Solar panels are a great way to create an energy-efficient home. There are more options nowadays when it comes to style and options. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about installing solar panels on your roof.
1. Solar Panels vs. Solar Shingles
There are two common options that most homeowners choose when it comes to solar options. They both do the same thing, convert sunshine into electricity that powers your home with clean energy. Solar panels and solar shingles can end up saving you tons of money in the long run when it comes to energy costs.
Solar panels have been around for a long time and have improved over the years when it comes to aesthetics and efficiency improvements. Even though they still work the same, they require more than one installation. They have to also be installed by a solar company separate from your roofing company. Solar panels go over your existing roof.
Solar shingles only require one installation because they are installed much like a regular roof. They are installed like an architectural shingle and can be installed by a qualified roofer. Timberline Solar roofing system is made of an asphalt shingle that is combined with solar technology.
2. Return on Investment
There are actually online solar tools that can help you calculate how long it will take for your solar system to pay for itself. Since there are solar shingles, the cost of a solar roof can take the place of the cost of replacing or installing a new roof. Why? Because solar shingles come with solar already integrated. There will be only one installation cost and one material used on your roof.
This in turn makes it an addition to the long-term investment savings. You are saving on energy costs by powering your home from the natural sun. You can also gain federal incentives by installing solar panels or solar shingles. To see if you will qualify, visit https://www.dsireusa.org.
3. Roof Requirements
If you are adding solar to your existing roof, you need to make sure it is ready for solar. You will need to consider the existing roof location, condition, and age.
It would be a waste to add solar to a leaky roof. The existing roof’s condition can impact installation choices. It is never a good idea to put solar panels on an old roof. If you have to have any repairs done to the aging roof after solar panels are installed, then you will have to hire a solar contractor plus a roofing contractor.
4. Maintenance and Cleaning
Solar shingles age at around the same rate as regular roof shingles but solar shingles are lower in maintenance and do not require as much cleaning as a regular roof shingle. This also is true for solar panels. Natural soiling does occur but does not really impact energy production. In order to clean solar panels and solar shingles you just have to hose down or sweep debris from them.
5. Withstanding Weather
Ask the experts how solar solutions can hold up in different types of weather situations. They are built to withstand bad weather and the majority have warranties that will cover severe weather damage. Solar shingles in some occurrences are better at weatherproofing than solar panels. Sometimes secondary installation of solar panels on top of a roof can jeopardize your roof.
There are tons of advantages when it comes to solar roof solutions. GAF can link you to a GAF Certified Contractor who can help you with both your solar options and installation.
