![]() In fact, if your roof is nearly flat even North could “work”. But that of course isn’t always possible and further, with today’s improved panels a roof facing East, Southeast, Southwest or West also work very well. In solar terminology we’d say the best compass “azimuth” (or bearing) is 180. Up here in the Northern Hemisphere the sun is always to our South so your solar roof should ideally face true South. Which direction should my solar panels face? That’s probably terribly obvious, but it is the key to whether solar will work for you. In short, the more direct sun the more power. That question is best answered by asking three key questions which way does your roof face, what is the pitch of your roof, and how much shade is on it throughout the day. The real question is will solar pay you back. If so, your next question should likely be “but will they work?”Īs alluded to at the start of this article, the question about solar, beyond will the panels fit, isn’t really if you can install solar. So perhaps now you have figured out if your roof has enough room to hold some solar panels. The mounts go up, the roof gets completed, and we then install your panels over them. That way we can install the panel supports before (or in conjunction with) your new unique material roof. ![]() The key is to decide you want to go solar before you put up your metal shingle, cedar or slate roof. That’s because such materials don’t lend themselves to additions on top of them – or at least additions that won’t then cause a leak. In fact, the only real caveat to “we can do that” answer on roof materials are already completed roofs made out of metal shingles, cedar, or slate. We just adjust the mounting method to fit that particular material’s needs. So while one big rectangle would be easiest and most efficient, we can make systems fit on strange shapes as well as on roof surfaces other than asphalt shingles, such as standing seam or corrugated metal roofs or even rubber roofs. Just as noted above, we strive to make solar work in as many situations as possible. Most roof shapes work for solar, although hip roofs have less space than may initially meet the eye.Ībsolutely. Plus, we do it with a keen eye for quality – true craftsmanship if you will – because that power production also needs to look good and last a long time (see photos below). We will do all we can to make your new system fit your roof as well as your needs. In fact, sometimes we have to break up your array into multiple sections. We work around different roof types, dormers, vent pipes, chimneys, and even skylights. ![]() But luckily we design solar energy systems for all kinds of configurations. That’s because a nice, clean rectangular roof is not that common here in New England. Square footage is length times height, so a 15’ x 30’ roof has 450 square feet.īut of course life is rarely that simple. a 7.5-kW system of roughly 22 panels) can be installed on a 450 square foot roof. A residential solar system sized to meet that demand (e.g. The heaviest users are in Connecticut with an average of 8,676 while Maine residents use just 6,612. Can solar panels fit on my roof?Į reports that the average home in New England uses approximately 7,412 kW hours of electricity per year. Together they should help you assess not only your own roof, but perhaps some of your friends as well. Here are some questions to ask, from the most basic (will the panels fit) to the complex (best direction, angle and impact of shading?). Their enthusiasm is exceeded only by their disappointment if we tell them that their projected return isn’t that good because their roof is far less than ideal. We get many enthusiastic calls and emails from people ready to get solar installed on their roofs.
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