Arizona is one of the sunniest places in the country, which makes you very smart to want to take advantage of all that available renewable energy by installing solar panels on your home. This post will take you through some basic information on solar panels and the different roof requirements for solar panels in Arizona.
Why Go Solar in AZ?
Arizona is the sunniest state in the United States, receiving 3,872 hours of sunlight every year. This means that there’s abundant sunlight you can use to power your home and reduce your carbon footprint. All that extra sunlight can save you some serious cash, too. Installing solar panels can reduce your monthly electricity bills and lead to huge savings over time. There are also some great incentive programs you can take advantage of like tax breaks for residential homes with solar panels.
Potential Dangers to Your Roof from Solar Panels
It’s normal to worry about the dangers that solar panels can cause to your roof, especially since there are some risks involved with solar panel installation. Primarily, solar panels can damage your roof when they are being installed. Workers have to bolt down the panel brackets by drilling holes into your roof, which can cause leaks or other damage down the line. Luckily, there are some well-engineered ways to install solar panels, which our team at Roofstar Arizona would be happy to talk to you about.
Roof Requirements for Solar Panels in Arizona
There are no hard and fast regulations for roof requirements to install solar panels in Arizona. However, whether or not you can feasibly install solar panels depends on a variety of factors like:
- The size of your roof. Solar panels take up a lot of space, so you need to ensure you have ample room on your roof to allow for the panels to be installed. A single solar panel takes up about 18 sqft. The number of solar panels you’ll need will depend on the amount of electricity you use and the hours of sunlight your roof receives.
- Your HOA. If your homeowner’s association tells you that you cannot install solar panels, they’re actually breaking Arizona state law. While your HOA can put limitations on your solar panel installation, they’re legally not allowed to prohibit you from using them.
- The age and condition of your roof. Solar panels can last for a very long time, so you’ll want to make sure your roof is in good condition before you install them. This doesn’t mean that you need to replace your roof, but it’s an absolute must to get a roof inspection before moving forward with your solar panel installation.
Other FAQ
What kind of roof do you need for solar panels?
Solar panels can be installed on any type of roof. Slanted roofs are the easiest for installation in terms of slope, while shingles are the easiest material.
Do you need a south-facing roof for solar panels?
You don’t need your solar panels to face any certain direction, but if they can be south or west-facing it’s a lot better. This is because solar panels that face south tend to absorb more sunlight, meaning bigger savings for you!
How much roof space do I need for solar panels?
The size of your installation will depend on the size of your home, the amount of electricity you need, and the hours and strength of sunlight your home receives. The typical solar panel installation takes up anywhere from 200 to 1,000 square feet.
Get a Free Estimate Today
If you’re looking to get your solar panels installed and take advantage of the Arizona sun, Roofstar Arizona is prepared to help. Give our office a call today at (480) 426-1915 and we’ll help you navigate an estimate on your solar panel installation.