What’s The Best Roof For Solar Panels? All You Need To Know…

If you are thinking about going solar, one of the first steps to take is to find out whether or not your roof is suitable for a solar panel system.

Nowadays, rooftop solar panel installations are very popular because they maximize the available space on your property and are also cheaper than a typical ground-mounted system. 

However, whether your roof is suitable for a solar panel system largely depends on some factors, including your roofing material. The best roofing material is one that will last long to support your solar panel systems and ensure your solar system remains stable for optimal performance. 

So, we created this article to give you a heads-up on the best roof for solar panels. We also provided answers to some commonly asked questions regarding roof designs and roof color. 

Let’s dive in!

Best Roof Direction For Solar Panels: South

Best Roof Color For Solar Panels: a light color like pale blue or white

Best Roof Angle For Solar Panels: between 30-45 degrees

Best Flat Roof Material For Solar Panels: asphalt shingle roof

Best Solar-Type Roof Design: The two solar-type roof designs are flat and pitched designs

Roof Requirements For Solar Panels: Your roof should support the weight of the solar panels and should have enough sun exposure

Minimum Roof Pitch For Solar Panels: about 30 degrees

What type of roof is best for solar panels?

Solar panels and metal roofs

If you have a metal roof and the roofing material is light in color, you’re already a step ahead in your journey to install a solar panel system. Metal roofs are made of recycled materials, making them one of the best types of roofs for solar panel systems. They can last up to 30 years, provided there’s no physical damage as a result of falling objects. They are energy efficient, eco-friendly, and non-flammable.

However, installing solar panels on this roof type requires different racking equipment and a slightly different skillset. That’s why it’s super important that you choose an installer that has the experience with working on metal roofs. But if your metal roof comes with standing seams, the installer won’t need to drill any holes in your roof. The solar panels will sit directly on the seams, lowering installation costs.

A metal roof with standing seams is a good reflector of sunlight. It lets you install both standard PV and film solar panels and cause a cooling effect to keep your solar system efficient all year round.

Solar panels and shingle roofs

Shingle roofs are very common among homeowners, and for a good reason: they are flexible, durable, and very affordable. Like metal roofs, they can also last up to 30 years depending on where you live and the quality of the shingles. Whenever you are ready to install a solar panel on shingle roofs, it’s important that you go for high-quality shingles, so your solar panels don’t outline the roof.

As it is readily available, solar panel installers should find it easy to install solar panels on shingle roofs. During installation, the installer will drill studs on the roof where the solar panels will sit on. There are usually gaps between the shingles and the stubs, so the installer will seal the gaps and also use a metal plate known as “flashing” to cover the gaps to prevent water infiltration.

Solar panels and tile roof

Tile roofs are common in locations with hot climates. They are made of concrete, slate, and clay. They have more range in appearance and are more aesthetically pleasing than other roof types. They can last over a century; meaning, they will outlive your solar system with proper maintenance.

However, tiled roofs are typically more expensive than shingle roofs but cheaper than their metal counterparts. The installation process is usually a bit more difficult. While clay tile is usually very resilient, it’s not so with people walking on it. With an inexperienced installer, you can risk the tiles breaking and damaging the roof. Also, the installment costs are higher since the terrain of the roof is more demanding.

Solar panels on tar and gravel roof

Tar and gravel roofs support solar panel installation because they are energy efficient and reflect a vast amount of sunlight. They are easy to repair whenever damage occurs and can last up to 30 years.

However, one drawback that you may likely experience with this type of roofing material is that their design is usually flat, so you will need extra hardware like tilt bracks for your solar panels to sit on to receive optimal sunlight. The additional hardware will no doubt increase labor costs.

Although maneuvering on tar and gravel roofs to get work done is easy, consider hiring an experienced installer if you are lack any solar panel installation yourself.

The best roof materials for solar panels

Roofing materials have come a long way, with most of them designed to work well with solar panels. The best roof materials for solar panels are those that will support your solar panels to outlive their 25-warrantied life or longer. They are also anything that will support your solar system to remain stable for optimal performance.

That said, the best roof materials for solar panels depend on your own unique situation; your budget for roofing, your aesthetic preferences, your location, and how much you are willing to spend on a solar system.

What is the best roof design for solar – flat or pitched?

The best roof design for solar is a slightly pitched roof of over 40 degrees. This angle will enable the roof to receive optimal sunlight.

What type of roof is not good for solar panels?

A wooden roof is the worst type of roof to use for solar panels. If you have a roof made of wood, you either need to look into ground-mounted solar installations or reroof your building.

Should I get a new roof before installing solar panels?

You can still install a solar panel system if your roof is old but not worn out. However, whenever you decide to replace the roof, you will end up paying for the labor to re-install or uninstall the solar system. If you have a worn-down roof, we suggest you get a new roof first before installing solar panels. Some installers even offer both services, so you can take advantage of this to save costs.

What color roof is best for solar panels?

A light color is the best color roof for solar panels and the reason is that it reflects more sunlight, which helps to increase the output of the panels.

How do I know if my roof is strong enough for solar panels?

One way to know if your roof is strong enough to support the additional weight of solar panels is to engage a third-party architect or structural engineer to evaluate your building and the solar system. The architect or structural engineer will provide you with a certified letter stating their approval if your roof can support the weight of the panels. Otherwise, they will recommend what needs to be done to install solar panels on your roof.

Let’s recap: Can solar panels go on any roof?

There you have it! Solar panels can go on any roof to enable you to generate clean energy for your domestic use. The best roof for solar panels is one that can firmly support the panels to outline their warrantied years. The four roof types that we examined in the article are all great, but the best among them is the metal roof.

Matthew

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