Will Solar Power Work for My House's Roof?

Solar power has come a long way in the past decade. It's become a practical way of reducing your energy bills and making your home more self-reliant. However, while it's viable for most homes, there are some obstacles that could prevent it from working at yours.

One of the most important aspects of your home to evaluate when considering solar panels is your roof. Everything from its age to angle can have an impact on whether or not solar power will work for your house. In general, solar panels tend to work best when they are placed on a south-facing roof. That doesn't mean solar won't work for your home if you don't have a south-facing roof, but the panels may not work at the optimum performance. Additionally, your roof should have a slant of, ideally, between 15 and 40 degrees. This will allow the panels to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight.

Another thing to consider is the age and condition of your roof. If your current roof is old or damaged, even minor ones, it's best to have it repaired or a brand new one installed before going solar. The price of doing so will rise significantly if you have to do it after you've already had your solar panels put in place.

Since solar power derives its energy from the sun, you also need to take tree coverage over your home into account. If your house is constantly in the shade, solar power may not be the best option for your home.

If you're unsure whether your property is suitable for solar power, have a professional come and evaluate its viability. They'll let you know whether or not solar power can work for your home and, if it can't, what you need to change so it can.