How to Tell If Your Roof Can Handle Solar Panels
Energy costs are rising fast, and many homeowners are considering adding solar panels to help lower their energy costs. Installing solar panels on your roof may be a great way to take advantage of natural energy without giving up space in your yard. If you’ve been thinking about adding solar panels to your roof, you probably have a lot of questions about whether or not your roof can handle solar panels.
How Much Do Roof-Mounted Solar Panels Weigh?
The weight of solar panels varies by brand, model, and size. Solar panels are heavy, but they need to be in order to withstand environmental pressures like wind, rain, and snow. In most cases, solar panels installed for home use are either 60-cell or 72-cell panels.
Most 60-cell PV solar panels weigh between 35 to 45 pounds, with an average weight of 40 pounds. That might sound like a lot, but the weight is spread out over the full surface area of the panel. At roughly 5.5 feet by 3.25 feet, a solar panel weighs around 2.3 pounds per square foot.
Larger 72-cell panels will weigh a few more pounds, but because the weight is spread out over a larger surface area, the weight per square foot is about the same. The average weight of a 72-cell solar panel is just over 50 pounds. It has a rough dimension of 6.6 feet by 3.25 feet, which ends up being 2.4 pounds per square foot.
Whichever solar panels you choose will need to be placed on mounting equipment, which will add a few more pounds to the final weight.
Can My Roof Support the Added Weight of Solar Panels?
Most homes have roofs that can handle the weight of a roof-mounted solar array. But, you will need to have a third-party architect or structural engineer evaluate your home and the weight of the solar system you want to install to make sure that your home specifically can support that weight.
How Will the Weight of Snow Impact Solar Panels?
Heavy snowstorms already take a toll on the roof, so how will a big snowfall impact your roof if there is a heavy solar array mounted there? In most cases, it won’t be. But the structural engineer who evaluates your roof will take into consideration the average snowfall throughout the winter when assessing your roof. If they don’t think the roof can handle the weight of the snow and the solar panels, they won’t sign off on solar panel installation.
What Will the Panels Do to My Roof?
Adding solar panels shouldn’t change the function or durability of your roof. If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, a piece of flashing is installed beneath the shingles so the lag bolt can be set into the rafter without leaks.
If your roof is corrugated steel, installers will put in a specifically designed bracket with the same galvanized roofing screws used by roofers in the installation of the roof to mount the panels, so there are no roof penetrations.
If your home has a flat roof, a ballast roof mount can be used, so there are no roof penetrations needed for installing solar panels.
How Long Will My Roof Last with Solar Panels?
Having solar panels installed on your roof shouldn’t impact the durability or longevity of your roof at all. A properly installed roof can last up to twenty years with normal wear and tear. But if you have a warranty on your roof, it’s a good idea to check the warranty and make sure adding solar panels won’t impact the warranty coverage.
Get Advice From The Experts at Nor’Easter Roofing
If you are considering installing solar panels, or if you need roof repairs or an estimate for a roof replacement, contact us today at 508-667-3278. The experts at Nor’Easter Roofing are here to answer your questions and help with all of your roofing needs.
