Is My House Suitable for Solar Panels?

Did you know that over 600,000 homes and businesses in Queensland have a solar panel system? The Sunshine State is one of the world’s leaders in solar energy, with one in three homes being powered by solar energy. The frequent sunny and cloudless skies make Queensland a prime location for solar panels installation.

Solar panel installation is a great way to decrease energy bills while sustainably generating power. If you’re considering a solar installation, you might wonder if they’ll work with your home. While solar panels work great on most roofs, you should keep a few things in mind before investing.

This guide will discuss whether your home is ready for solar panel installation, so keep reading. Discover why SolarEze is the leading choice for solar panel installation in Gold Coast.

Evaluate Your Roof Angle

You’ll first want to examine the type and size of roof you have on your home. The angle of your solar panels will affect how much power they are able generate.

On the Gold Coast, the standard roof pitch is 15 or 22.5 degrees. The roof pitch depends upon what materials were used for your roof.

If your roof is flat, your solar panels can get installed on a bracket, so they face the sun. However, adding a bracket to your solar panel system might increase the cost.

The best angle for your solar panels depends on your location. The sun will be higher the lower you are in latitude. Your solar panels should get installed at the same angle as your latitude. For example, the latitude of Gold Coast is 28 degrees. Your solar panels must be mounted at around 28 degrees to capture the most UV rays.

A north-facing roof is ideal for most solar panel system installations since it gets exposed to more sunlight. If your roof faces slightly east, it could generate considerably less power than if it was facing true north.

Roofs that face the south aren’t great for solar panels. If you’re unsure of the angle of your roof, speak to a local solar power installation company, like SolarEze, as they will be able to find your roof using state-of-the-art software and let you know.

What’s Your Climate?

Australia’s sunny climate is perfect for producing solar energy. Solar panel systems work more efficiently than in other parts of the world, like the United Kingdom. Australia captures one of the highest amounts of sunlight on the planet, making it great for solar panels.

Is Your Roof Shaded?

The shaded portions of your roof won’t produce as much solar energy as other parts. Look at your roof to see if you have large areas covered in the shade. Nearby houses, trees, or buildings might cover your roof, causing your upcoming solar installation problems.

If trees shade your roof, you can trim or remove the trees. Unfortunately, you can’t do much about buildings shading your roof. When you partner with SolarEze, our solar experts will work with you to create a solar system solution that avoids the shaded parts of your roof.

The Strength of Your Roof

Roofs are typically strong enough to withstand the weight of your solar panels. If in the rare instances your roof is too weak, your solar panel installers will provide you with alternative options for your panel placement.

Typically, solar panels and the necessary equipment weigh around 10 to 20 kg per square meter. During their installation, SolarEze will distribute the weight evenly across your roof to avoid any damage to your roof.

Additional Factors to Consider

There are a few other things to remember when considering if your home is suitable for solar panels. A solar panel company will address these with you, but it’s important to know them ahead of time. They include:

• Space: You need around 25m by 35m of surface space on your roof
• Roof Material: Most roof materials are suitable, except for slate as it is very fragile
• Cyclones: If you live in a cyclone-prone area, you might need cyclone-certified mounting

Frequently Asked Questions

A solar panel system is a significant investment. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the installing solar.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Photovoltaic solar panels capture the light of the sun. The panels then convert the energy into power that your appliances can use. It’s important to note that the energy created comes from light, not heat. The extra solar energy you don’t use gets put back into the electrical grid. Your electrical company might send you refunds or rebates on your electrical bill for the extra electricity you produce.

What Size Solar Panel System Do I Need?

The size of your solar panel system depends on various factors. They include:

• Your budget
• Your roof size
• How much energy do you want to generate?

The solar panel specialists at SolarEze will discuss how much energy your home uses each day. They’ll help you determine how big of a solar panel system you need.

Do Solar Panels Need Maintenance?

Solar panel maintenance needs to be done by an experienced professional. The tilting of your solar panels also assist in their self-clean during storms and rainy days. However, we suggest that you have your solar panels professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Will My Solar Panels Generate Energy When It’s Cloudy ?

You can expect your solar panel system to generate energy when it’s cloudy or raining however, the power it produces will be dramatically less than if it was sunny.

Partner With an Experienced Solar Panel Installation Company

Although most homes in South East Queensland are perfect for solar panel installation, we still recommended you do research to determine if solar power is right for you. A great resource is SolarQuotes.com.au but if you prefer to speak with someone, we offer free in-person and over the phone consultations.

So if you’re ready to start saving money on your energy bills, contact SolarEze today or call 0410 658 790 to book in your free consultation and get a solar panel installation quote. Our friendly experts are only a phone call away from helping you get an efficient solar panel system installed on your roof.