# Does Your Roof Meet the Requirements for Solar Panels?

- Link: https://mycoastalwindows.com/does-your-roof-meet-the-requirements-for-solar-panels/
- Published: 2015-07-14T12:03:53-04:00
- Author: Jeremy Wood

If you’re thinking about going solar, great! The first step to being a proud solar
owner is to check to see if your roof is a good candidate by asking yourself these
questions…

[⌊roof with solar panels⌉⌊roof with solar panels⌉[

## **What direction does your roof face?**

The [ideal roof](https://mycoastalwindows.com/roofing/) 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. However, roofs that are slanted
east or west can still be good candidates if they meet the other requirements.

[⌊location of solar panels on roof⌉⌊location of solar panels on roof⌉[

## **Do you have enough room for solar panels?**

Roofs without dormers, skylights, or chimneys are good matches for solar. Most Solar(
PV) systems use between 20-30 panels and, with each panel taking up 18 square feet,
you should ensure that your roof has approximately 400-600 square feet of open space.

[⌊Our latest promotion⌉⌊Our latest promotion⌉[

## **Is your roof slanted or flat?**

Roofs with a slant of 30-45 degrees are the best candidates for solar. Flat roofs
can also accommodate solar, however, the mounting system will be different from 
panels on a slanted roof.

## **What is your roof made out of?**

You can attach solar panels to most surfaces, with shingles being the easiest and
most popular material. Moreover, if your roof is slate or clay, installers need 
to take extra care during PV installation because these materials are more prone
to breakage.

## **Is your roof showing signs of old age?**

If your roof is showing signs of age such as cupping or lifting, you should consider
replacing it before installing a PV system. Therefore, removing a PV system is costly
and time-consuming, so ensuring your roof’s quality beforehand can help avoid this.

[⌊roof condition for solar panels⌉⌊roof condition for solar panels⌉[

The poor condition of the roof pictured above means you should replace it before
installing solar panels.

## **Does your roof spend a lot of time in the shade?**

Ideally, your panels should receive sunlight between 9 am and 4 pm, ensuring at 
least six hours of continuous exposure. Additionally, shading from trees, buildings,
or roof features like dormers and chimneys can reduce your PV panels’ electricity
output.

The easiest way to determine if your roof is a good candidate for solar panels is
to call [Boston Solar](https://www.bostonsolar.us/) for a free consultation at (
617) 858-1645.

Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you!

The Boston Solar Team

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