Electricity is power and indispensable whether at home, in school, or office. This energy has been widely sourced from fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. Nuclear power is also one but its radioactive waste and high cost limited its expansion. Other emerging sources are hydrogen fuel cells, tidal and wave power, and battery storage systems. Many countries are shifting toward renewable resources especially to combat climate change. Some of these renewable energy sources are solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. But what is trending now is solar panels.
It’s the use of solar power that is growing in popularity worldwide. What is solar power? It is energy coming from sunlight and it’s renewable because it won’t run out as long as the sun is shining. It is also a clean source, producing no emissions that may harm the environment. The conversion of sunlight into electricity works through solar panels. But before you adopt solar panels in your homes, take into account that the roof type has a significant impact on its installation. Here’s how your roof may influence solar power:
Roof Material
One of the most solar-friendly are those roofs made of asphalt shingles. Panels can be easily mounted here with minimal adjustments. Also, standing seam metal roofs are ideal because the seams can be used to mount the panels without penetrating the roof. Leaks are prevented and installation time is reduced. However, a tiled roof increases installation time and cost since there is a need for special mounting brackets to prevent damage to brittle and breakable tiles. On the other hand, flat roofs require angled racks to tilt the panels toward the sun. Though it may incur additional costs, this roof offers flexibility in positioning the panels to maximize energy production. Meanwhile, wood or slate shingles are fragile and require a specialized mounting system that will be costly and time-consuming.
Roof Pitch
The slope of your roof affects the amount of sunlight that passes through the panels. A roof angle close to the latitude of your location is ideal but steep roofs may make installation more difficult and time-consuming. In steeper slopes, there may be a need for additional mounting equipment to keep the panels more secure.
Roof Orientation
Here in Australia, the ideal roof orientation is typically north-facing. This orientation maximizes sun exposure throughout the day. However, other orientations can also accommodate solar panels depending on specific energy needs that may require more panels to install. There are also micro-inverters to optimize energy production while minimizing shading impacts.
Roof Condition
Since the solar panel adds weight to your roof, the durability of the location is essential. Also, these panels typically last 25-30 years, and they require strong structure. So, roof repair or replacement may be necessary before the installation of the power source.
Roof Space
The available space will of course determine how many panels you can install. Knowing all these factors can prepare you for an alternative source of electricity, so now, you may proceed and check solar power installers in Melbourne.