What’s the Best Place to Put a Solar Panel?

With warmer weather approaching, you may be considering the benefits of going solar, but have you ever stopped to think if your home is suitable for solar panels? Believe it or not, a few factors come into play when placing solar panels on your home.

Let’s jump in!

Shade on Your Roof

Let’s start with shade being cast on your roof. This can happen for several reasons, but the outcome is always the same, reduced production. When looking to go solar, look at your roof and see how different factors may affect how much sun it gets[1]. Things to look out for are:

1. Trees – Perhaps the most common issue! Trees can cause a great deal of shade on your home daily. This can stop your panels from performing optimally. We (and other solar providers) may suggest removing trees if they will affect your energy production.[2]
2. Your Roof – The sun’s angle during a particular time of day can cast a shadow on different parts of a roof, like a chimney or a dormer.[3] It’s also important to determine which direction your roof faces, as some are more favorable than others.
3. Clouds – We can’t talk about shade without mentioning clouds, but there’s good news on this front! Clouds still allow some sunlight to go through but note your panel production will be lower than a sunny day. At the same time, you don’t need to worry about clouds affecting your everyday production.[4]

Regular tree maintenance is crucial to ensure your solar panels are working at their full potential. Overgrown branches can obstruct sunlight and reduce the energy efficiency of your system. Even if tree removal isn’t necessary, regular pruning and trimming can help maintain the right balance of shade and sunlight. Here, professional help with tree maintenance, you can count on the outstanding services from VistaTree. This can prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your panels, extending their lifespan and improving performance over time.

The Slope of Your Roof

Believe it or not, there is a bit of math involved when you are looking to get solar panels on your home. The best position for your solar panels is a roof facing “true south” with a tilt of between 30 and 45 degrees. This will give you the best results for production. Solar panels produce the most electricity when placed perpendicular to the sun. In many cases, this angle is the latitude of where you live.[5]

Age of Your Roof

Lastly, how old is your roof? What does the wear and tear look like? Are there holes or lifted shingles? These are just a few questions any homeowner should be asking when considering adding solar panels to their roof. Solar panel systems are built to last anywhere between 25-40 years, so you will want to make sure your roof is in good shape and will not need to be replaced or repaired.[6]

Alternative Options Provided by Momentum

While many homeowners choose to install panels onto their homes, there may be some who either do not have the option to put panels on their roof or simply don’t want to. The best part of working with our team of solar specialists is that we can custom-design the perfect solar panel array for your home and provide alternative options.

Work with Our Dream Team

Building a greener future is easy when you work with Momentum. Our team puts in the work, time and effort needed to make your transition to clean energy seamless.

For more information, please call our dedicated team today at 1-888-MOMENTUM.

[1] https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work-shade/

[2] https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work-shade/

[3] https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work-shade/

[4] https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-work-shade/

[5] https://news.energysage.com/solar-panel-performance-orientation-angle/

[6] https://news.energysage.com/is-my-roof-even-suitable-for-solar/