Everything You Should Know About Flat Roofs And Solar Panel Installation
Solar panel engineers often find it easier to work on tilted roofs, as it appears straightforward as long as the needed equipment is available. However, when it comes to installation on a flat roof, most tend to avoid this option. This leaves homeowners with a flat roof with different concerns. Some people will opt to design their roofs vertically just because of the higher level of efficiency you can get when they face the sun, as it rises in the east and finally sets in the west, so you can get more exposure to the sun during these times of the day… However, unless you are in the building fazes of your home, it is not likely that you would entirely remodel your roof just to get better sun exposure. Those who cannot change their roofs any longer now find it difficult to find a professional installer to get it done for them.
This should not be the case as installing solar panels on flat roofs might appear difficult, but it is not an impossible task. As long as the installer can anticipate the likely risks associated with it, they can look for means to avoid these risks from materializing during the installation process. Some of the problems the installer might encounter include:
Tilting Problem
The main challenge with flat roof solar panel installation is the lack of tilt that comes with it. The solar panel needs to be tilted to a certain degree for maximum efficiency to be achieved. This means that a specified solar panel tilt angle and orientation are often incorporated into the manufacturers’ design. Most manufacturers do not give a warranty once the solar panel is not tilted to a certain degree.
However, the installer can solve this problem, provided he or she uses the right tools during the installation process. For best efficiency levels through tilting, please try to consider the following options
- Attachments that are drilled to the roof
- Ballasted, which involves using some weight to keep the system in place
- A combination of attachments and Ballast, which is called Hybrid.
Leakage Problem
The problem with the use of attachment and Ballast is that there might likely be leakages from the flat roof. This is because some form of drilling is involved during the installation process, and this can lead to the perforation of the roof, which can, in turn, lead to roof leakage. If you are concerned about leakage, then you would highly benefit from using the non-penetrating ballast system, which will prevent leakage while ensuring that the solar panels are tilted up to ten degrees.
Dirt Problem
Another problem associated with flat roof solar panel installation is the dirt and dust that tend to accumulate on the panel’s surface. This can reduce the efficiency of the panel over time as sun rays will not be able to hit the surface of the panel directly. The solution to this is the periodic cleaning of the solar panel. This is especially important once it is noticed that the solar panel’s energy generation capacity has reduced.
Conclusion
Solar panel technology can be installed on just any roof as long as one knows the right step to take. As a homeowner, ensure you do your research and get the best installer to help with the installation. This will save you the stress of having to replace your roof.
ber that the solar panel with the highest price might not be the most suitable for you.
