You have a plan for solar panels and are ready to hire a contractor, but before you do, be sure your roof is in the best shape. If your roof isn’t up to the task, you could waste time, effort, and money.

Consider what materials you want in the new roof. There are a lot of choices that suit all sorts of styles of homes; QE Roofing in Franklin can help you decide on suitable roofing materials. Read to learn how to get your roof ready for solar panel installation.

Check Your Roof Condition

Your roof is the foundation of your solar panel installation. Ensure it’s in good condition and ready for solar panels.

Here are things to look for:

  • Age—Your roof should be less than 20 years old. It should not be damaged by storms or tree branches. If you have an older roof that has been damaged, replace it with a newer one.
  •  Check for leaks. If your roof has noticeable leaks, fix them before installing solar panels. It prevents any damage to the solar panels and ensures they last long.
  • Check for cracks and other types of damage. Check your roof for cracks, missing shingles, broken tiles, or other issues that could lead to further problems if left unaddressed. 
  • Check gutters and flashing. Are they in good shape? If not, they may need to be replaced before you install your solar panels. Gutters and flashing keep water from damaging your roof and causing leaks.
  • Inspect Your Roof’s Underlayment. The underlayment helps prevent moisture buildup between insulation layers within the roof itself. If there is any damage, moisture could get trapped inside your home instead of being released into the atmosphere as vapor through ventilation systems.

See If Your Roof Can Hold the Weight of Solar Panels

Before starting the solar roof tiles installation process, ensure that your roof can handle the weight of the panels. You’ll need to know how much each panel weighs and how many panels you plan on installing.

Additionally, check the strength of the roofing materials: shingles and asphalt tiles are lightweight but strong enough for most applications; clay tiles are heavy but may not be suitable in some climates due to their tendency toward cracking or warping.

Consider the Angle and Pitch of Your Roof

To maximize your solar panel’s output, you should look for a roof with a tilt of 15-40 degrees. It allows the sun’s rays to hit the entire surface area of your panels and maximize their efficiency.

Consider whether or not your roof is flat or pitched. A flat roof will be easier to work on than one that’s sloped. If you have a slanted roof, it will be more difficult for the crew to install the panels because they’ll need to deal with additional angles when attaching them to your home’s structure. You can use brackets that attach directly to your home instead of installing them into rafters or trusses. 

Consider the Direction Your Roof Faces

When installing solar panels, it is essential to consider how your roof faces. The direction your roof faces will influence the amount of energy you get from the sun, and you might want to consider making some changes so that your panels can produce more power.

If you live in a region with more sunshine, then south-facing roofs are ideal because they receive more direct sunlight throughout the year. However, if your roof faces a direction that doesn’t catch much sunlight, it will not produce as much energy.

Trim Your Trees

Before going solar, you must ensure that your roof is clear of tree limbs or other obstructions. While a tree may be beautiful and add to the aesthetic of your home, it can also cause problems when installing solar panels. The branches may block sunlight and prevent the panels from being efficient. To get your roof ready for solar panel installation, trim the branches off of trees close to your home.

Solar panels are powerful and great for the environment, but to get the most out of them, you need to be sure that your roof is up to snuff. Talk with a solar installation contractor near you and ensure you know everything necessary before installing solar panels!

While solar panels may seem like an expensive investment, they pay for themselves when you consider all the money you’ll be saving on your electric bill. If you’re serious about going solar, this is a necessary step in the process. And while getting your roof ready can seem intimidating, it’s quite a straightforward process.