What do you need to know before installing Solar Panels on asphalt roof tiles?

Today, solar energy is being used more and more as a way to go green and save money. In Mexico, Solar Roofs continue to consolidate as one of the most successful and competitive forms of generation, most of the houses are built with flat roofs. But if your house has a roof with asphalt tiles, it may also be a candidate for installing solar panels. However, it needs to be done right to avoid unnecessary roof repairs. So, be sure to get the right person to do the job!

If you're looking to install solar panels on your roof, you probably have some questions, are the solar panels compatible with my roof? And how will the solar panels affect my roof? In this blog, you will learn what photovoltaic panels look like on asphalt shingle roofs and how to install them.‍

The main factor to consider is the condition of your current roof. Your roof must be fairly new and in good condition, if you are going to install solar panels on it. Of course, the condition doesn't always directly correlate with age, so it's important that you know not only how old your roof is but also what kind of shape it is currently in.‍

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If your roof is more than five years old, you should consider conducting an evaluation of your roof to determine if it holds up well and can support a solar panel system, remembering that solar panels last 25 to 30 years or more, it is recommended If your roof is reaching the end of its useful life or is in poor condition, it is better to replace it before installing the panels and avoid an extra expense for reinstalling the solar panel system.

In addition
to the age and condition of a roof, the main aspects for compatibility with solar panels are:

- Material
- Orientation
- Amount of shade

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Material

Most roofing materials can accommodate a solar panel installation without damaging it. Asphalt shingle roof works great for solar panels and involves a simple installation process. Asphalt tile roofs are also highly compatible with solar panels and make them easy to install.

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Roof pitch

In general, south-facing roofs are the best, but roofs that slope to the east and west still allow you to produce enough energy to get rid of your electric bill, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint. If your roof is not at a perfect 30 degree angle, solar panels will still work if the pitch is at 15 and 40 degrees. In fact, even if the roof is flat, it is possible to install solar panels as long as they are mounted at a suitable angle.

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Shade

It is important that your roof gets enough sun throughout the day to maximize electricity production. Trees or tall buildings can block the sun from hitting your roof, and that can be a problem. The shade that the trees give, however, is something you can control. You can cut the sheets so that more sun hits your panels, and even if it looks like it's not environmentally friendly, it turns out it is.

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How to fix the solar panels to the roof?

The photovoltaic panels are mounted on aluminum profiles. The length of the aluminum profiles that are installed on the roof is determined by the number of photovoltaic panels.

The aluminum profiles are fixed to the ceiling with long screws. Screws pass through shingles and deck and are firmly attached to joists or battens. The screw must have a high quality rubber washer on the outside to ensure perfect water resistance and prevent any leakage from the drilled hole through which the screw passes through the roof deck. We can find many versions of these brackets on the market, but the safest system is to use the screw with a metal plate or a flashing. The top of this metal flashing always slides under the shingle above.

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Does installing solar panels affect my roof warranty?

If the installation of the solar panel system on your asphalt tile roof was done correctly but you wonder if the installation could void the roof warranty is an important thing to consider.

Non-ceiling mounting systems that include a ballast and ceiling support racks do not affect your ceiling warranty. For penetrating systems, you should take a couple of important steps to make sure you don't void your roof's warranty:

Talk to your roofer - You should inform your original roofing contractor of your plans to install solar panels and ask if this will have any impact on your warranty. In some cases, to protect your warranty, you may need your roofer to prepare the roof for the installation process by removing shingles where the brackets will go. This will require your roofer to coordinate with the contractor installing your panels.

Hire a Qualified Installer - Even if your roofer helps you set it up, it's still vital that your solar panel installers have the experience and knowledge to do quality work and avoid damaging your roof in any way. Even slightly denting your roof could void your warranty, as this can have a long-term effect on the effectiveness of your roof. Ask your hiring company if they can guarantee that your roof will not be damaged while keeping your warranty intact.

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Although technology has been advancing, you can now combine your asphalt tile roof with "solar tiles", some manufacturers are beginning to market this type of photovoltaic systems that act as a sealed and hermetic roof of traditional roofs, simulating the appearance of roof tiles. Although this solution has had little impact, due to its high cost and low efficiency, making this installation inadvisable, although valuable for complete renovations of roofs or newly built homes.‍

So now you know if you are thinking of bringing the advantage of solar roof panels into your home, take into account hiring a specialized company that can offer you the best mounting systems that is most beneficial to avoid damaging your asphalt tile roof. 

H‍ope this blog post is another wonderful piece for your reading pleasure. Get more roof insider tips on my blog.