when you decide to add solar panels to your home, many questions come up. The first one you must address is how to install solar panels on the roof safely.Â
Our team at District Roofing is happy to walk you through the essential steps.
How to Install Solar Panels on Roof – Requirements
Before you can even consider placing solar panels on your roof, you need to clarify essential prerequisites. A successful solar panel setup will depend on three key factors:Â
- Your roof orientation and elevation
- How much shade your roof receivesÂ
- How strong your roof is
When it comes to roof orientation, you want to maximize sunlight exposure. The ideal orientation is within 90 degrees of the south. Solar panels need a 40-degree elevation (from horizontal) to produce energy efficiently throughout the year.Â
Solar panels work even in shady conditions; however, if your roof is frequently in the shade, it can affect how much energy it produces. With that said, you will need to mitigate shade issues using micro-inverters.Â
Standard solar panels weigh around 40 pounds each. The average US household needs between 10 and 20 solar panels, up to 800 pounds on your roof. Can your roof take the extra load?Â
How to Install Solar Panels on Roof Step-By-Step Guide
If you install solar panels on your home roof yourself, you want to invest in a safety kit. This kit will include a safety harness and roof brackets. Roof brackets will give you a stable platform to stand on the roof and protect your roofing materials from damage.Â
To safely carry the solar panels up, you must build scaffolding around your house. Along with this preparatory step, preparing the roof for the panels is essential. This means building the foundation for solar panel mounts using roof anchors and rafters.Â
You can then secure each solar panel to the mounting system. Ensure they are correctly aligned and connected to inverters that convert direct current into electricity. For your safety, it’s best to let professional engineers wire the inverters.Â
Further electrical steps are required in your home to create a usable solar system, including connecting the inverter to a fuse board and adding a storage battery instance.Â
Commun Issues to Avoid When Installing Solar Panels on Roof
Ideally it would help if you worked with a professional to determine the structural strength of your roof. The last thing you need is to discover too late that solar panels are too heavy for the roof.Â
It is possible to process with a DIY solar panel installation; however, DIY installations are at high risk of safety issues and expensive roof and solar panels damage. We advise our customers to contact experts to avoid unnecessary problems. Are you ready to embrace solar energy? Contact District Roofing to ensure a high-end service respectful of your roof and your panels.
