Have you ever wondered if your Seattle home’s roof is solar viable? You love the idea of producing your own clean energy right from your own home, but you wonder if it’s realistic. If you answer ‘Yes’ to all three of the questions below, then your roof is most likely solar viable, and would be a good candidate for installing a home rooftop solar panel array.
1. Does your roof get enough sun?
You might think that Seattle is not a good area for solar power because of our gray skies much of the year, however the truth is, our long sunny summers more than make up for that winter deficit.
Germany is one of the world leaders in solar power and it gets less sun than the Seattle area. If solar can be a major source of power in Germany, then it can definitely be done here.
The ideal rooftop for solar is gets no shade. If your home is surrounded by tall trees, or is overshadowed by a taller home or building nearby then rooftop solar panels may not be a good option for you.
Google Project Sunroof is an interesting tool you can use to see if your roof is a good candidate for solar panels.
2. What direction does your roof slope face?
This might seem like a confusing question, because most roofs have slopes facing at least two directions. If the main ridgeline of your roof runs North-South, then your roof will have slopes facing East and West. If your main ridgeline runs East-West, then you will have slopes on your roof facing North and South.
For the purposes of putting solar panels on your roof, a South-facing roof slope is ideal, because it will get the most sun throughout the day. Eastern or Western facing slopes can work as well, but they won’t be as efficient. Considering that here in Seattle we want to use every bit of sunlight available, you should probably stick with a South-facing solar array.
A flat roof can work as well although in that case the panels will most likely be installed on small stands so that the panels can be angled toward the South, allowing them to get maximum sunlight.
3. Is your roof strong enough?
You’ll need to be sure your roof can support the weight of solar panels but that’s not typically a problem for most conventionally built homes. Most home roofs can easily support the weight of a solar array, but it’s wise to ask an experienced builder or home inspector if you aren’t sure.
OHM Can Make Your Solar Energy Dreams Come True!
Are you planning a solar home upgrade project in 2022? OHM can help. We have experience in installing solar panels, and all aspects of solar energy systems. Contact OHM today to get started.
