How to Tell if Your Roof Is Good for Solar

Are you thinking about installing residential solar panels? Analyzing your roof is the first step! 

There are several factors that impact solar viability, and we’ve put together a list of the most important. 

The factors on this list will help you determine if your roof is good for solar panels. But remember—most houses are good for solar! If you’d like a professional opinion, book a free consultation with Boston Solar. We’ll analyze your roof and let you know whether solar is worth it for your home. 

Roof Age and Condition 

Solar panels last for 25-30 years, which means they’re going to be on your roof for a long time. Ideally, you want their lifespan to be aligned with your roof’s lifespan. This way, your solar panels will reach the end of their lives at the same time your roof does so you can remove and replace them both at the same time. If your roof only has another ten years or less left in it, you may want to consider replacing it before you install solar panels. 

It’s also important to make sure your roof is strong enough to support the weight of your new solar panel system. If your roof needs repairs make sure you take care of them before you install solar panels.  

Roof Suitability for Solar Panels

Solar panels can’t be installed on every type of roof, but the most common roof types in New England are all good candidates for solar panels. We can install solar panels on the following types of roofs: 

• Asphalt 
• Metal (most types)
• Concrete 
• Rubber (most types) 

Roof Direction 

The amount of sunlight your roof receives depends on the direction it faces. Experts agree that south-facing roofs are the best fit for solar panels because they receive the most amount of sunlight. If you have a south-facing roof, your house is likely a great fit for solar. 

But you don’t have to have a south-facing roof to make solar panels worth it. East and west-facing roofs can also be great candidates for solar. Our solar power systems are custom-designed to maximize your sunlight access and we can work with almost any roof, no matter what direction it faces. 

Learn more about the best direction to install solar panels. 

Shade 

Shade is one of the most important factors to consider when determining how good your roof is for solar panels. Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work and will still produce electricity if they receive some shade throughout the day. But constant or significant shading will seriously hinder your system’s output. If your house is heavily shaded, you may want to consider trimming tree branches back to let in more sunlight before you install solar panels. 

We Make Solar Worth it for New England Homes 

Boston Solar, a Proud Partner of the Boston Red Sox, has installed over 5,000 solar energy systems and is a leading local solar panel installer in New England. We install custom solar power systems that work for almost any home. Our solar designers are highly experienced and will work with the roof space you have to maximize your sunlight access and power production. If rooftop solar isn’t a good fit for you, we can recommend other options that may be a better fit, like ground-mounted solar. 
Find out if your house is good for solar! Call 617-858-1645 or contact us to schedule your free consultation. 

Find out if your house is good for solar! Call 617-858-1645 or contact us to schedule your free consultation.