Investing in solar panels is one of the best things you can do for both your home and the environment. This clean form of energy is not only good for the planet, but it can help to save you money on your monthly energy bills. There’s nothing better than knowing that your home in Indianapolis is powered by sunlight.
Unfortunately, there’s a bit of preparation involved when it comes to solar panel installation. If you want to avoid running into any bumps in the road on the day of your installation, here’s what you should do to prepare ahead of time.
Check With Your HOA and Insurance Company
If you’re having your solar panels installed by the pros, you don’t need to worry about reviewing local ordinances and codes, as the professionals are well familiar with them. However, it’s a good idea to check with your HOA and your insurance company to ensure that your new solar panels aren’t a violation of their policies. Most insurance companies are fine with solar panels and view them as a welcomed addition to a home. However, there are unfortunately many HOAs that regard them as eyesores and may go so far as to ban them explicitly.
Assess the Current State of Your Roof
It’s important to keep in mind that not every roof is suitable for solar panel installation. No professional will proceed with the installation if the roof is deemed unsuitable. However, it’s smart to have it all figured out ahead of time so that there are no disappointments on the day of your big installation.
As a general rule of thumb, most roofs have a lifespan, although that can vary depending on the material. When it comes to standard asphalt shingles, anything over 20 years old may have too much wear and tear to support a solar panel installation. However, even if your roof is on the newer side, there might still be damage that needs to be fixed and addressed before your solar panels can be installed. Properly installed solar panel systems can last for decades, so you want to ensure that the roof is in good condition. Having to remove the solar panels to access roof damage can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor.
Know the Common Issues
If your roofing material of choice is asphalt shingles, your likely good to go. This is the most common roofing material and is sturdy enough to support solar panels well while providing enough yield to accommodate changes in air pressure or weather. The same can be said for metal roofing materials, which have the benefit of being very long-lasting. This means you won’t have to go through the process of having your solar panels removed and stored during a roof replacement or repair.
There is unfortunately one type of roofing material that simply doesn’t work well with solar panels. Tile roofing materials don’t support solar panels well, as they can easily crack under the added weight. If you currently have a tile roof, you have two options. You can invest in specialty equipment that will elevate your solar panels so they’re not touching your roof directly. Or, you can replace your roof with a more accommodating material, such as asphalt shingles or metal.
Generally, the latter is going to be the more cost-efficient and smarter of the two options. Remember, solar panels are a very long-term commitment. It’s possible to use equipment to make solar panels work on a tile roof, if you’re in it for the long haul. However, it’s probably a good idea to replace the roof altogether with materials that will support your solar panels for years to come.
Call a Structural Engineer
Aside from ensuring that your roofing material is appropriate for solar panel installation, a structural engineer needs to assess your home to ensure that it can accommodate the added weight of solar panels. While solar panels aren’t necessarily the heaviest entities in the world, they definitely add some significant weight.
The average weight of an individual solar panel is around 40 pounds. However, when you factor in the equipment used to mount them, you can estimate that each panel will add about 50 pounds of weight to the home. The number of panels you have installed may vary based on the size of your home and your energy needs, but the average residential home will have 20 solar panels installed. For commercial and larger properties, you could potentially install double that amount. Thus, it’s essential that a structural engineer signs off on the property as being able to accommodate this much added weight.
Consult an Electrician
The rewiring and electrical component of your home is part of the standard installation process, so you don’t have to schedule a separate contractor for it. However, it’s not a bad idea to have a professional electrician survey your property to find if any appliances or devices might be unsuitable for solar energy. Solar panels can’t accommodate appliances that use a substantial amount of energy for long periods of time, such as the commercial ovens in restaurants. Even for private residences, it’s a good idea to have an electrician tell you if any changes need to be made to make your home more ready for solar energy.
Talk to Your Accountant
No, that’s not a typo. While your accountant might not be needed on the day of installation, you could end up saving a lot of money on your taxes by installing solar panels. The government offers tax credits to homeowners who invest in solar panels as part of an overall push to move towards cleaner energy. While solar panel installation can be quite the investment, you could enjoy a nice surprise come tax season.
Communicate With Your Installers
The day of your solar panel installation will not be the first time you meet your installer. Indeed, this work will involve many appointments prior to ensure that your home is ready for your solar panels. While your installer will strive to make the process as seamless as possible, this is a major project and it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. Along the way, you may have any questions about the process or any concerns. Therefore, it’s important to give them a call so that these issues can be dealt with early in the process.
At SPG Roofing & Exteriors, we believe in the power of clean energy and its benefits to homeowners. They allow you to do your part in keeping our planet clean. We offer residential and commercial roofing services, from repair to installation, if you’re interested in making any needed upgrades to accommodate solar panels on your roof in the future. We can also help you with gutters, siding, and painting, providing you with complete care of your home or business exterior. Call us today if you’re interested in learning more about our roofing design services.
