Are Solar Panels Bad For Your Roof?


Are Solar Panels Bad For Your Roof?

Solar installations have seen a steady rise over the last ten years and it doesn’t look like sales and installation will slow anytime soon. Chances are that if you don’t already have solar power at your own home or office, you most likely know someone who does.

Many homeowners will ask if solar panels are bad for your roof, usually in regards to holes or water leaks, or if solar panels will protect your roof.

If you are thinking about solar power and worried about how it will affect your roof, you will be happy to know that rather than damage your roof, solar panels can offer a small layer of protection and may even help your roof increase the value of your home or business.

Can Solar Panels Protect My Roof:

The Cooling Effects of Solar Panels

Since solar panels are above the roof, they help keep the roof cool from the harsh rays of the sun. They do this by absorbing the sunlight that would otherwise fall directly onto the roof. There is also a space between the panels and the roof where air can flow to help cool underneath the panels. Since the solar panels effectively act like a shade tree over the roof, they not only help keep the roof safer from falling limbs and debris, but according to a study done by UC San Diego, they help reduce the temperature inside the home up to nearly 35% or more.

Bad Weather Protection

Inclement weather such as snow, hail and even excessive wind and rain can cause damage to a roof over the years. When solar panels are on the roof, there is now a roadblock of sorts to block out the severe weather, at least to a slight degree, and this can help protect the roof and can even help it last longer than it would without the panels.

No Major Holes in the Roof

Many people worry about excessive holes in the roof that will lead to leaks or shingle damage. Solar panels are installed with either a ballasted racking system or a roof clamp system and homeowners need to know that neither of these require holes in the roof. There are some systems that will bolt into the rafters of the roof, but with those, if the installer is a professional solar panel installer, you won’t need to worry about holes that will cause water leaks into the attic. SheltonRoofing.com has worked with numerous solar panel installation companies and they advise that due to roof warranties provided by the roofing company and careful steps being taken to not damage a roof and cause a roof warranty to be voided, solar installers today can easily have the solar panels up quickly with nothing to worry about.

With some of the newer installation systems for solar panels, companies can use clamping systems that allow for installation with not even one hole drilled into the roof. This means that the roof warranty is completely in place and there are no worries at all about leaks from having solar panels installed.

No Worries About Voided Warranties

It’s best to have solar panels installed on a roof that is no more than five years old. Some installers will not even consider doing a solar panel installation on a roof that has been on for many years because eventually, the roof is going to need replaced. Solar companies work hard to make sure your panels are set correctly, and they take a considerable amount of time to ensure the work is handled professionally in a way that will not cause a roof warranty to be voided. Simpleray has been voted as one of the Top 500 Solar Contractors in the nation by Solar Power World, and ensuring safe, damage free installation is a top priority for customers.

A new roof is one of the most expensive renovation jobs a person may ever have done to their home, and with a price tag that often exceeds more than $9000 for an average 2500 square foot home, no one wants to have anything damaged and then find out that a shoddy install voided the warranty. Even a small misplaced hole or a tear in a shingle can cause water damage inside the attic of a home. Companies today work closely with their customers as well as the professionals in the roofing industry to make sure nothing is compromised during an install.

Your Roof Value May Increase

If you plan to sell your home or business in the future, a solar installation can be a great help. With more people looking to ‘go green’ more today than ever before, knowing that a property owner has invested in solar power can be a huge advantage. Your roof that was worth $9000 before may now be worth twice that (or more) just because you invested in a solar system.

The bottom line is this; Having solar panels installed on your roof not only helps you keep your electric bill down and is safer for the environment, but you can significantly increase your overall home value just from having the installation done. Best of all, with modern installation practices, you no longer have to worry about holes, tears and other damage to your roof.

Guest Author: Tom Masters of Shelton Roofing

Tags: weather roof do solar panels protect your roof

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