Problems With Rooftop Solar Panels

Fires can obliterate both the solar panels and roof none of these factors means rooftop solar is a lost cause.

Problems with rooftop solar panels.

They can degrade the performance of your panels and sometimes be irreparable. While solar panels offer clean energy there are a number of flashpoints to watch out for particularly during the installation process. They can be caused by several things including partial shading or soiling the panels accumulating dirt so you should try to mitigate these circumstances to protect your panels. Certain roofing materials used in older or historical homes such as slate or cedar tiles can be difficult for solar installers to work with throwing up a roadblock for solar power.

After all it s senseless trying to accomplish some good with a solar array on your roof if you end up with a system that causes leaks and damage. As they whiz around electrons are impossible to. Polystyrene insulation pads installed under the panels to minimize the risk of damage to the membrane are also cause for concern. When installing solar panels equipment like racking and wire harnesses can prevent the water from flowing and draining properly.

For optimum performance a solar panel should be at a 30 degree angle and face south or southwest. In general solar panels can be installed on almost every form of roofing. If you have solar panels on your roof the electrons they produce flow across the electric grid like water following a path of least resistance. As a result the voltage can rise which leads to a hotspot in the soldered points and or a cell.

This does not mean however that every rooftop solar array will be capable of producing the same amount of electricity. Badly soldered connections cause low resistance in the part of the panel that receives the power generated by the cell. In some cases solar equipment can move the water in a different direction which can create leaks and other problems. The average lifespan of a solar panel is about 20 years but high temperatures as in the mojave desert can accelerate the aging process for solar cells and snow dust and other natural events tornadoes earthquakes can cause material fatigue on the surface and in the internal electric circuits gradually reducing the panel s power output.

When it rains water runs down the roof into the gutters and out and away from your home. Hotspots on panels are mainly caused by badly soldered connections or are a result of a structural defect in the solar cells.