www.gulfsouthsolar.com – Simplifying Solar for The South (2024)

FAQs

What is the best position for solar panels on a roof? ›

With a south-facing roof, your solar panels will produce the greatest amount of energy overall, but east or west-facing roofs can also work well and will produce energy for a large portion of the day. North-facing roofs are the most unfavourable option for solar panels, since they receive very little direct sunlight.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar panels last between 20 and 30 years. Some well-made panels may even last up to 40 years.

Keep solar batteries in a spot that's not too hot or cold to make them last longer and work better. Think about putting them in rooms like garages or utility rooms where the temperature doesn't change much. Make sure the place you choose for your solar battery has good air flow.

Typically, solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, though other roofs may be suitable too. You should also consider the age of your roof and how long until it will need replacement.

Roofing materials that are not ideal for solar include wood and slate roofs. For one, these roofing materials are brittle, so solar panel installers can't just walk around on the roof as they normally could. This makes for a more difficult and, therefore, more expensive installation process.

South-facing solar panel systems almost always generate the most electricity, but east-west roofs can work well for solar, too. The direction is more important than the angle. Angle is rarely a make-or-break factor, and most roof tilts will work fine—though there are some exceptions.

Some of the cons of solar energy are: the cost of adding solar, depends on sunlight, space constraints, solar energy storage is expensive, installation can be difficult and environmental impact of manufacturing and disposing panels.

Well, it depends, but most experts agree that cleaning solar panels an average of every six months is reasonable. However, there are times when you may need to get your solar panels cleaned earlier or wait longer. If you live in an area of dusty farmlands or the dessert, you'll need them cleaned more often.

What is a Good Solar Payback Period? The most common estimate of the average payback period for solar panels is six to ten years. This is a pretty wide range because there are many factors that will influence the number of years it can take to pay off your panels and the monthly savings you can expect.

When you have a solar battery, the batteries are also trickle-charged. This battery charging is done by a device known as a charge controller. If you are connected to the grid, the excess power is directed to the grid once the battery is fully charged.

How much does it cost to add a battery to solar system? ›

Adding a residential solar battery storage system can easily cost $10,000 to $20,000. It can be more expensive if the customer needs more than one solar panel battery and they must replace their existing inverter.

In the typical scenario above the battery takes 12 years to pay for itself and most batteries have a 10 year product warranty. So installing a solar battery is generally only worth it if homeowners place some value on blackout protection and reducing carbon emissions.

But the accumulation of dust on solar panels or mirrors is already a significant issue — it can reduce the output of photovoltaic panels by as much as 30 percent in just one month — so regular cleaning is essential for such installations.

In most cases, the best solar panel direction is facing south¹. Arrays that are appropriately oriented can improve energy output by up to 30% or more². However, factors such as roof slope and proximity to the equator may have some homeowners considering other directions (including north).

What is the best direction for solar panels? Since the sun is always in the southern half of the sky (in the northern hemisphere), solar panels that face south will receive the most direct sunlight and, therefore, is the best direction for solar panels.

Is east or west better for solar panel installation? Most homeowners can expect the same drop in output regardless of eastern or western orientation. However, if you live in a state with Time-of-Use electricity pricing, west facing solar panels can save money during peak hours.

What is the best direction for solar panels? Since the sun is always in the southern half of the sky (in the northern hemisphere), solar panels that face south will receive the most direct sunlight and, therefore, is the best direction for solar panels.

Seam Heights and Mounting Hardware

The seam of SSMR is typically 1.5” to 3” in height. The mounting hardware adds another ¾”(±), and the module frame another 1.5” (±). The cells then are at 3.75” to 5.25” from the roof's surface. This ensures adequate air flow to optimize module output.

Tilting your solar panels at an angle optimizes the amount of sunlight they can absorb. This angle can be adjusted to your geographical location and the typical sun path, enhancing the efficiency of your solar energy system. Pros: Simplicity: Easy installation process and a seamless look on your roof.