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.

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.

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.

Solar roofing undoubtedly offers homeowners many benefits, from savings over time to reliable, sustainable energy. However, if you still feel hesitant about making the conversion, you are not alone. The investment, output, and installation look different for every household. Peruse these answers to the most common apprehensions to get started with your energy saving investment:

• Worries about the cost of installation. Many homeowners approach solar roofing installations with skepticism. Different solar set ups provide different arrangements, but most afford homeowners with savings and even negative energy usage (the power company pays you!) within a few months of installation.
• Confusion about the types of solar tiles and other components to choose. Your location, building structure, and energy needs will all inform which tile and solar tech solutions will work best. Ask your solar company for details about their options, and make sure the company puts your interests ahead of manufacturer relationships. Find out if the company participates in commission programs that might bias recommendations.
• Uncertainties about the company’s reputation. Thanks to the boom in the solar market, hundreds of entrepreneurs are getting into this industry. Which providers are above board and which aren’t? The answers may be challenging to determine. When you make an investment in solar technology, you expect the solution to work. Check out possible providers online, and ask for references before making the decision to invest.

Our Bay Area Solar Company Can Put Your Mind At Ease

A little research can go a long way to ensure the utility and profitability of your solar investment. Encourage open communication with your solar provider, and call our experienced, reputable Bay Area solar solution team at (888) 233-7548 today for a free consultation.

For fifteen years now, since 2000, photovoltaics have been the fastest-growing renewable-energy technology. According to the International Energy Agency, photovoltaic solar tiles are likely to provide 16 percent of the world’s energy by 2050, up from only one percent at present. In the United States alone, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Administration, solar energy production has been more than doubling annually for over a decade. What does this astonishing trend mean in employment?

It means good news. In the United States, employment in the solar-energy sector is increasing 20 times faster than in the job market overall. One in every 78 new jobs last year was in the solar-energy field, the largest single category being solar roofing installations.

As to the quality of the jobs in this field, wages and working conditions are better than average. One indication of this is that over 90 percent of those working in solar energy work exclusively in solar energy. Nationally, the median wage for a solar photovoltaic installer is $19 an hour.

Solar energy currently employs upwards of 174,000 workers in installation, manufacturing, selling, and distribution. By a strange coincidence, 174,000 is the same as the total number of full-time workers involved in coal, counting miners, power-plant workers, and people employed in transport. This is, quite literally, a tipping point, the moment when the falling number of coal workers meets the rising number of solar-energy workers. For fifty years, changes in mining technology have been reducing employment in coal. The number of miners fell by ten percent last year. Across the solar industry, employment rose by nearly 22 percent during that time, with a similar increase projected for the coming year, according to an employer survey by The Solar Foundation. The number of solar roofing installers has doubled since 2010.

In California alone, 1672 solar companies employ 47,000 workers, up 3,500 from last year. Century Roof and Solar is proud to be part of this growing, sustainable, and valuable industry.

Contact a Solar Company You Can Trust

Contact Bay Area solar company Century Roof and Solar today at (510) 780-9489 to learn more about how a sun-powered system can improve your life.

The shape of your roof is more than a style decision. Roofing impacts the space inside your home, the degree to which your home can stand up to weather, and overall energy savings. Especially if you’re planning on “going solar” now or in the near term future, you want to build or remodel with an appropriate roof design in mind. Here are some pros and cons of 3 unique roofing styles to help you make a more informed remodeling or purchasing decision.

Mansard roofing. This classic style features a pentagon with two slopes on either side of the house, which contrasts with the singular slope of gabled roofing. This type of roof is great for providing extra space above the main floor, but it may create design and engineering challenges if you opt for solar solutions.

Skillion roofing. Skillion roofs are flat roofs where one side has been raised so the structure is on an incline. This type of solution can be used to design a home’s entire roof, or you can use it to highlight one area of a home. A skillion roof works really well when integrated with solar roofing installations, if the flat, angled roof can face substantial sun during the day. All that said, opting for this roofing paradigm can create engineering issues; it may hinder certain house designs and constrain any attic designs.

Hip roofing. Characterized by four sloping sides that come together in the center, hip roofing can also be used in conjunction with an astonishing variety of designs. Instead of meeting at a singular point as 4 triangles, the hip roof has a flat area at the top for the quadrilateral sides to meet.

Interested in remodeling your roof? Contact Century Today!

For more information call the team at Century Roof and Solar (510) 780-9489 we are ready to help you choose the right roof for your home. Whatever your questions may be we have personnel standing by to help you quote your roofing projects.

Solar roofing can cut energy costs and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. If you are considering solar power installation, you may be wondering how bad weather will impact the effectiveness of your solar panels. The Bay Area experiences its fair share of foggy and gloomy days; those of us who live here often are forced to field endless questions from our friends and relatives who live elsewhere about our cloudy weather. So what happens to solar power roofing during cloudy or rainy days?

Solar companies have measured the effectiveness of their products in bad weather and have come to peculiar conclusions. While sunny Southern California might seem like the ideal place to set up solar roofing, solar panels actually work better in cooler weather. In fact, San Francisco solar power roofing generates only 1% less energy than Sacramento.

This does not mean bad weather does not have any impact on solar panel efficiency. A light fog causes 8%–15% less electricity output; whereas a heavy fog might decrease efficiency by around 15%–20%. But while cloudy or rainy days impact the amount of energy solar panels produce, you can still make use of the renewable resource of our sun and generate solar powered energy.

Bay Area Roofing Contractors

Century Roof and Solar is a leading solar solution installer and roofing contractor; we can help you cut down on energy cost, protect the planet and improve the value of your home or business property. Are you ready to make the leap to solar energy? Contact us for a solar roofing quote today: 888-233-7548.

© 2014 Century Roof & Solar

The solar revolution is upon us. More and more homeowners and business-owners are exploring the exciting, energy-saving, earth-saving benefits of solar roofing solutions. You might be excited to “go green,” too, and cut the dependency you have on the grid.

But what, exactly, do you need to know?

First, explore roofing contractors and solar companies thoroughly. Make sure that your installers have the certifications, insurance, and reputation to do the job right. (Learn more about the Century Roof & Solar team here at our website).

Next, determine what incentives you may be able to get. Your installer can alert you to possible tax benefits and rebates. You can also talk to the CA Department of Energy, which funds a great website about California solar incentives.

Next, figure out how you will pay for your system. Obviously, if you purchase the system upfront, you can generate higher savings over time. But you don’t necessarily have to invest tens of thousands of dollars upfront. You can get a loan and benefit from solar power without having to own the equipment outright. Investigate whether to get a lease or something called a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

[See Also: How to Pay for Your Solar Installation]

Contact Our East Bay Roofing Contractors Today

The team at Century Roof & Solar would be happy to explain the pros and cons of these various payment options based on your needs and preferences. Connect with us today to explore exciting and cost-effective solar solutions! Give us a call at (888) 233-7548 or fill out our online contact form here on our website to discuss your solar options.

© 2014 Century Roof & Solar

Californians can now get serious tax credits for installing solar roofing. Will you benefit? Can a solar solution improve your home’s energy efficiency, help you get off the grid (at least partially), and maximize your tax dollars?

You may qualify for a federal solar tax credit worth up to 30% of the installation and equipment costs. Previously, this credit maxed out at $2,000. But a recent revision to the rules abolished this ceiling. California also offers credits and rebates. Your local municipality may provide even more incentives.

To qualify, you first need to owe money in taxes. In other words, a credit is not “money back in your pocket” — it simply reduces tax liability. If you don’t owe taxes this year, never fear: credits “roll over,” meaning that you can apply them later. Federal credits are NOT available to renters, but you can qualify, if you’re building a new home or remodeling an old one.

The unlimited cap on the credit only applies to new systems (built between 2009 and 2016). If you install an older solar roofing system, you can still get a credit, but you’ll be capped at $2,000.

What if you opt for a solar power purchase agreement (PPA)? If so, you won’t obtain the credit directly. Instead, your provider will benefit. In exchange, however, your provider should be able to offer you incentives, like reduced installation costs or free installation.

A credit is almost always superior to a deduction. A deduction hits at your taxable income. For instance, let’s say you earned $90,000 for the taxable income. If you get a $7,000 deduction, your taxable income goes down to $83,000. However, a credit of $7,000 comes out of the money you owe to the government. For instance, let’s say you owe $50,000 in taxes. Subtract out a $7,000 credit, and you’ll only owe $43,000.

Explore Your Bay Area Solar Solutions Today

Connect with our solar company to explore solutions for your Bay Area home or business. Let us help you save money and reduce your energy costs. Give us a call today at (888) 233-7548 or fill out our contact form here on our website.