[How To]: 5 Easy Ways To Know Your Roof Is Ready For Solar Panels

 

Solar panels have become a very popular trend in renewable energy. The technology used to be too expensive in the past, but technological advancements and the easier availability of solar panel technology are making it more accessible to business owners worldwide.

Switching to solar energy is not just good for the environment. The investment can result in significant cost savings for you because it decreases your reliance on the main electricity supply to your building.

It is an exciting decision to finally make the shift to solar energy. Installing solar panels on your roof is also a sizable investment, and you need to ensure that you do everything to get the best value for money with your investment in solar energy. Before you decide to contact a solar panel provider to install the new system, it is necessary to ensure that your building’s roof is ready for solar panel installation.

What To Do Before Switching To Solar

While your roof might be functional as it is right now, it might not be in the best condition to properly house solar panels to get the best out of your investment. Here are some of the things we highly recommend doing before you get a quotation from your solar panel provider.  

Solar companies can help you make good decisions regarding your new solar panel installation. However, not all of them have the proper training to prepare your roof for the installation process. So, let’s dive right into the 5 Ways to Ensure Your Roof is Ready Before Installing Solar Panels.

1. Find a trusted commercial roof contractor.

We recommend working with a trusted local roof contractor to inspect the roof for any damage, flaws, or weak spots that could cause trouble in its ability to support the weight of the panels. It is also more challenging to get any reparation and maintenance work done once the panels are installed on the roof.

It is better to get it in good shape before you install the solar panels.

2. Consider Getting Roof Replacement Or A Roof Restoration Done

Many roofing companies strongly recommend getting your roof replaced before you install solar panels. Getting a new roof before installing the panels ensures that the new roof can comfortably support its weight. Additionally, it can ensure that crucial vents, fittings, and antennae are out of the way for your new solar panels.

Replacing the roof before installing the solar panels also gives you a fresh start. You can be sure that there is no hidden damage or flaws in the roof, lowering the risk of future damage or replacement. 

Additionally, You may not even need to replace your roof as it may qualify for restoration.

Bundling a Cool Roof and Solar Panels adds savings on the initial investment. Roofing is an essential factor in reducing energy costs. The money you save on electricity pays for your new roof. Typical electricity bill savings can range from 50-80% of your bill. These dollars can go straight to the bottom line or be used to pay for a financed new roof project.

3. Make Sure There’s No Shade Covering Solar Panels

Many office buildings rely on using trees on their property to cast a shadow on the roof and prevent heat damage. If you are planning on installing solar panels, you will need all the sunlight that you can get for your roof.

Installing the solar panels will provide better protection for your roof against damage from sunlight.

Make sure that the area your solar panels will occupy on the roof is not covered by trees that cast a shadow on the panels during peak energy-gathering hours. The more exposure your solar panels get, the better service the system can offer.

4. Clean any debris from the roof

While most solar company professionals will do this for you when they are installing the new solar panel system, it is better to take care of this aspect yourself. Clearing the roof of any debris, broken branches, leaves, and other debris can save considerable time when the solar panel installation begins.

5. Ensure Proper Inspection & Maintenance

The current routine for inspections and preventive maintenance on your roof will no longer work when you install a solar panel system. With solar panels taking up a lot of space on the roof, it will no longer be as easy to inspect your roof for damage, proper drainage, and ventilation.

Getting your roof inspected by professional roofers and ensuring that they take care of preventive maintenance can help you prolong the lifetime of your roof and prevent any damage to your solar panels. Be prepared to inspect your roof more regularly to ensure that no pesky pests are hiding on the roof under the solar panels.

Ideally, we would recommend hiring professional roofers to conduct inspections once or twice a year on the roof and take care of any preventive maintenance to get the best out of your solar system. A professional roofer with experience has a better understanding of how to properly inspect roofs with solar panels and how to take care of the otherwise simple maintenance work.

Conclusion

With anything, there are pros and cons to everything. Solar Panels are no different.

Solar panels reduce your dependency on the local power grid. If the power goes out due to a storm or another issue, you’ll still have electricity. You’ll be able to keep your business running and your customers comfortable at times when your competitors can’t.

While the cost of purchasing and installing commercial solar panels may seem off-putting, there are ways to reduce your expenses. Manufacturers and utility providers often offer rebates that let you quickly recoup some of your investment. Federal and state tax breaks for energy-efficient equipment help also lower your total expenses.

 

It’s also important to note, that solar panels decrease your dependence on your electrical company, they increase your dependence on the weather, which is even less predictable. Cloudy days reduce the system’s efficiency, and too many in a row can leave you with higher power bills than you expected. If your building is surrounded by tall trees or buildings, your system may never reach its full potential efficiency so be sure to check for these types of things along with the other 5 things previously mentioned to be sure you get the most out of your solar panels.

 

All in all, Solar panels make for a great energy-efficient option, and pairing it with  Title 24 Cool Roof creates a  multi-layered approach is for an energy-efficient cost-reducing commercial building.

 

We Are Here To Help

Making the decision to invest in a solar panel system for your building is one of the most significant investments that you can make as a property owner. Installing solar panels provides you with several benefits, and you need to make sure that you protect your investment so that you can get the most out of it in the long run.

At Central Roofing, we understand the importance of installing a solar system and ensuring that nothing goes wrong with the installation. You can rely on us to work with you to prepare your roof for installing a solar system to help you get the best out of your investment and increase its effective lifespan.

If you need the help of roofing specialists to prepare your roof for solar installation, reach out to us today. Our professionals will come in for a free onsite inspection and discuss the best course of action for your project to ensure that you get the best value for money through our roofing services.