Roof Requirements For Solar Panels

The ideal roof for solar panels should be 30 40 degrees with a slanted style rather than a flat one.

Roof requirements for solar panels.

However roofs that are slanted east or west can still be good candidates if they meet the other requirements. The international fire code 605 11 3 2 4 that states panels modules installed shall be located no higher than 3 ft below the ridge to allow for fire department ventilation operations significantly decreases the attractiveness of residential solar pv because it applies to both sides of a peaked roof. With a solid wiring electrical plan in place the next step is mounting your solar panels. Usually each solar panel takes about 18 square feet.

The spaces under pv panels however create a cozy place for birds and rodents to nest. Does your roof have enough space where the solar panels will be placed. An average size for a good space of the roof would be 400 600 square feet. The ideal roof for solar faces south at 180 degrees true orientation or 195 degrees if using a magnetic compass to maximize the amount of sunlight that your panels receive.

Most solar panels are designed to work for 20 to 25 years and the roof will need to last that long as well see references 2. Repair any problems or install a whole new roof if necessary. If you decide to roof mount your solar panels there are 5 main steps to take.