Home Renewable Energy How your roof impacts your renewable energy opportunities

How your roof impacts your renewable energy opportunities

August 26, 2019

In 2016, solar energy was producing around 40 gigawatts of energy in the United states. That was enough energy to power 6,560,000 homes nationwide.

Today, solar energy has doubled its production across the country, and researchers are predicting it will double again before 2022. That’s why more homes than ever are making the switch and installing solar panels.

When deciding whether or not to go solar, many people use solar calculators, environmental concerns, and local tax credits to determine the impact that money and carbon saving can provide to their homes.

Once that’s been calculated, it’s time to consider your roofing concerns.

Whether you’re contracting the installation out to professional workers or doing it yourself, it’s important to factor in your roofing needs before installing panels.

For example, asphalt shingle and composite roofs are only designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you install panels onto an asphalt roof that’s already 15 years old, it may be most beneficial to replace your roof first before the panels are installed.

Tile and slate roofs can last between 30 and 50 years, but solar panel installation on roofs like this require more care. Most often, the tiles must be removed before the installation, and replaced after. Installations have been installed on top of them, but you risk cracking your tiles as the panels are drilled into them.

Last but not least, metal roofs are some of the best roofs for solar panel installations. Metal roofs typically require higher up-front costs, but they typically last between 40 and 70 years. However, solar installations on metal roofs cost less thanks to the ease of the project compared to a slate or tile roof.

Don’t want to deal with roof woes, but still want solar? You’re in luck! Solar panels can be installed in yards, and if that’s not an option for you, new community solar options are popping up all over the country.