Are Solar Panels Bad For Roof?

Are Solar Panels Bad For Roof? The first question that comes to your mind when installing a solar panel is whether it will damage your roof. Well, the answer is no, if you install it properly and if your roof is top-quality. But let’s take it to step by step.

Are Solar Panels Bad For Roof? –
Is installing a solar panel a bad idea?

As we mentioned in the introduction, a solar panel can be both good and bad for your roof. You should worry that the panel will damage the roof if the roof is in poor condition. Solar panels are heavy and if you install them on a weak and worn-out rooftop, they will have to suffer.

Your roof has to be durable to withstand the pressure of the panel. Another factor that leads to roof damage is the wrong installation. Here is what you have to do to ensure that your house is compatible with solar panels:

1. Book an inspection

No installation should start without an initial roof inspection. Yes, solar panels are heavy, so doing it all in a haste can lead to serious trouble. Call a team of roofing specialists to inspect your roof in detail. They will verify its durability and readiness for an additional burden.

They will also evaluate the profitability of such a project. Your roof should face South or West to capture the largest possible amount of sunshine. If its positioning is not favorable, you will spend more than you will earn. So you better refrain from installing solar panels.

2. Hire a licensed installer

A solar panel roof is a recent invention. This means that not everybody can install it in the right way. You have to thoroughly verify all credentials of the candidate-installers. Besides a traditional license, you have to check whether the installer has experience or holds a training certificate in installing solar panels.

Is weight a problem?

Solar panels are heavy. But since they are made specially for house roof, they can’t be heavier than a roof can hold. The only time when the roof can bend or collapse is when it is poor quality. So if your roof is old, worn out, or has minor damages, you should give up on your solar panel project.

Moreover, manufacturers make solar panels with weight of snow in mind. They make it in such a way that the roof can resist both the panel and the snow on it. It should sound as a perfect news for Singapore residents where snow never falls. It means that your well-constructed roof will withstand the panel weight at ease.

What about the holes they make to secure the panel?

You may have also heard that installers work holes in the roof during installation. First of all, it doesn’t affect your roof. Second, it is necessary for securing the panel in place. The installers use rackers to immobilize the panel on the roof.

To mount the rackers, they need to put holes for the attachment of lag bolts. Now, you may think that the holes may cause leaks inside the house and deal damage to your assets. However, it is not so and you don’t have to worry a second.

The installers will immediately seal the bolt area, preventing water from getting inside. There could also be concerns about the holes making the roof weaker. However, the holes are just too small to reduce the durability of the roof structure.

How does the solar panel benefit your house?

It may come as a surprise, but solar panel brings some benefits to your house. First of all, it helps to keep the rooms cool during hot summer days, as it absorbs sunlight. In this way, you minimize the activity of your air conditioner, which ultimately reduces your power bill.

Another benefit of a solar panel roof is that it prevents heat damage. The panel offers a shade to your roof, protecting it from heat deterioration and discoloration.

Are Solar Panels Bad For Roof? – Final thoughts

All in all, solar panels never damage durable and well-constructed roofs. If you know for sure that your roof is in a good shape, you proceed with the panel installation. You shouldn’t worry about weight, because the panel is only as heavy as to allow the roof to withstand it. Don’t forget also to hire licensed installers that know how to mount the solar panel correctly.