What Types Of Roofs Are Compatible With Solar Panels?

The average American home has more than enough space to install a sufficient number of solar panels to power electrical loads. While the availability of space might not be a concern, another area that you need to think about is the type of roof that your house has. If you are planning to install solar panels on your roof, you need to be aware of how different roof types can influence the process and whether your roof is compatible with solar panels. While solar panels can be easily installed on almost any form of roofing, it doesn’t mean that they will all supply the same amounts of electricity. After all, several factors can affect the efficiency of a solar panel. For example, solar panels that are angled at 30 degrees and have a South or Southwest orientation provide optimal performance. On the other hand, flat roofs may make use of adding brackets to achieve optimal angles. Read on to learn more about the different types of roofs and how they affect solar panel use.

Tile Roofing

Being one of the most common types of roofing in the United States, tile roofing itself can be made up of many different materials. As such, homeowners must find out what materials their tiles are made of before going ahead with the installation of solar panels. The material will not only affect the cost of installation, but also the distance that panels will be raised on the material. All tile roofs will need to be attached to brackets that lift the panels above the roof.

Composite Roofing

Another type of roofing commonly spotted in every neighborhood is composite roofing. Composite roofs are ideal for installing solar panel brackets and bring about many benefits such as a more affordable installation cost, durability, as well as flexibility.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs that have standing seams are essentially the most ideal type of roof for installing solar panels. Not only do the standing seams make attachment of panels easy, but installation will also come at a cheaper cost. With metal roofs, there is no need to drill holes into your roof. Metal roofs are capable of reflecting significant amounts of sunlight, including those that are not absorbed by solar panels, leading to a cooling effect.

Other Roof Types

Regardless of which roof types you have, there will surely be a way to install solar panels. Even if the roof type is not compatible, workarounds such as bracket installation. The best way to determine how suitable your roof is for installing a solar panel is through engaging professional solar power services like Solar Energy Solutions of America (SES). If you have been thinking of installing solar panels for your home or business, then SES might just be what you are looking for. Here at SES, we not only offer expert solar panel installation and maintenance services at competitive prices, but we also ensure that our products are of the best quality and that they can last for decades of use. Get a free estimate from us today!