One of the great things about solar panels is that they can be installed in various ways. Whether on your roof or the ground, solar panels provide plenty of flexibility in how you install them.
Even better, you don’t need to have a pitched roof to reap their rewards. In fact, flat roofs are the preferred type of roof for installing solar panels.
This allows the solar panels to get the optimal amount of sunlight, thereby providing you with the best in energy efficiency.
But it is important to understand some key factors involved with flat roof solar panel installation.
To ensure that you are up to speed, we will be laying out what entails this type of installation method.
Is Flatter Better?
When most people think of solar panels, they often envision sloped panels. It is therefore understandable to assume that pitched roofs are the ideal setting for solar panels.
But the truth of the matter is, flat roofs provide a perfect place for solar panels to be installed. While it’s true that pitched-roof panels are more common, you can most certainly buy ones that are designed for flat roofs.
One of the issues you might run into, however, is installers refusing to install solar panels on flat roofs. This is because there are many companies that stock pitched-roof style panels only.
It pays to shop around until you find a provider that can offer the type of solar panels you want.
Once you have found a reputable dealer, installation can get underway. By installing on a flat roof, you can benefit from exceptional power output.
With pitched roofs, installers have to factor in the angle of your roof and the direction that it faces. Doing this ensures that the solar panels provide the homeowner with the best performance.
In your case, this isn’t an issue. Your solar panels can be installed much more easily. Not only that, but you can also look forward to having a more versatile setting for them to be installed.
This means that your solar panel system can be designed in a way that supplies you with better electricity production.
Aside from trees and potential shading concerns, your flat roof doesn’t have the same problems that need to be overcome as pitched roofs do.
Is Installation More Costly?
When you break down your solar panel installation costs, you will find that roughly 10% of your total expenses are for the labor involved with putting up your panels.
This is because there is the potential danger of climbing on top of your pitched roof. But you don’t have a pitched roof. It makes sense that flat roof customers should pay less for their solar panel installation.
The installers don’t need to use as much safety equipment to scale your roof. Not only that, but flat roofs provide installers with a safer area to walk around on and perform their duties.
Unfortunately, you may not always see a big break in your overall installation fees. This is because flat-roof solar panels sometimes need to have special hardware to allow them to provide you with the best energy output.
With most pitched-roof systems, holes are drilled into the roof to affix a penetration mount. This equipment is what keeps your solar panels safely in place.
Obviously, flat roofs aren’t typically safe for drilling holes the same way that pitched roofs are.
This is where special weighted mounting hardware comes into play. Called a ballast system, this equipment makes it possible to install solar panels on a flat roof without having to drill unsightly holes in your roof.
Instead of holes, concrete blocks are used to ensure that your solar panels stay securely in place.
Depending on the type of flat roof that you have, you may opt for a combination of holes and weights to keep your panels secure.
Finding Flat-Roof Installers
Unless you live somewhere that is surrounded by similar flat-roof homes, you may have difficulty finding local installers that deal in flat-roof installation.
You may need to perform some serious legwork to hunt down a company that will install solar panels for you. But be diligent and don’t take the first offer that comes your way.
It’s possible that you might find an installer that will do it at an extra cost. By looking around, you may be able to avoid getting charged more than the job is really worth.
The same is true if you live somewhere that has plenty of flat-roof installers. Always shop around to as many companies as you can.
Conclusion
Knowing what goes into flat-roof solar panel installation will help ensure that you get the best deal possible. With a little persistence, you can find a reputable installer who will give you a fair deal.