One of the preliminary steps to undertake before installing a rooftop PV solar power system is to figure out your roof’s potential! You need to determine whether your property has the appropriate foundation for your panels in order to maximise the efficiency of your system. That’s why the team at Energis has put together a list of the 5 signs you’ve got a great roof for solar panels. Here are the following signs to look out for:
Roof Orientation
Your roof orientation will determine which direction your solar panels will face. In Australia, the ideal facing of your solar panels is North, as this is optimum for sun exposure. All properties located in the Southern Hemisphere should ideally position solar panels to face north. However, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, your panels should be positioned in the south for the best performance. If you live in Australia and you do not have a north-facing roof, don’t worry! Your property may still generate great energy yields and be suitable for the addition of solar panels.
Roof Type
In Australia, the most common residential roof type is either tin or tile. Generally, tin is the most affordable to install a solar power system on. Just like Colourbond, tin is also very easy to drill into, making the installation process very straight forward. As for tiled roofs, there may be a few hurdles that could add costs to your installation. When installing a solar power system onto a tile roof, there is a potential for the tiles to break (or crack) when drilling or stepping on them. At Energis, our installers will ensure any broken or cracked tiles are replaced! Other materials that shouldn’t pose any hurdles include rubber, metal and clay tiles which are also suitable for solar panels.
Pitch
Another sign you’ve got a great roof for solar panels is a 10 degree above the horizontal pitch. This is the optimal angle for a roof when installing a solar power system as it prevents rain and other dirt from accumulating over time. Naturally, you cannot change the angle of your roof, however, there are multiple options to include tilt frames when considering the mounting of your panels. The team at Energis will help you calculate the best angle and configuration of your panels to ensure the best possible performance and efficiency of your system.
Roof Size & Age
Despite solar panels being light in weight, an average system of 6.6 kW, with 325W panels will need 20 panels. Therefore, the more space on your roof, the better. However, it is very important to have your roof assessed prior to installation. At Energis, our engineers will inspect your property to ensure your roof will be strong enough for the system size that you desire and will fit the number of panels required. Commonly, if you have 10 to 15 years left in your roof’s lifecycle, there is no need to replace your roof before installing a solar power system. In the case that your roof may not be strong enough to hold a system, additional frame structures can be installed.
Shade
I’m sure you already know, but solar panels only function when sunlight is directly shining on them. If there are tall trees or shrubbery at your property that causes shading to your roof, you may have to either cut down your precious trees or consider choosing microinverters instead of traditional string inverters to maximise the performance despite having shade (see article here for more information on Solar Edge optimizes).
At Energis, we focus on bringing customers top-quality products and services. We only work with the most respected manufacturers and Tier 1 panels and experienced CEC Approved Installers.
With over 10 years in the industry, Energis has demonstrated its commitment to industry best practice and is a CEC Approved Solar Retailer. This ensures the best possible standard of solar PV installation.
