Are you considering installing solar panels? Then you should first check whether your roof is suitable for this. Keep in mind the orientation and slope of your roof, and the shadow on the different parts of your roof also plays a role. With this article you can easily determine whether your roof is suitable for a solar installation.
What is the shape of my roof: flat or sloping?
Sloping and flat roofs are both suitable for solar panels, on a flat roof the installation of solar panels is slightly easier.
In addition to the shape of your roof, the slope also plays an important role. South-facing solar panels (you can read more about this below) that have an angle of inclination of 36 ° yield a maximum yield in Belgium. When that angle of inclination fluctuates between 20 and 60 °, your yield is about 5% less than the maximum annually. With a flat roof, it is best to place the solar panels on rails with a slope between 15 ° and 35 °. Click here to visit power providers nz.
How is my roof oriented to the sun?
For optimal efficiency in Belgium, you should direct the solar panels to the south. Is this not possible? Then choose a southeastern or southwestern orientation. Do you direct the solar panels to the east or west? Then your return will decrease by 20% compared to a southeastern or southwestern location. Do you have a north-facing roof? Then it is not recommended to install solar panels.
Is there a lot of shade on my roof?
Trees, lampposts, skylights, fireplaces, other buildings… They all provide shade on a roof. Solar panels connected in series thus achieve a lower efficiency. Do you have a flat roof? Make sure that you have the solar panels placed far enough apart. This way you avoid one row of solar panels casting a shadow over the other.
Do you want to be sure that shade does not affect your solar installation? Then choose solar panels that are connected in parallel. ARALT, Solar Expertise by Essent, works with this type of panels as standard, because energy loss never occurs.
Is the carrying capacity of my roof large enough?
Solar panels are installed on a support structure, so your roof must have sufficient load capacity to support both the solar panels and that support structure. A standard solar panel on an aluminum frame weighs about 10 to 25 kilos / m².
Almost any type of roofing (roof tiles, roofing …) is suitable for solar panels. A glass and thatched roof is not strong enough. Also check the current condition of your roofing, because if it is due for replacement, it is best to do that first.
Is the surface of my roof sufficiently large?
A skylight or other obstacles limit the number of solar panels you can install. The most sold solar panels are rectangular and cover an area of approximately 1.6 m². To meet the needs of an average family (about 3600 kWh / year) you need an area of 17.5 to 23.5 m² of solar panels. A flat roof must be at least 15 – 20 m² in size, so that a system with at least 8 solar panels can be installed.
Also check whether there is enough free space to place the solar panels far enough from the roof edge. The closer the solar panels are to the eaves, the more wind they absorb and the more vulnerable they are. The exact distance depends on the height of your solar panels, but count on 0.5 to 1 meter. Must visit electric vehicles nz
Do an extra check of your roof with the Solar map
When you enter your address on Solar Map Flanders , you will immediately see an estimate of how (unsuitable) your roof is for installing solar panels. There are three options: ideal, usable and limited usable or not usable.
Is a certain part of your roof colored dark green on the Solar Map? Then solar panels provide more energy than is necessary for your family consumption. Larger solar installations can be placed on such roofs.
Please note: the card does not take into account roof windows, solar panels / water heaters that are already installed on the roof and the carrying capacity of the roof.