Are you considering installing solar panels on your home? If so, there are several things you need to consider first. While the style and cost of the solar panels you choose are probably the first consideration you look into and discuss, it’s also necessary to consider the composition and angle of your roofing, too.
Working with a reputable professional will ensure you have someone on your side dedicated to increasing the energy efficiency of your home and who wants to help make the transition to solar power as smooth as possible. A few things you should consider about your roof before investing in Kansas City solar panels can be found here.
The Proper Roof Angles
Is your home bathed in sunlight each day, throughout the year? If so, this is an ideal situation for solar panels. However, even if your home isn’t exposed to constant sunlight, you will still experience great results when you invest in solar power.
However, another factor that impacts the effectiveness of your solar panels is the pitch or the angle of your roof. This will determine if your panels will be installed flat on the roof’s surface or if they will be mounted at an angle. From a technological aspect, the proper angle for a roof with flat solar panels needs to be the same as the home’s latitudinal location. While this is true, anywhere between an angle of 30 and 45 degrees should be adequate to see energy savings.
The Direction of the Solar Panels
While it doesn’t take the knowledge of a rocket scientist to know that there are some parts of your home that get more light than others, the direction you install your solar panels is a rather controversial aspect of the installation. A general consensus is that you should have your solar panels installed in the direction that is most commonly exposed to the sun, which will usually be to the west or south.
The solar professional you hire can tell you the specific direction you should install your panels. This will ensure your solar panels can be as effective as possible.
The Right Roofing Materials
While most roofing materials are fine for the installation of rooftop solar panels, there are some materials that work better than others. When considering roofing companies in Kansas City, composite shingles are one of the most common roofing materials used due to their low cost and durability. If you are considering purchasing roof integrated/mounted solar panels, shingles, or tiles, you need to ensure that the installation company you have hired have contractor’s roofing insurance and can complete the job with the current roofing on your home to avoid leaks, gaps, or any other type of aesthetic or physical problem.
Keep in mind, before installing roof mounted solar panels, you need to make sure your roof does not need maintenance or replacement. If it does, make sure to invest in these updates before having the solar panels installed. This will ensure that no serious issues occur and that the solar panels can do their job of making your home more energy efficient.