Solar Panels for Apartments
Today, more and more people are exploring the idea of solar panels. A solar power system is a surefire way to save money on your energy bill. Also, it is a great way to help the environment.
Just like solar panels for mobile homes. solar panels for apartments can save you money in the long run. The initial cost of solar panels may seem like a lot, but they pay for themselves in a short time. In addition, the value solar panels add to your apartment cannot be understated.
In this article, we explore everything you need to know about solar panels for apartments. This includes the benefits, the cost, and the process of installing them. After reading this article, you’ll know whether or not solar panels are right for your apartment complex.
What Are Solar Panels for Apartments?
Solar panels for apartments are installed on the roofs of apartment buildings to generate electricity. Solar panels can be used to offset the cost of your electric bill, or even provide all of the power for the units in the building.
Benefits of Solar Panels for Apartments
Portable solar panels for apartments come with a wide range of benefits, including:
Control Over Your Electricity
Solar panels give you the ability to generate your own electricity, which means you’re not as reliant on the grid. This is especially beneficial during power outages or times of crisis when utility rates are high.
Getting full control of your apartment’s electricity means that you can save money on your monthly bills, as well as take advantage of net metering policies and solar rebates (if available in your area).
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Solar panels are a renewable energy source, which means they help reduce your carbon footprint. In fact, according to the EPA, one solar panel can offset about 176 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
Solar panels also help displace other forms of energy that produce harmful emissions, such as coal and natural gas.
Increase the Value of Your Apartment
Solar panels can increase the value of your apartment, making it a more attractive option for potential buyers in the future.
Selling a house with solar panels is likely to result in a higher price and a quicker sale. This means that installing solar panels could make a significant return on your investment if you decide to sell your apartment in the future.
Tax Breaks and Cash Incentives
In some cases, you may be eligible for tax breaks or cash incentives when you install solar panels in your apartment. This could include a federal tax credit, state rebate, or local incentive.
Clean, Renewable Energy
Whether you install solar panels for your TV and lights or go solar for your entire apartment, you’re using a clean, renewable source of energy. This is good for the environment and helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar panels produce energy without emitting harmful pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Improved Aesthetics
Solar panels can actually improve the look of your apartment. Newer solar panel technology is sleek and unobtrusive, and can even be integrated into the design of your roof. It also prevents sunlight from absorbing into the building materials which can help keep the apartment cool in the summer.
Factors to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels
Before installing solar panels for apartments, there are several factors to consider. These include:
Cost
The last thing you want to do is spend all your money on installation and maintenance. Solar panels can be expensive, so it’s important to factor in the cost before making the decision to install them.
Take a close look at your budget and see which solar panels fit into it. Work with an expert to get an estimate of what it will cost to install and maintain the solar panels.
Type of Solar Panel
The type of solar panel you choose should depend on the climate and the amount of sunlight your apartment gets. If you live in an area with a lot of sun, you can afford to get panels that are a little less efficient.
There are three types of solar panels:
- Monocrystalline: made from a single crystal of silicon and the most efficient
- Polycrystalline: made from multiple crystals of silicon and less expensive
- Thin-film: made from layers of film that are placed on top of one another
Durability
Many solar panels on the market are designed to withstand high winds and heavy snowfall, making them ideal for apartments in locations that experience harsh weather conditions.
They often come with a warranty of 25 years or more, so you can rest assured knowing that your investment will be protected for years to come.
Any solar panel that comes with a warranty of fewer than 25 years should be a deal-breaker. You don’t want to have to replace your panels every few years since that will end up costing you more in the long run.
Efficiency
When choosing solar panels for your apartment, it’s important to consider their efficiency. The higher the efficiency, the more power they’ll be able to generate from the sun.
Can solar panels power an entire house ? To answer this question, you should ask your supplier. If you want to go completely off the grid, then you’ll need to purchase panels with a high-efficiency rating.
But if you’re just looking to offset your energy usage and lower your monthly bills, then panels with a lower efficiency rating will suffice.
Solar Panel Installation Tips
You don’t have to hire a professional to install solar panels in your apartment. Today, there are many DIY solar panel kits available that make it easy for anyone to install their own solar panels.
Some, like the Complete DIY Solar Panel Kit. 800 Watts Solar from Shop Solar Kits, come with everything you need to get started, including solar panels, inverters, and wiring. This makes it a great option for those who are just starting out with solar panel installation.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Research, Research, Research
Researching before, during, and after you install your solar panels is important. You want to make sure that you understand the process and have all of the necessary information and tools before you begin.
You’ll also want to research different types of solar panels and find the ones that are right for your needs. Not all solar panels are created equal, so it’s important to find the ones that will work best for you and your budget.
Get the Right Tools
In order to install your solar panels, you’ll need a few tools. First, you’ll need a ladder or some other way to get on top of your roof. You’ll also need a drill, screw gun, sockets and wrenches, saws, and other basic hand tools.
It’s also important to have a helper when you’re installing solar panels for apartments. They can hold the ladder for you or help you with the heavy lifting.
Follow Instructions
When you’re ready to install your solar panels, follow the instructions that come with your kit. This ensures that you do it correctly and that your solar panels are installed properly.
Understand How Many Panels You Need
The number of solar panels you need depends on a few factors, including the size of your apartment and how much sunlight it gets. You can use a solar calculator to help you determine how many panels you’ll need.
Calculate the Energy Required
Before you install your solar panels, you’ll need to calculate the energy required. This will help you determine how many panels you’ll need and where to place them. You can easily do this using an online calculator, or you can ask an expert to do this for you.
Choose the Right Location
The location of your solar panels is important. You want to find a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and is free from shade for most of the day. You also want to make sure that the brickwork is strong enough to support the weight of the panels.
Hire a Professional
If you’re not comfortable installing your own solar panels, you can always hire a professional. The main advantage of hiring a professional is that they have the skills, knowledge, and experience to get the job done right.
They will also help you determine the best states for solar panels so that you can get the best out of your investment.
Final Thoughts
Solar panel installation is a big project, but it’s one that you can do yourself with the right tools and information. With the insights and tips outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to powering your apartment with solar panels.
Something worth mentioning is that you should always consult with your landlord before making any alterations to the property, such as installing solar panels. This is to ensure that you are not breaking any rules or regulations in your lease agreement.
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Can Solar Panels Be Installed Flat?
Yes. But wait: there’s more!
When asking “can solar panels be installed flat?” it’s important to consider the variety of available roofing styles and materials, which are sometimes determined by just how “flat” your roof really is.
This raises a follow-up question: will you need brackets to install solar panels? The answer here also depends on your flat roof’s slope, as well as the materials used in its construction.
Before we get into mounting brackets, let’s look at some technical terms to help you understand how the whole thing works.
Is Your Roof Really Flat?
Remember when you thought the day would never come when you’d actually use that high school geometry class? Well, it’s here now.
Builders measure a roof’s slope (or “pitch”) as rise over run, in terms of inches. This means a roof with a slope of 4:12 will increase vertically (rise) by 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal travel (run).
In general, even “flat” roofs have slopes ranging from 0:12 to 2:12, and most still employ some amount of slope for water drainage. The same slope expressed in inches can also be expressed as an angle (in degrees), or as a grade (percentage). For example, a roof with a 2:12 slope has an angle of 9.46º, and a 16.67% grade.
All of this math is helpful for understanding the ultimate goal of your installation: to capture the maximum amount of sunlight with the panels. One reliable guideline suggests the angle from the rooftop’s surface should be roughly equal to the property’s latitude. In Southern California, this means the panels need to be angled at roughly 30-32 degrees.
Finding an experienced solar installation expert, however, is probably the biggest consideration to ensure a successful home system: they should be able to overcome any hurdles to installing solar panels, whether your roof is flat or sloped.
Types of Flat Roofs
Common construction materials include:
- Asphalt shingles
- Clay or concrete tiles
- Metal panels
- Mineral-surfaced roll roofing
- Built-up roofing
- Modified bitumen systems
- Other liquid applications that dry to form a seal
A combination of factors, including the roof’s age, sunlight exposure (UV radiation), and a propensity for leaks, means flat roofs often reflect their wear and tear more easily than sloped roofs. For example, tar and gravel roofs have estimated lifespans of 25 years, which compares well to shingle roofs. However, the “life” is contingent upon regular maintenance to keep the gravel surface fresh, and firmly affixed to the tar. Adding solar panels to this roof type could possibly complicate—or otherwise change—the required maintenance regimen, so it is best to consult a professional solar installer.
For Flat Roofs
If your roof is parallel to the ground, installing solar panels can be a straightforward process. While installing photovoltaic (PV) shingles requires a minimum slope of 2:12, solar panels can indeed be installed flat on such a roof—as long as a slight angle still exists between it and the PV panels.
To ensure success, your solar panel expert will likely make several design decisions prior to attaching the panels to your roof. These may include the use of mounting brackets or other devices to optimize the angle of your panels.
While wind is generally not a major concern in Southern California, stronger gusts could cause some lifting of your solar panels. As a result, installers may compensate by incorporating extra ballast (weight), using anchors that drill into the roof surface, or a combination of the two.
For Sloped Roofs
Homeowners with sloped roofs—4:12 or more—can choose from a myriad of installation options. They can be mounted flat to existing shingles without special brackets for angling purposes, or installed with a greater slope than the roof on the southern exposure to capture more sunlight. Your solar expert can help you choose the best option for your particular home.
Solar Shingles and Sloped Roofs
A key advantage of sloped roofs is the option to use solar shingles. These solar panels are designed to be installed either on top of existing roofs or in place of existing shingles. There are numerous benefits to solar shingles, but some of the biggest advantages include maintaining aesthetic cohesion with your home’s exterior and meeting homeowner association requirements.
Because they place no additional weight on the rooftop, and require no drilling into structural members, solar shingles present fewer installation issues. They also create fewer (if any) rooftop obstructions for antennas, dishes, dormers, and the like.
Solar shingles may be best suited for homeowners who are already in the market for roof repair, or looking for a durable long-term replacement option. In addition, they may not necessarily be as efficient as a solar panel system at gathering sunlight without adjustment if the slope is greater than or lower than 8:12.
For Every Roof
You may want to ask your solar specialist to calculate the change in relative efficiency of photovoltaic panels, so you know your system is performing at maximum efficacy. You already know that roof slopes are measured in terms of inches as rise:run. In terms of solar shingle performance, converting those rise:run ratios into angles illustrates a significant variance.
For example, the angle of an 8:12 roof is 33.69 degrees, but for a 4:12 roof it’s only 18 degrees. Since the ideal angle for solar panels in Southern California is around 30 degrees, this 12-degree discrepancy can make a significant difference in how much sunlight your panels are able to capture.
Selecting Solar Panels for Flat Installation
Many factors can influence how you select solar panels that can be installed flat. Understanding the mounting options for both flat and sloped roofs is a good starting point, as well as being aware of existing neighborhood design and planning restrictions for your home.
The best way to ensure a solar system meets your electricity generation goals, aesthetics, and your budget is to work with experienced installers whose designs encompass a variety of roofing styles and materials. Partner with experts who understand how to install solar panels at the optimal angle for sloped or flat roofs.
Solar Panels On A Flat Roof. Yes. Here’s How.
As renewable energy becomes more affordable, it becomes more and more ubiquitous. We have arrived at a point in time where it isn’t easy to cruise through just about any neighborhood without seeing at least one solar panel.
While any building can benefit from installing solar panels, some people may wonder if their roof might not be a viable candidate for housing the panels. These would be the people with flat roofs on their buildings.
Can You Install Solar Panels on a Flat Roof?
Not every building has an A-line roof, and there are those of us out there who’ve had the audacity to build ourselves a building with a flat roof. While it looks great, and it’s something different, a flat roof can present a few obstacles to features common to many other buildings.
You can install solar panels on a flat roof, but to do so, you’ll have to make some adjustments that your pitch-roof owning neighbors wouldn’t. But it’s possible, and by installing solar panels on your roof—flat or otherwise—you can do a lot to cut down on your utility bills and help even a little bit in the quest to preserve the environment.
Three Ways to Install Solar Panels on a Flat Roof
Whenever people figure out a way to do something, other people surely come up with alternate solutions. Solar panel installation is no different, even when regarding a flat roof. Each method has its pros and cons, and each approach may or may not work with your particular roof due to the construction features you have, but a best way exists for you and your building.
Attached
Installing solar panels by attaching them involves drilling into the roof and connecting them directly to the structure. However, attached mounts go beyond just screwing some bolts into the roof and hoping for the best.
Once installers drill into the roof, they apply a chemical anchor, filling the holes. Once it has set, the chemical anchor serves to exert a firmer hold than just driving wood screws into the roof decking or support beams would provide.
Ballasted
As the name implies, ballasted installation relies on weight—in this case, usually concrete bricks or blocks. The panels themselves rest in a series of trays, and those (usually) metal trays also support the concrete blocks. These blocks apply the weight that holds the panels down and in place on your roof.
The big plus here is that ballasted installation does not require drilling into the roof. As we’ll see later, drilling into a flat roof for any kind of installation can potentially create issues with leaks. These can end up damaging more than just your roof but can extend to cause problems with your walls, carpets and other flooring, or your furniture and personal belongings.
In areas where high winds are an issue (think Oklahoma, where the winds come sweeping, etc.), installers may utilize a hybrid ballast installation. Some portion of the system depends on drilling and getting anchored to the roof.
While this hybrid method does negate some of the positive aspects of the ballast installation not requiring any penetration of the roof, it also vastly reduces the chances that your panels will blow away during a severe weather event.
Concrete Footing or Foundation
For some roof installations, the home or building owner may not have the option of drilling into the roof. There may be insurance issues at hand, or perhaps a concrete roof prevents it. In that case, concrete footing installation is a good solution.
Installers attach concrete blocks to the roof in question and then attach the solar panel racks. There is no compromise of the roof in this case.
Concrete footings often get used on a flat roof with parapet walls surrounding them. Since the parapets will cast shadows, if your panels lie low enough, shadows will interfere with their efficiency. Concrete footings can raise the panels, and that added elevation addresses the issue of parapet shadows.
Footings also help ensure the panels do not get upset by severe weather. Barring the devastating power of a tornado, panels installed on concrete footings are better suited to survive the high winds of a serious rain or windstorm.
Costs of Installing Solar Panels on a Flat Roof
About ten percent of your total solar panel system and installation costs will go to labor. While some aspects of a flat roof installation may be more expensive than a pitched roof, these costs may be offset by the relative safety of working on a flat roof.
Installers working on a pitched roof are much more likely to fall than on a flat roof. This can lower insurance costs for the installation company, which one would hope would translate to savings passed on to the customer.
Depending on many factors, the average cost of installing a solar panel system on a flat roof will run in the low five figures, up to about 15,000 before federal tax credits. Those factors include:
- Number of panels
- Type of mounting system employed
- Batteries for power storage
Installers may also face issues specific to the roof in question that could complicate things, making installation more expensive. However, all told, installing on a flat roof will almost always incur comparable costs to installing the same on a pitched roof.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
There are, indeed, disadvantages to installing solar panels on a flat roof. However, almost all of them can be managed so that they don’t cause problems or can be completely overcome. After all, if you’re going to pay what you’ll have to pay for a solar panel system, you need it to work well and not cause problems.
These can include the pooling of water and leaks that often follow that. Dirt and debris can significantly diminish the panels’ efficiency, and actual flat installation may not be an option. Let’s explain.
Pooling Can Cause Leakage
Not many flat roofs are actually flat. Most of them have a pitch of a few degrees to allow for water runoff to keep water from pooling. However, with solar panel installation, the weight of the units could put a kink in the water drainage by creating minor deviations in the roof’s pitch.
Maybe the roof installation gets compressed by the panels’ weight, or perhaps drilling into the roof has interrupted the slope. No matter the reason, pooling can be an issue, and if you discover it, you need to deal with it as soon as possible.
Water allowed to pool on a roof for more than 48 hours can lead to issues, which we’ll get to in a moment. But it’s important to note that in the roofing industry, the term is “ponding.” By definition, that water has stood on your roof for 48 hours after a rain.
If water stands for several hours, problems won’t likely arise, as roofing materials are manufactured with water resistance as a part of their construction. However, even the hardiest materials will eventually succumb to water damage. Remember that water is the only universal solvent. Sure, every living thing needs it to survive, but it will ruin anything given enough time to do so.
Pooling can lead to leaks in your flat roof, and as we mentioned earlier, leaks can cause all sorts of damage. Having your solar panel installation done on your flat roof by professional installers rather than relying on Uncle Cletus and his can-do attitude will go far in ensuring you avoid roof damage or other problems that arise from pooling water and roof leaks.
They Get Dirtier
A great advantage to having your solar panels on a pitched roof is that rain, dust, and dirt roll off the panels much more easily than they would without a slope. Since solar panels need as much sun exposure as possible to work at maximum efficiency, the dustier or dirtier your panels get, the worse they’ll function.
Finding solar panels on a flat roof that have been installed to lie completely flat is difficult because even flat-roof panels usually get installed with at least some slant to them—even if it’s only three or four degrees. This allows rainwater to drain off the panels, and any dust on them will roll off with it.
But since panels on a flat roof will almost always sit flatter than those on a pitched roof, they will never shed water, dust, dirt, or other debris as efficiently.
You Might Still Need to Tilt the Panels
We just mentioned the slight tilt in almost any flat-roof installation, but in this case, we mean a more severe tilt. Earlier, the idea of parapets came up. Depending on how high they might be, you may need more of an angle to your panels.
You may also need to tilt your panels to maximize the use of space on your roof. If you do not have enough space on your roof relative to the number of panels you need, tilting the panels will free up some space since a tilted panel will take up less space than a flat one.
FAQs
Solar power installation brings a lot of variables from site to site, so it’s difficult to answer every question that may come up. Still, here are a few of the more common ones that come up regarding solar panel installation, specifically on a flat roof.
Is solar panel output lower with a flat roof?
No, solar panel output is not lower with a flat roof. While you’ll need to orient and angle your panels so they’re as south-facing as possible, tilting panels on a flat roof isn’t difficult. And as we’ve already discussed, no matter the pitch of your roof (or lack thereof), your panels will more than likely sit with at least some incline, even if it’s only a few degrees. You may even get a more efficient angle with flat-roof installation since you can control the amount of pitch your panels have better than on a more traditional home roof with peaks and slants that might be more severe than is best for your panels.
Is solar panel output lower with a flat roof?
No, solar panel output is not lower with a flat roof. While you’ll need to orient and angle your panels so they’re as south-facing as possible, tilting panels on a flat roof isn’t difficult. And as we’ve already discussed, no matter the pitch of your roof (or lack thereof), your panels will more than likely sit with at least some incline, even if it’s only a few degrees. You may even get a more efficient angle with flat-roof installation since you can control the amount of pitch your panels have better than on a more traditional home roof with peaks and slants that might be more severe than is best for your panels.
Do flat roofs require specialized solar installers?
While you probably don’t want to hire someone who has never installed solar panels on a flat roof before, the truth is that most qualified solar panel installers will be equally comfortable working on sloped or pitched roofs. They may be more at home on a flat surface simply because it’s statistically safer than working on a pitched roof.
Do panels always need to be tilted on a flat roof?
Your panels will need to be tilted no matter the angle of the roof on which they sit for several reasons. Because of the tilt of the earth’s axis relative to the sun, as we orbit our star, the sun’s rays hit us at different angles at different times of the year. This explains why the sun, in winter, appears to sit lower in the sky than it does at the same time on a summer day. At high noon in summer, the sun is in a much different spot than high noon in December. But no matter the time of day, homes in the northern hemisphere get the most light from the sun on their south sides. So all solar panels in the northern hemisphere need to face south to work best, just like southern hemisphere panels need to face north. This facing refers to the tilt of the panels. You can lay your panels flat, but you’ll get much more efficiency from them by tilting them. How much? The number of degrees of tilt equals your latitude. Houston, Tex. sits at a latitude of 29.7° N, so panels in that city will work best when tilted toward the south at about 30°. Portland, OR residents live at 45.5° N latitude, so their panels will work best when tilted at 45°.
How many solar panels do I need for a flat roof?
The number of panels you need in your solar power system has nothing to do with the pitch of the roof. Instead, you’ll need to: Figure the number of kilowatt-hours your home requires. Calculate how many kilowatt-hours you can expect a solar panel to generate in your area of the country. Decide on the size of solar panels you wish to install. Do the math. This formula applies whether your roof is flat or boasts the steepest of pitches.
Jenny Kim
Jenny Kim is the Solar Director at Green Building Elements where she is responsible with helping make solar power more accessible and affordable to anyone that wants to take advantage of the many benefits of solar energy. Jenny holds a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech where she paid her way through college as a top-performing inside sales representative for SolarCity. You can connect with Jenny on LinkedIn.
What You Need to Know About Using Solar Power for Apartment Buildings
Apartment buildings are becoming increasingly common across India, and one of the key questions that people living in these buildings have is how they are going to sustainably power them for years cost-effectively. Solar panels for apartments have emerged as the obvious solution for all these challenges. To know why and how, read on.
How Solar Panels for Apartments in India Can be a Winning Strategy
Solar energy apartments can be quite practical in India as a result of the reliable sunlight that the country receives from at least 10 in the morning to 4 in the evening in most places. During this time, 5 Ampere and 15 Ampere circuits, including loads, such as lights, fans, servers, computers, etc. can run directly by means of solar power. The excess energy needed can be drawn from the grid. Using net metering technology, the power that the apartment does not need can be directed back to the grid.
During the night, energy import can be employed to make all the appliances in the apartment run directly on the grid. Notably, a bi-directional meter makes a record of the net import and export. When the net import is more, consumers pay the electricity board as per the latest tariffs. Meanwhile, if net export is higher, the utility company gives credits to the consumers for the difference.
Impact of The Solar-Powered Apartment Complex
One of the main benefits is that all the loads end up being powered by solar energy. over, net metering can enable your solar system to produce as much as you consume or even more, which can help you save up to 100% on utility bills.
While individual apartment owners can set up portable solar panels for apartments for their own use, it makes more sense to have a common system up on the terrace for maximum cost saving.
Selecting the Best Inverters and Solar Panels for Buildings
If you are thinking “How can I make my apartment solar powered?”, then your priority should be to pick the right panels and inverters. You can select any one of the three available types of panels— polycrystalline, bi-facial, or mono-crystalline—as long as you take expert advice and buy from a company that has a service team available in your city and a strong balance sheet, which indicates that the company will be around for at least the next decade.
Further, based on your requirements, terrace space available, budget, shadow on the terrace, etc., you can choose from string, micro, central, and optimizer-based inverters from a reputed manufacturer.
Maintaining Solar Panel Apartment Buildings
Installing a solar system in your apartment complex will end up becoming one of the best investments you have made. This is because grid-tied solar-powered apartments have no batteries, and consequently, don’t require expensive replacements and regular, tedious maintenance.
To ensure the optimal performance of your on-grid system, you need to clean the panels periodically depending on how dirty they get over time. Also, ensure that you check the wiring, inverters, and other components by hiring the services of an expert occasionally.
Conclusion
Installing solar panels for apartment buildings is guaranteed to help your community save a lot of money in the long term when it comes to electricity bills, despite the initial challenges, such as government approvals. You will also be doing a huge service to the environment and ensuring that your residence is a role model for apartments across the country.
Reach us to know more about solar for apartments. Our expert team will be delighted to help you with everything ranging from solar panels for apartments cost to installing the right solar power system correctly.