The United States currently produces enough solar power to power the equivalent of 18 million homes.
That is still only just over 3% of America’s power production needs, but it continues to rise steadily.
If you are considering buying solar panels, it’s important to understand some basics of installing solar panels. Keep reading for a look at the answer to “How many solar panels can I fit on my roof?”
Solar Panel Size
Solar panel installation is more than just fitting solar panels on a roof, but it is an important factor to consider. How big are solar panels? The majority of solar panels are 65 inches by 39 inches (just over 5 feet by just over 3 feet).
Clearance
When determining how many will fit, you need to take clearance into consideration.
Installers and maintenance technicians will need room to work on the panels.
You as the homeowner will need to access your roof to keep your panels clean and free of debris and to do regular maintenance checks.
In the event of a fire, emergency personnel will need safe access to your roof and attic to fight any fires.
Power Production
From there, your main consideration will be how many panels your home needs to provide enough power. A solar installation company like Blue Raven will help you determine the correct number of solar panels.
Budget
Don’t forget to keep your budget considerations in mind. Just because you could potentially fit more solar panels on your roof, doesn’t mean that you should.
Look at your budget, power production needs, and whether you would make enough money off the extra production to offset the cost of more panels.
Solar Panel Weight
Understanding how the weight of the solar panels may affect the structure of your home is important.
The average weight of one solar panel is 40 pounds, or between two and four pounds per square foot.
Since the typical roof is designed to sustain loads of up to 20 pounds per square foot, the weight of solar panels shouldn’t be a problem.
If your roof is older, consider getting an inspection done before solar panel installation. It may be worth the cost of replacing the roof before you install solar panels, so you don’t have to worry about removing the panels to replace the roof sooner than you estimated on your own.
HOA and Local Laws
It is always a good idea to double-check with your HOA and local regulations to make sure how much of your roof you can cover in solar panels.
A reputable solar installation company should know what permits you will need and take care of the details for you. But be prepared to ask the right questions and make sure that your bases are covered.
How Many Solar Panels Can I Fit on My Roof?
If you want to know the answer to “How many solar panels can I fit on my roof?”, be sure you know the right questions to ask. Your solar company of choice can answer your questions about size, weight, regulations, and more to tell you what will be the best fit for your home.
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