An ever increasing number of homeowners are adding solar energy systems to their higher-quality homes, but they may ignore an important consideration: the rooftop under those solar panels.

U.S. home owner sare warming to the potential value of solar or photovoltaic (PV) energy. In fact, the third quarter of 2013 marked the biggest quarter ever for residential PV installation.

Solar power is increasingly regarded as a key component of energy efficient homes, such as those endeavoring to meet net-zero or Passive-House standards. Solar panels even help some property owners produce more energy than they consume.

Solar Panel Roof-Mounting Options

Most solar systems are mounted on the tops of homes. One of the key considerations in a solar installation is the type of roofing material that will lie beneath those solar panels. Typical crystalline solar panels are glass-and-metal rectangular modules that are mounted on racks attached to the roof.

Those modules and racks must withstand extreme weather conditions—for example, high winds, snow, and rain. In case you’re thinking about installing solar panels on the roof, you will need assurances that the rooftop is appropriate, and you might even consider installing another roof.

A standout among types of roofing appropriate for solar panel installation is a standing crease metal rooftop. In a standing crease metal rooftop, the panels are attached at the creases that transcend the level of the rest of the metal material. The creases allow the panels to be raised, instead of flush mounted.

Another option for roof-mounted solar is thin-film solar PV overlays. While these panels are much lighter and much thinner than crystalline-based panels, they also don’t deliver as much power. Some of these panels are adhesive-backed and will adhere to a metal rooftop.

Benefits of Installing Metal Roofing

In addition to being an extremely desirable platform for solar panels, metal roofing offers various other advantages for the homeowner.

Durability: Metal roofs offer a service life of 30 to 50 years,depending upon the material and installation. The return on investment of a metal roof is high because of the life span. A less costly kind of rooftop may need to be replaced several times during the life expectancy of a single metal roof.

Energy Efficiency:Metal roofs help diminish warming and cooling losses in view of the high reflectivity and low emissivity of solar radiation from the rooftop. Many metal rooftops meet all the requirements for the Energy Star Cool Roof program by reflecting more sunlight-based warmth, and they are offered in a wide variety of colors to suit any architectural style. Very intelligent roofs help keep housetop temperatures low for better productivity from solar panels.

Life-cycle and Recycling Effects: Metal rooftops are made with a high amount of reused metal and are totally recyclable toward the end of their productive life.

Green Affirmation: Metal roofing can help a home meet the prerequisites for green accreditations—for example, LEED for Homes from the USGBC, Energy Star, and the National Association of Home builder’s Home Innovation National Green Building Standard.

Conclusion

In case you’re thinking about installing a residential solar power system, be sure to start with your roof. Your choice of roofing materials will play a key role in the successful installation and operation of your system. A metal rooftop will help diminish your expenses and ensure that your solar power system achieves the highest degree of productivity.

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