Where are the solar panels going?

On a typical home in the northern hemisphere, the ideal place for solar panels is facing the south mounted on top of a roof. Here, the modules are out of the way and not taking up space in your yard.

They face the sun during the peak hours and soak up all the sunshine they can and turn it into some useful power that we all use every day. If they are on the rooftop, then they do not have to deal with too many shadows and obstructions that happen when the panels are mounted on the ground.

It's also ok if your roof does not face the south because modern solar panel systems can work on east and west facing roofs too, but any rotation toward the south makes them run a little better.
 

Determine if your roof is ready for solar

To determine whether your roof is big enough for solar, start with a ballpark solar estimator. PV modules can produce about 10 to 15 watts per square foot of area. a 5,000-watt system needs about 500 square feet of roof space to work.

You can take quick measurements of your roof area from a ladder, or you may want to get on the roof and accurately measure. Just be careful, because you don't want to fall off the roof or ladder.

You cannot install solar modules within 5 to 10 inches from the edge of the roof edge or roof peak. In some jurisdictions, this no-installation zone may extend as far as three feet from the edge of the roof. You should ask your local building authority what the rules are, so you can do it right the first time.
 

Solar modules cannot cover roof penetrations

Solar modules cannot cover most roof penetrations, like chimneys, or air vents sticking out of the roof. Covering them can result in damage to both the solar system and the roof itself. However, sometimes those obstructions can be trimmed or reworked to allow solar panels to cover them.

To find out what panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.