Ask Yourself These Questions Before Installing Solar Roofing

1. How Much Energy Do You Need?

Take a quick assessment of how much electricity your household needs before buying solar panels. How many kilowatts are you consuming each month? Multiply that number by 25 and run it by your Bay Area solar company to get an idea of how large your new solar system will be.

2. Are You Ready For Solar Roofing Installations?

Or, can you handle the upfront costs? Every year solar panels are getting more cost-effective, dropping more than 60 percent since 2011. Aside from knowing which panels are suited for you and which ones are overpriced, you’ll also need to prepare upfront money (around $15,000 upwards) for solar solutions, including subsidiaries, local tax credits and federal credits.

3. Are You Staying Long?

Solar roofing installations typically pay for themselves over a period of 5 to 6 years. While you take advantage of lower electricity bills immediately, the cost of installation is quite high and won’t be recouped until that time. Solar panels is a good solution if you intend to stay in your current residence for the long term, and not so much if you’re planning on moving or relocating in the near future.

4. Can Your Roof Hold The Solar Panels?

The beauty of solar panels is that they can be installed on almost any roof type; the only difference is the speed of installation and how soon you can use it once it’s there. For example, homes that have regular wood shingles or Spanish tiles may need to hire a East Bay roofing contractor who knows how to work it in.

5. Do You Have The Right Permits?

It’s wise to prepare in advance for your solar panels, and that includes securing the necessary permits for it. Get a building permit at the local level and make sure you follow the rules that pertain to your specific municipality.

6. Where Will The Panels Be Located?

The best location for solar panels is where they can get the most sunlight in a day. Obstructions such as tall trees and nearby buildings will significantly affect where your solar panels will be placed. Moreover, there are different types of solar panels, each with their own unique reactions to light and dark conditions.

7. Do You Have The Time?

Installing an adequate solar panel system will take some time. Wiring and panel placement can take a few days, but the solar project may take a few months starting from signing the contract up to the actual installation process.

8. Do You Have The Right Bay Area Solar Contractor?

Choose a solar roofing company who’s bonded, licensed, insured and has a strong warranty. The reviews and feedback from previous clients should be positive overall. These things can be found online or by asking the contractor for recent references.

Hire a Qualified Bay Area Solar Roofing Installer

Learn more about Century Roof Tile by checking out our website and testimonials. For a roof inspection, maintenance, solar consultation or installation, get in touch with us via our online contact form or by phone at 1-888-233-7548.

Thinking of putting in solar roofing for your next home improvement project?

Most Bay Area roofing contractors recommend solar shingles instead of traditional solar tiles to achieve a more energy-efficient home. Solar tiles are standalone, which means you can use it as the primary roofing material.

Solar Power Distribution of Solar Tiles

Solar tiles are wired to provide electricity for both off and on-grid systems. Having a solar panel system on an on-grid system allows you to power up homes and commercial establishments. Excess electricity generated from these tiles may be sold to the utility company for a rebate. Off-grid solar systems are more for back-ups in cases of power outages. They can also store energy for future use. Keep in mind that an off-grid system can be more expensive than an on-grid system.

All solar-powered systems make use of a power inverter that converts sun energy to usable electricity. A power inverter typically converts DC electricity into AC electricity for home use. Though solar roofing installation can be costly, the investment is recouped over time. They usually pay for themselves after several years of electricity production.

Solar Tile Pros

Solar roofing shingles are more aesthetically pleasing than their traditional counterparts. Home designers will appreciate the fact that this material enhances your home’s exterior design. You can choose from different sizes or models- from systems that make use of thin films to solid shingle-size tiles that look like any other traditional shingle.

You may opt for a more durable, waterproof solar tile during the time of installation. Bay Area solar roofing contractors will have an easier time during installation- they can just staple the tile directly to the roof. Furthermore, you may be qualified to get tax incentives if you go solar.

Solar tiles are more effective than traditional panels overall. Each shingle can generate up to 17 watts of electricity! Perhaps the most notable benefit of having solar tile roofing is that you won’t have to make room for large flat surfaces to install traditional solar panel systems.

Additionally, solar energy roofing can be constructed in a way that makes them highly resistant against strong winds.

Solar Tile Cons

• Initial installation costs can be steep.
• The roof has to have the right angle to efficiently catch solar energy. Also, the surface area must be sufficient to reliably power your property.
• On-grid systems will have no energy storage, which means you can’t use solar electricity during storms or in the night time.

Solar Energy Roofing in the Bay Area

Century Roof Tile is the go-to Bay Area roofing contractor for solar roofing installations, gutters, re-roofing and roof repair contact Century Roof Tile. At your earliest convenience, call (888) 233-7548 or contact us online for further assistance.

One of the most common questions we get as a Bay Area roofing contractor is, “Do I need a new roof if I want to install solar panels?”.

Some residents and business owners understandably worry about the roof’s integrity and size before considering Bay Area solar roofing installations:

•  “Will my current roof be enough to accommodate an array of solar panels?”
• “Will solar roofing cause leaks or compromise the overall structure of my roof?”
• “Is my roof large enough for a solar panel installation?”
• “Is my roof positioned to get the most sunlight?”

These are all valid concerns, but keep in mind that solar panel systems can be set up elsewhere, too, not just your roof.

It’s true that a solar company will first look at your roof as a viable platform for the solar panel installation, but there are other possible locations for it as well. Detached garages, poles, ground mounts and shade awnings are all good examples of solar panel spots. In some instances, your Bay Area roofing contractor may even install your solar panels on the ground because the roof is covered with shading. It’s all about finding the optimal location to best suit your needs.

Assessing Your Roof’s Condition for Solar Panels

If your roofing contractor deems that your roof is in a poor condition, then it would be a wise idea to have them replaced before installing the solar panel system. This will save you money and unnecessary headaches in the long run because you won’t have to re-install the solar panels when time comes and you need to replace the roof. Doing so will require additional solar panel removal and re-installation fees.

A good licensed roofing contractor can determine the condition of your roof and recommend the best course of action before installing solar roofing. Solar panels actually help you get more out of your new roof as it blocks out the harmful UV rays and protects it from hail, snow, and rain. Plus, it keeps the heat out from your home during the hot summer months!

The good news is that solar panels may be installed on almost all kinds of roofs, whether tile or composite. Shingle roofs and single plane roofs are the easiest ones to work with when installing new solar panels.

Contact the Leading Bay Area Solar Roofing Company

Checking to see if your current roof’s condition is good and if it’s sturdy enough is important if you want the best Bay Area solar roofing installation. Our licensed East Bay Area roofing contractors here to help you! Contact Century Roof Tile for any of your roofing or solar concerns at (888) 233-7548 or use our online contact form here.

Century Roof & Solar, operating out the East San Francisco Bay Area in Hayward, California, has been awarded GAF’s most prestigious contractor accreditation: The GAF President’s Club Award. From everyone at Century Roof & Solar, we would like to express our overwhelming appreciation and gratitude to GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, and are honored to receive this recognition.

Since our business’ birth in 1996, Installation Excellence, Consumer Protection, and Installer Training have remained three of the primary pillars Century Roof & Solar strives to deliver to each residential project and homeowner that entrusts our business with improving their personal home, bringing each to its full potential. Since 1999, our Bay Area roof contracting business has been identified by GAF as a Master Elite(R) Contractor, a distinction that we have taken pride in, and which allowed for our consideration for GAF’s most esteemed Preppidents Club Award in 2016. With this new accord, Century Roof & Solar joins only 2% of roofing contractors nationwide, and is affirmed as the Bay Area’s premier residential roofing contractor.

[NBC Article: Century Roof & Solar Receives GAF’s Prestigious 2017 President’s Club Award]

As a GAF President’s Club Award winner, our customers can be assured that Century Roof & Solar is:

• High Performing – providing property owners with the best possible service, quality, and protection.
• Reliable – personifying a long and successful history of high and undeviating performance.
• Customer-Oriented – consistently offering our customers the best protection available in the marketplace.

Our customers trust Century Roof & Solar not only as a result of our firm commitment to a systems-wide approach in replacing or repairing their roofs, but because we guarantee a reduction or elimination of their electric bill. This provides substantial value savings over the long-term. “Whether a customer’s motivation is economical, environmental, or independence-related,” states President Tony Diaz, “he or she can’t go wrong with a solar solution, and we are here to help. Our website www.centuryroofandsolar.com incorporates a Solar Solution Center as an information headquarters to answer all of our customers’ solar-related questions. It outlines the components of a typical installation, how a photovoltaic cell produces energy, and much more.”

Surely the marketplace has responded to Century Roof & Solar’s value proposition and customer-centric orientation: it has led to the contractor’s membership within the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, a Diamond Certification, an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, and finally, a GAF President’s Club Award recipient.

The Bay Area’s Premier Residential Roofing Contractor

For Bay Area re-roofing, roof repair and skylight installation, contact Century Roof Tile at (510) 780-9489 or use our online contact form.

There are a variety of options for property owners who are looking to make their homes, and especially their roofs, more environmentally friendly. Some changes to be made include an entire overhaul and new roof, while some only require adding on to the existing roof. Here are 5 great ways to make your roof more eco-friendly:

White Roof

One of the most straightforward ways to make your roofing more green is to go white. Replace all of your old dark colored roof shingles for white or light tan colored ones. This change is simple but very effective as it results in much lower electricity bills. Not only will the light shingles keep the sun from beating down too intensely on the top of your home, they will also help keep the interior of your home cooler.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are the perfect add-on option if your existing roof is still in good or excellent condition and you would like to keep things as are. The panels can be added by a qualified Bay Area solar company quickly and cleanly right on top of your existing roofing. Solar panels are an excellent way to save money while going green because they have been proven to drastically lower electricity bills. They gather energy from the sun during the day and harness that power for your home.

Metal Roofs

A metal roof is really a great idea for all kinds of homeowners because it comes with so many benefits. Metal roofs last a very long time and are known to be extremely durable. They also reflect the sun, so that your home stays cooler during the day. A bonus is that metal roofs are in-style at the moment, so you can make your house trendier at the same time that you are helping the environment.

Clay Roof Tiles

A clay roof is a roof that is made from clay or slate tiles that are naturally occurring. Spanish style homes often feature this kind of roof, whose benefits include long lasting properties as well as highly desired aesthetic. A Bay Area roofing contractor that is experienced with unique roofing types is essential when implementing something like this to make sure that the job is done well.

Green Roofing

Another add-on option is called a green roof. This option includes installing a garden on the top of your roof, with a variety of plants and flowers to assist in clean-air production and sun management. Though this isn’t a service offered here at Century Roof & Tile, having a roof inspection before starting a green roof is important.

Contact Our Bay Area Solar Company Today

When is comes to things like solar roofing installations and adding re-roofing projects, calling a professional is very important. The team here are Century Roof & Tile will help you through the entire process with ease, making your transition from old roof to eco-friendly roof painless and simple. Contact us today via our online contact form, or give us a call at (888) 233-7548 for more information.

Being in an age where having environmentally friendly everyday items is becoming more and more commonplace, solar roofing panels are quickly taking over neighborhoods across America. Not only do they look great, but they are environmentally friendly, save you money on electric bills, and last for many many years.

There are two main types of solar roofing called Crystalline and BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic). Both of these electricity making systems have a moderate cost when it comes to the initial installation, but over time they’ll pay for themselves by saving you money on energy bills. By cutting down the reliance on electricity, they have a positive effect on the environment by reducing pollution caused from power plants.

Recently solar roofing has been picking up at quite a fast pace. Many people jump to negative conclusions about the installation of a solar roof, with the belief that you have to make large holes in your roof and bring in heavy duty equipment to hold the panels.

However, that isn’t the case. With all the advancements in the field of solar energy roofing technology, today’s solar roofing products have all the benefits of lightweight tiles, ease of installation, and strong durability. These are just a handful of reasons solar roofing a great choice.

Solar roofs mainly consist of solar roof tiles, but can also consist of solar panels. Solar tiles are less prominent than large solar panels, which are fitted on top of the current roofing system. Solar tiles can be easily adjusted into the roofing shingles, and easily blend into the roof type because of their dark blue gray appearance. A person who doesn’t know about the presence of the solar roof tiles would not be able to identify them at the first glance. Solar tiles weigh 2-3 pounds for every square foot, making it easier to install when compared to heavier solar panels.

Solar roofing is very helpful if you are trying to avoid or cut down on a costly electricity bill. In the long run, and if installed correctly, solar roofing will prove less costly, and in some cases even eliminate the whole electricity bill. You may even be able to supply power to other homes if your energy consumption is small enough. Taking these factors into consideration, solar roofing could be a real great investment for you.

Contact Our Bay Area Solar Company Today

Whether you want solar roofing to save money on your electricity bills or to contribute towards reducing your energy consumption, having them fitted by a professional roofing contractor is a must. Having solar panels is a great step in the right direction to help protect the Earth and our environment. If you are interested in learning more about solar panels or solar tile installation, contact us online today or give us a call at (510) 780-9489.

High fuel costs, government incentives and a growing cultural acceptance that we collectively need to move beyond fossil fuels have created the perfect storm and sparked tremendous home owner interest in converting to home solar power. Meanwhile, relevant tech is getting cheaper and more durable, and utility solar energy development is also expanding. These shifts have boosted the growth of the solar industry and captured the nation’s attention and imagination.

Utility Solar Energy

Utility companies, concerned about expiring tax incentives, added significant solar capacity to their operations last year. The government also extended solar tax incentives, and industry watchers expect additional growth this year. 2016 will also see a new nuclear plant come on line, the first in 20 years. Renewable energy sources, combined with this new plant, are expected to produce two-thirds of new energy capabilities in the country over the coming year.

Commercial and Home Solar Energy

Residential solar power continues to be the fastest growing area of the U.S. solar industry, having experienced a 66% increase in solar capacity installation last year. Continued tax incentives and lowering installation costs appear to be fueling the growth of this industry. Commercial solar power installations are also increasing, as more businesses are taking advantage of a plethora of tax incentives and seeking to lower their operating expenses, not to mention their carbon footprint.

Home and business owners need to know that these tax advantages are only available when a professional installs their solar energy systems.

Work with Bay Area Solar Power Experts

Century Roof and Solar are experts in Bay Area solar energy. Our trained staff installs systems for home owners, apartment buildings and businesses. In fact, we have both a C10 electrical contractor and C39 roofing contractor – this in house expertise gives us the ability to maximize the efficiency and durability of our clients’ solar energy systems, regardless of where they live and their roof types. Call us to set up an appointment by calling (888) 233-7548, or visit noutililtybill.com to learn more.

The solar roofing boom is here for real in the Bay Area, and we’re excited to see the solar revolution spread, bringing substantial energy efficiency to thousands of Californians and reducing both carbon emissions and our collective dependence on The Grid. That said, many “solar curious” consumers still feel somewhat intimidated by the prospect of switching over. To that end, we’ve prepared the following brief FAQ about solar roofing installations and system maintenance.

1. Will your system break?

As with any other electronic system, solar roofing can malfunction. However, most solar roofing systems come with lengthy warranties on their most important components. Depending on the company’s policy and the specifics of the part, warranties may last as long as 25 years.

2. What can you do to hedge against problems?

Keep your panels clean of debris, particularly after big storms and during the fall season; spot and repair problems before they grow and spread; and have professionals check your panels on a regular basis to ensure optimum performance.

3. How will you know that the system is working properly?

To prevent problems, you need to monitory your system’s function continuously. Fortunately, most solar companies monitor the systems they install and inform customers when problems occur.

4. What if you need to fix your roof?

Depending on the nature and scale of the damage, the solar panels may need to be removed first. Unfortunately, the solar company will not cover this cost. Thus, if you have an older roof, or you need to make repairs, take care of these issues before you install solar roofing. Another great way to avoid problems with finger pointing as solar and roofing companies claim the other is responsible is to have one company perform both a roof inspection and a solar installation for you, this way you have one party to deal with in the event of an issue and your installer has a greater incentive to ensure a perfect job.

Solar Roofing Puts Money in Your Pocket and Eliminates Green House Gas Emissions

Transitioning to a solar energy household can be exciting but also scary, especially if you’re used to using grid energy, and you’re already engaged in big projects, such as moving into a new home or finishing a big remodel. We can help! Call the Century Roof & Solar professionals at (888) 233-7548 or (510) 780-9489 or contact us from our website to learn more about your roofing options and to price out various energy saving strategies.

Whether you’re a property manager overseeing multiple developments on Oceanfront land, or you’re a homeowner concerned about spiking energy costs, you’re seriously considering investing in solar roofing. Not only can such a shift reduce your energy bills in the short term, but it can also help the environment, make your property more valuable, and control long-term energy costs. Unfortunately, not all roofs are ideal for solar energy roofing. Here’s what you need to know:

Roof Types

It is easier to install solar roofing on some types of roofs. Tile roofs and shake roofs make a solar roofing installations more difficult, because minor damage — such as broken tiles — is inevitable. (Such problems can start even during installation, when workers climb on the roof and carry materials across it to secure the tiles.) While the costs associated with this type of damage aren’t prohibitive, they do raise the overall price of the installation.

An overly steep roof, meanwhile, presents a different set of challenges. Workers may need to use special equipment to complete the installation and/or conduct any maintenance and repairs.
Lastly, an overly flat roof also may be less than ideal; you could need to install special racks in order to place solar paneling at the right angle (like in the photo above).

Condition and Age

While properly installed and maintained solar energy roofing panels can reduce wear and tear on your roof, they cannot replace the roof itself, unless they consist of photovoltaic shingles. If your roof is near the end of its warranty and/or of its useful life, consider replacing or remodeling it before installing solar panels, and talk to a professional before you make any modifications.

Bay Area Solar Roofing Installations Experts Can Advise

The Century Roof & Solar team would love to assess your roofing needs and help you explore simple, cost effective methods to save energy, liberate yourself from the grid and do your part to limit your impact on the environment. Century can complete a solar roofing analysis to determine whether solar is a good option for you and what the best locations for solar panels would be for your home. Call us today at (510) 780-9489 or send us a message for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Since the U.S. Department of Energy began investing in solar in the 1980s, this environmentally-friendly energy source has continued to grow in popularity. In fact, given the incredible surge in interest in solar that’s developed over the past 5 years or so (hat tip: Elon Musk), California may be poised to witness a veritable solar energy revolution.

Check out these fun facts about solar solutions.

1. Solar tiles collect energy from the most abundant energy source available on our planet. – The sun supplies the Earth with 173,000 terawatts of continuous energy.

2. A single CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) plant can supply power to thousands. – One average sized CSP plant generates enough power for 70,000 homes.

3. Italy and Germany love solar. – Although any homeowner can invest in solar energy roofing, solar energy gets the most attention in Italy and Germany.

4. Spacecrafts utilize solar energy. – Since the 1960’s, orbiting satellites have put solar energy to good use.

5. California’s Mojave Desert houses the world’s largest solar energy project. – The Mojave Desert project includes 350,000 mirrors and will generate power for 140,000 homes.

[See Also: History of Solar Energy]

Bringing Solar Energy Roofing to Your Bay Area Home

Curious about exploring a solar solution for your home’s energy needs? The experienced solar roofing installers at Century Roof & Solar can help. Call (888) 233-7548 or contact us today for a solar consultation.

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