Tesla solar panels are considered to be some of the best in the business. Nonetheless, there are some important things you need to think about if you’re considering installing them on the roof of your home or business. The company only allows its solar panels to be installed on certain types of roofs and certain roofing materials. That means they may not be an option for you or at least may not be the best option.
Tesla Solar Roof vs. Solar Panels
If you’re considering a Tesla solar power system, you must first understand the difference between their solar panels and a Tesla Solar Roof. Tesla solar panels function similarly to other major brands in terms of performance and installation process, but they are designed to integrate with Tesla’s proprietary equipment and monitoring systems. The Tesla Solar Roof system is completely different and takes the place of the existing roofing materials.
With a Solar Roof, the roof is first stripped down to the wooden deck by removing the old shingles or other roofing materials. The Solar Roof system is then installed over the deck and acts just like the old roof did. The system consists of glass solar tiles that produce solar power, and these tiles are paired with architectural-grade steel shingles to add strength and durability. The result is that almost the entire roof becomes one large solar panel while still having mostly the same appearance as a standard roof.
Which Types of Roofs Are Suitable for Tesla Solar Panels?
Tesla has two types of mounting brackets that allow their solar panels to be installed on different types of roofs and are compatible with many common types of roofing materials. The first type of bracket is for use on the standard sloped roof you see on the majority of houses while the second type allows the panels to be mounted at an angle on most types of flat roofs, such as those commonly found on many commercial buildings.
You can mount Tesla solar panels on the most common types of shingles, including three-tab and architectural asphalt shingles as well as composite shingles. They can also be mounted on concrete shingles. Tesla solar panels may not be compatible with all types of metal roofs. Standing seam metal roofs, for example, may support solar panel installations with specialized brackets, though Tesla may not offer these directly. Consult a qualified installer to assess your compatibility.
Weight Requirements for Mounting Tesla Solar Panels
Before you can install Tesla solar panels or any other type of solar panels, a roofing contractor will first need to make sure that your roof meets certain requirements. Namely, it must be strong enough to support the additional weight of the solar panels with no issue. This requirement is generally no issue if your roof has asphalt or composite shingles.
Concrete tiles are heavier and can be prone to breaking if they have too much weight on them. As such, the solar panels can only be installed if the concrete tiles are strong enough to handle 6.5 pounds of weight per square foot. Anything less and the solar panels and mounting brackets would likely damage the shingles and result in the roof leaking.
Pitch Requirements for Solar Panels on a Sloped Roof
The ideal pitch for adding solar panels on a sloped roof is between 15 and 45 degrees. Anything under 15 degrees and the solar panels won’t be at a sufficient angle to catch the sunlight, resulting in them creating very little power. If the roof pitch is more than 45 degrees, it would make installing the solar panels far more difficult. The panels will also be at too much of an angle to the sun, which would again greatly limit how much power they can produce.
Other Considerations When Installing Roof-Mounted Solar Panels
Tesla solar panels can be a fantastic investment that allows you to lower your electricity bills. Depending on energy use, location, and available incentives, many homeowners see a return on investment within 10–15 years. However, installing solar panels on your roof isn’t always going to be worth the cost, especially on certain sloped roofs. That’s because it depends on factors like which direction the different slopes of the roof face.
In the US, solar panels will produce the most amount of power if installed on a south-facing roof slope so that they receive direct sunlight for most of the day. Solar panels installed on an east- or west-facing slope won’t produce quite as much power since they’ll only receive direct sunlight from the morning to early afternoon or from around noon to the evening. If your only option is to install the panels on a north-facing roof slope, it’s generally never going to be worth it. North-facing slopes receive almost no direct sunlight, resulting in the solar panels producing almost no energy.
When determining if it’s worth installing roof-mounted solar panels and choosing the best location, you also need to consider whether there are obstructions on the roof or next to the building. Specifically, you need to think about things like large trees in the yard, neighboring buildings and even chimneys or roof-top HVAC units that cause parts of the roof to be shaded during certain times of the day.
If you have a suitable south-facing slope that’s mostly shaded during the morning or afternoon, installing the panels on an east- or west-facing slope instead will likely result in them working more effectively and producing more power.
Do You Need to Replace Your Roof Before Installing Solar Panels?
Another thing to consider before installing solar panels is the condition of your roof. The majority of solar panels will work for around 25 to 30 years. The panels won’t just suddenly stop working after this time, but they may gradually deteriorate to the point that they no longer produce power effectively.
Asphalt shingles also typically only last for 25 to 30 years, while composite shingles usually have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years. The fact that these roofing materials have about the same life expectancy as solar panels do is something you should think about when deciding whether now is the right time to install a roof-mounted solar system.
If you replaced your roof within the past few years, you’ll usually have no issues. If your roof is already 10-15+ years old, you may want to either put off installing the solar panels or just replace it first. It is possible to remove the solar panels should your roof start to fail and need to be replaced. However, the added work means the cost of replacing your roof will be higher.
Expert Solar and Roofing Services
With over 10 years of professional experience and 400+ employees, KPost Company is the name to trust for roofing and solar power services for roofs in Dallas. We serve residential and commercial customers and can assist you with upgrading to Tesla solar systems, traditional solar panels, solar battery storage and more.
To schedule a consultation and get help choosing the right solar system for your building, contact us today.
