More households are using solar energy to power their homes through the use of Miami roofs solar panels. Before using these roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems, homeowners need to understand a few things for them to make intelligent decisions in using this natural and renewable source of energy.

Energy Needs. Consult a professional solar contractor to calculate your planned energy usage, not your current or actual usage. You have to consider if your energy needs will go up (growing family) or down (kids going to college).

Property Tax. Your property will not be reassessed for tax purposes if you installed solar panels. Reassessment is made only if the square footage of your house increases such as the construction of additional rooms. Generally, solar panels installation is exempt from property taxes.

Solar Panel Lifespan. A solar panel lasts around 30 years with very minimal maintenance. You only need to hose it down with water and clean leaves and other dirt on the surface, especially during summer. Solar panels lose around half percent conversion efficiency every year.

Safe on Miami Roofs. Solar panels should not cause any harm to your roof when properly installed. In fact, they could enhance insulation of your house, particularly the rooms or attic located just below the solar panels.

Batteries. Unless you are building a self-contained house in remote areas, you need not to worry about getting power at night because your local power utility will continue to supply you with electricity after the sun sets. In fact, some rebates do not start unless your power system is linked to a grid.

Installation Cost. Various roofing styles necessitate different installation costs. Putting solar panels on asphalt shingles costs less than if you put them on shakes or Spanish tiles because the latter are far more brittle and require more care and preparation in installation.

Orientation. While southwest-facing roofs are best for solar panels, the orientation of your solar panels is not that important as others may think. Positioning the panels to face south, west, southeast, east or north-northwest is also acceptable.

Solar Warranties. Two kinds of warranties are usually offered by contractors – the one on panels and inverters lasting around 20 to 25 years (panels) and 5 to 10 years (inverters) and the other on their work quality, which means that they did not mess up your roof.

Insurance Coverage. Get insurance after you install solar panels on your roof. Though you may have to pay the extra premium each month at probably not more than $10, you will be protected from fires and other hazards.

The rising number of people opting for green and cool roofs helped boost the popularity of solar power as an additional source of energy for residential and commercial buildings. Tapping the energy of the sun is possible through the use of solar panels commonly installed on roofs.

Finding a durable roofing material with integrated solar panels is not easy. Today we look at a versatile roof tile with integrated but replaceable solar panels—the EternaTile. The manufacturer aims to produce a durable roofing material with the functionality of solar panels for maximum benefits of an integrated roofing system.

The EternaTile

The EternaTile has a 50-mil proprietary cement-infused Geopolymer that is bonded to a foam for long-lasting finish. The tiles can be used on any roof with a slope of at least 3:12. The installation does not require approval from an engineer because the tiles are lightweight.

Durable and Long-Lasting

The product is one of the lightest, toughest and long-lasting roof systems in the market. It is designed to resist strong winds with speed that is greater than 250 mph. The tile does not crack, peel or chip even under extreme weather conditions. Non-edged objects categorized as “class-3” projectiles cannot damage the strong material. This quality makes the product an ideal roofing material for high-risk places or uninsurable areas.

The core consists of 3-lb to 4-lb polyurethane closed cell foam with thickness of 2.5 inches. The top layer is ultra violet (UV) resistant so it does not get hot. It also has the lowest thermal transfer for any sloped roofing system.

Low-Maintenance

Maintenance is not a problem with the EternaTile because it is mold-resistant and needs only light water pressure to clean the solar panels and restore their pristine appearance. Unlike ordinary but expensive tile, shake or slate that is easily damaged when trampled on, EternaTile is strong enough to be walked on.

Replaceable Solar Module

Most solar panels are installed on top of the roof, which is not the case for EternaTile. The solar module in EternaTile is built subordinate to the roof itself, which eliminates the need to remove the solar panels whenever a re-roofing or repair is required. An attractive feature of the product is the replaceable solar module design for easy and convenient replacement of damaged parts.

The top layer is projected to have a lifespan of more than 50 years. Confident on the product’s durability, its manufacturer sells the product with a lifetime warranty.

The outstanding qualities of EternaTile make it a smart choice for people looking for durable roofing materials with integrated solar panel module for extra energy-savings features.

The most obvious and immediate benefit of using solar energy is savings from electricity bills. While the initial investment in a solar energy system may seem expensive to some people, the long-term benefits outweigh the upfront cost.

Having a solar power system at home is like owning an electric company. You control everything from installation and maintenance to how you use the power generated. If you live in a city like Miami, known for its hot and humid summers and short warm winters, using solar energy is a wise decision. For those interested in tapping this clean and sustainable energy source, take note of the general tips we listed below for a successful installation of solar panels in Miami roofing.

Sourcing the Materials

Purchasing solar panels is the first step. You can buy from several known solar panel manufacturers. Compare prices from different producers before buying them to get the best price. Remember that prices differ from each seller. Online sites selling solar panels are a good place to start.

Installing the System

Solar panels are generally installed on rooftops where they get maximum exposure to the sun. However, they can also be installed on stand-alone facilities. Wherever you install them, their direct exposure to the sun is vital since you would want them to be fully operational the whole year. Therefore, positioning and orientation of solar panels are important.

Online resources are available that can help you determine the exact position of the sun in your area throughout the year. The information will help you position the solar panels. Some homeowners engage the services of professionals to assess the visibility to the sun at their place and to effectively harness solar energy.

Consider Roof Load

If you plan to install the panels on the roof, make sure that your roof is strong enough to bear the extra weight from the solar panels and mounts. A typical solar array adds approximately 5-6 pounds per square foot.

The roof mounts consist of grids where the solar panels are attached. They serve to secure and anchor the panels to the roof. Look for mounts that are adjustable, which allows you to alter the angle where the panels are facing. A slight tilt could result to more power being produced by your solar power system.

Electrical Components

The next step is wiring the solar modules. This aspect of solar power installation involves connecting electrical cable from the solar array on the roof to the inverter panel inside the house. It also relates to the grounding of the system through the use of a rod driven to the ground. This part of the installation may require you to engage the services of professionals because of the intricate work and inherent danger involved.

The increasing popularity of solar power is shown by the number of households and businesses installing solar energy systems on their houses and buildings. If you are one of those thinking about using this clean energy source, below are some of the pros and cons of installing solar panels on your Chicago roofing.

Advantages

1. Environmentally Friendly

Using solar energy does not contribute to air and noise pollution. It has no moving parts and does not emit noise. It also decreases our need for non-renewable sources of energy. While emissions are noted from the manufacture of a solar power system, they are negligible compared to those produced by conventional power sources.

2. Abundant Source of Power

Solar energy is everywhere on our planet. The earth’s surface is bombarded with solar radiation that is more than enough power to supply our entire world. It is available throughout the world and not only to countries located near the equator.

3. Sustainable

Sustainable means that we cannot over-consume the power source in our generation as to affect the needs of future generations. Solar energy is not only abundant but renewable and sustainable too.

4. Renewable Energy

Solar power is derived from the sun, which is expected to be around for billions of years. Solar energy is, therefore, a renewable source of power because its source will never run out. Non-renewable energy sources include coal and fossil fuels.

5. Reduces Electricity Cost

Installing solar panels can save you money from electric bills. Homeowners experience sharp reduction of their monthly power bills when using solar energy. Depending on the location of your home, your savings could reach up to hundreds of dollars per month.

Disadvantages

1. Expensive

Expense is a primary consideration of homeowners thinking about solar power. You have to buy upfront the solar panels and pay for their installation, which is not cheap. The higher your energy requirement, the more solar panels you will need.

2. Big Space Requirement

Power density refers to the amount of power that can be generated in a specific real estate of energy source. Low power density means the power source requires too much real estate to produce energy at reasonable price. Solar power has a higher power density than other renewable energy sources but has significantly less than gas and oil.

3. Expensive Energy Storage

Batteries present an ideal solution to the non-availability of the sun to power solar panels twenty-four hours a day. However, energy storage is relatively costly as well, which adds to your expense in using solar energy.

4. Intermittent

The source of solar energy is not available at all times. The sun cannot power the solar panels at night and provide limited energy during bad weather. There are places that have limited exposure to sunlight for several months in a year.