Rooftop Solar Panels
Roof top solar panels are solar panels that are mounted on the roof of your house. There are many advantages of putting your new solar panels on your roof. As I will explain below.
Advantages of Installing Rooftop Solar Panels
Roof top solar panels are actually cheaper to install than ground mounted ones!This may seem a little backwards at first but it makes sense when you think about it. If you decide to mount the panels at ground level then you have to build a base for it to sit on. Not so with a roof mounted system as it just bolts on to the support structures of your roof.
Efficient use of otherwise wasted spaceAs you probably know, most people only use their roofs to keep the water off their heads when it rains so why not use it to make you money.
Out of sight and out of mindThe great thing about a roof mounted solar system is that is out of the way and thus, apart from a stray cricket ball, small natural disaster or large hailstones, will be safe from damage.
Will add value to your home without reducing the amount of backyard that you have.All solar systems will add value to your home, however having a ground mounted array may interfere with kiddies soccer games and the like. Not a big issue but still something to think about.
Where are the Restrictions?
So now you know all about the advantages of rooftop solar panels, but unfortunately for us there are some restrictions when it comes to roof mounting. The biggest ones are the amount of space that you have on your roof and which way it faces or the orientation.
Why does it matter which way my roof faces?Well unfortunately, the high efficiency monocrystalline solar panels don't work as well when not pointed north at an angle of 30 degrees. If your roof faces completely east or west then these high efficiency solar panels aren't for you. Luckily the newer amorphous thin film solar panels don't have this orientation constriction but they are only about a third as efficient so you are going to need more panels and thus more space.
Space RestrictionsSpace is often a big restriction on the size of your solar array. If you want to install a 10 kW system on your roof but there is only enough space on your roof for a 5 kW system then there is little that you can do aside from getting a bigger roof or install it on the ground.
So know you know all about rooftop mounted solar panel arrays. I hope this helps in you in deciding what is best for you.
Note: Please note that this website cannot give you specific numbers on solar panel installation costs, REC's discount, estimated gross outputs or technical details specifically for your home or business solar panel installation. Get free quotes from solar installers in your area and you can get all of these details.