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.

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.

It has been four decades since California’s Solar Rights Act came into effect, firmly establishing the state’s policy of encouraging solar. Six sections of law[1] spelled out protections for solar energy installations while also establishing technical standards to be followed by the solar company.

But local administrative support and permitting requirements have remained remarkably uneven. In the midst of the recent colossal increase in solar installations, state officials have recognized that red tape and permitting costs still stood in the way for many homeowners looking to implement photovoltaic and other solar solutions. There was also a difficulty within homeowners’ associations, which sometimes thwarted solar installations by their members.

In response, California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi introduced AB 2188, which passed into law in September (shortly before Muratsuchi was unseated in November elections). The law gives cities and counties one year, until September 30, 2015, to implement the following:

• Adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, meaning ≤10 kW AC or 30 kW thermal systems on a single or duplex family dwelling. The new permitting process must comply with recommendations and standard plans in the latest California Solar Permitting Guidebook.
• Adopt a checklist of all requirements for small rooftop solar energy systems to be eligible for expedited review. Again, this checklist must come from the Solar Permitting Guidebook.
• Publish the checklist and required permitting documentation for public access on the city/county website, if one exists. (The League of California Cities had opposed AB 2188 on the grounds that a website was a considerable expense; this language would ease that expense for towns too small to operate a website.)

Not only must the permit application and documentation be published online, but the applicant must be able to submit them online as well, and an electronic signature must be accepted. If the application is complete, the city or county must then approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Then “only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection.” An allowance is made for separate fire inspection if the local government does not have an agreement with its fire department to do this. (If the application is incomplete, the city/county must notify the applicant what is needed to properly complete it.) 

Some homeowners wishing to install solar roofing or solar heating systems have run afoul of the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) of homeowners’ associations. However, according to the new law, local governments are not allowed to condition permitting approval on approval of an association, defined in Civil Code § 4080. Civil Code 714 still allows homeowners’ associations to put reasonable restrictions on solar energy systems provided the restrictions do not significantly increase system costs or decrease efficiency; however, the word “significantly” has been redefined. It formerly meant a 20 percent increase in cost or decrease in efficiency; it now means a 10 percent increase in cost or decrease in efficiency.

Solar Roofing Installations are One of Our Specialties!

The team here at Century Roof and Solar can introduce you to technology that helps homeowners save money and the planet by using energy from the sun. Contact us today at (888) 233-7548 and let us help you with your solar energy roofing.

[1] California Civil Code §714 and 714.1, 801, 801.5; California Government Code §65850.5, 66475.3, and 66473.1; and California Health and Safety Code §17959.1.

Before you make the leap, you need to know whether your current roof (or prospective roof) would be a naturally good fit for solar. Here are five tests to do:

1. Search for shadows

Shadows cast by trees, buildings, and overhanging vegetation can influence the solar setup. To do PV installation, for instance, you want to maximize your sun exposure. Your roof should be south-facing here in the Bay Area to extract as much solar energy as possible.

2. Learn the load bearing capacity of the roof

You obviously need to know the amount of infrastructure that the roof can safely hold. A standard solar panel set up weighs about 15 kilograms per square meter.

3. Know how much solar power you need to generate

Not all available rooftop space can be used for your panels. In some cases, you can use up to 90% of the rooftop. But aim for around 70% max to be on the safe side.

4. Pay attention to miscellaneous factors

You may have aesthetic constraints or ambitions, for instance. Some high-end products and panels can look practically indistinguishable from more “natural” types of roofing material, but these materials can add to your budget. What’s more important to you: cheap or beautiful? Prioritize before you start shopping.

5. Appreciate the tailor’s maxim: measure twice, cut once.

Spend time doing research and planning before you invest in a multi-thousand dollar roofing construction project. The better you budget, the more clearly you will understand whether the project will deliver a return on investment.

The team here at Century Roof & Solar would be happy to talk to you in detail about your solar roofing project. Connect with us today for a free estimate.