Installing Solar Panels On Older Shingles

The most common type of roofing material in use in the united states are asphalt shingles.

Installing solar panels on older shingles.

If your roof is between five and 10 years from needing replacement it s a good idea to get an expert out there to assess. The wiring will later attach to each shingle and then to your energy generation source. Photovoltaic shingles are known as bipv. Solar panels block rain and protect the roof from years of consistent sunlight.

Drill holes for the solar wiring the wiring comes with your roof shingle material. They vary in expense and quality and come with warranties as brief as 10 years or as long as 50 years or even lifetime warranties. The tesla solar panel roof tiles released in 2018 has changed the game for solar shingles because they replace a whole roof. If you re not sure have a roofer perform an inspection before you install solar panels.

However if you have obstructions like dormers on your roof those areas of the roof will provide less area for panel. For standing seam roofs the solar panels simply clamp onto the seam where two panels are connected. You will need to weave the solar wiring throughout the surface of the area you are covering. When installing conventional solar panels on asphalt shingles the solar panels are simply bolted through the shingles to the roof joists providing a very strong sturdy attachment.

Obstructions also make the installation more challenging and often create shade in mornings and afternoons when the sun is lower in the sky. However if instead of architectural shingles you happen to have 3 tab shingles and your roof is already five years old or even older then installing solar panels may not be such a smart move for you because chances are your solar panels will last longer than the roof itself. Though unless you plan to get solar powered roofing tiles photovoltaic shingles solar panels are not a replacement for your roof. You ll need to weigh the convenience with the cost to see if it s a better option to just replace the roof before the panels go up.

While you may be able to squeeze out a few extra years on an older roof the best scenario for installing solar panels is on a roof that is in good condition and will not need replacement for a while. Having solar panels on your home will actually reduce some of the wear on the shingles. Before you install solar panels consider having your roof evaluated to make sure it can withstand installation especially if the roof is towards the end of its life.