You’ve decided to have solar panels installed. Congratulations! But, what’s the next step? Let us walk you through the process. We’ll also give you some climate information for new solar panel homeowners.
What is the installation process?
Engineering visit
First, you need to arrange an engineering site visit. The engineer will come to your house to make sure that everything is compatible with your new solar panel system. For example, they will make sure the roof is structurally sound. After that, they will check your electrical panel to ensure it can handle the amps from the solar panel. In some cases, you will need to update the electrical panel in your home, so it can optimize all the amps. This is just the engineer visit, not a general site visit. The engineer will check the basic components on the roof, but the main thing they look at is the electrical side of this process. Your installer will come out later to measure the roof for panel sizes and quantity. In addition, they will the type of roof you have along with pitch angle and areas of the roof that receive shade.
State and local paperwork
The second step involves filling out all the paperwork. Every city or town has local permits that need to be filed. Sometimes your installer will do this for you, but make sure to have everything in order before starting the actual installation. One of the most important things you will be doing is applying for state and federal solar incentives like Federal ITC, local solar programs, PACE, which is a clean energy financing initiative, along with government rebates and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates or SRECs. While that sounds like a bunch of jargon, your installer will be more than happy to assist you will all of this, so don’t worry! Permits are the other big thing to make sure to get done in a timely manner. Again, the installer will be able to help you collect all the ones you need, and in some cases, will already have them filled out for you.
Equipment selection
The third step is to choose your equipment. Your installer will provide a list of options for you to, and probably offer you suggestions. Even so, we recommend that you do some research on the topic yourself. For example, you will definitely want to understand the differences between inverters
Installation
The fourth thing to happen is the day of the installation! First, the workers will prep the roof by making sure all your tiles or shingles are secure. Then they set up the wiring that connects to your electrical panel and general power systems. Next, they install the rack. The rack is the only thing physically connected to the roof. After that, they place the panels on the racking and secure them. Finally, they attach the inverters to your panels. The entire process can take from one to three days, depending on if you need a power meter, for net metering, installed.
Inspections
The last step takes place once all the paperwork is complete and the solar panels are installed. A government official and an electric company official will come out and inspect the work. Once they do that and give it the “thumbs up”, they will connect your house to the grid and you can start using your panels. From the engineer visit to installation day, this whole process can take between one and two months.
What is the best climate for Solar Panels?
One of the most important factors to consider when looking into solar panels is CLIMATE.
Solar panels and sunlight
Proper and beneficial use of solar panels requires consistent sunlight for the panels to work. However, just because solar panels require sunlight to work, doesn’t mean that they can handle the heat that comes along with it in some areas. Solar panels have efficiency limits regarding sunlight intensity. For example, higher temperatures will impede the function of the solar panels. This results in a less efficient solar panel system.
Solar panels and heat
How does heat interfere with the process? As we discussed in our previous post, the normal process of photovoltaic energy production requires sunlight. The sunlight heats up the electrons. As they heat, the electrons begin moving. This movement creates the direct current energy collected by the panels. Direct current energy passes into the inverter and transformed into usable AC energy.
Bottom line
Too much persistent heat, however, can reduce the amount of energy produced. This happens because the electrons are already “warm” rather than “cold” when the sunlight strikes them. The result is less energy transfer. So, what is the bottom line with regard to climate? Although, industry consensus tells us that solar panels perform best in climates with at least some cooler temperatures on a consistent basis many installers provide specialized power cells with higher heat tolerance. So–bottom line? Keep your climate in mind as you select what’s best for your solar energy solution.
Conclusion
Deciding whether or not to get solar panels can be confusing. Whether you’re exploring your options or you have already made a decision to have solar panels installed, we’re happy to help answer any questions you have. Just give us a call!
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Solar panel casing and layers
Silicon solar panel cells
he polycrystalline structure is manufactured with shards or fragments of silicon crystal. Both structures function well, however, the monocrystalline is more efficient. As a result, it is also more expensive.
Solar panel PV cells
The solar panels aren’t doing the work at night. So, what happens to the left-over energy when a household has met all its electricity requirements? In this circumstance, the system sends excess electricity is back into the electric grid. There are two ways for this to happen: net metering or solar-plus-storage technology. This is what allows the house to have access to all kinds of energy during cloudy days or at night.
Leaks
Gutters
Birds
Raccoons
Rats & Mice
Wasps
The first one we will talk about is Algae. This fungus is particularly damaging to the roof itself when not taken care of as soon as it’s noticed. Algae will devour your shingles, and is also attracted to moisture. So when the spores land on moisture deposits on your roof, they will make a home for themselves there. Spreading across your roof, the ideal place for algae to spawn is somewhere damp and humid. Households in the deep south, northeast, Midwest and Pacific coast should look for the black-green hue on their roof.
The next roof fungus is something everyone will know. Moss. If properly maintained, this fuzzy green fungus can be a beautiful aesthetic piece for the outside of your home. However, like most fungus, moss is also attracted to moisture, which can be detrimental to your roof health. The more the moss spreads over your roof, the more it will add to your moisture problem on your roof. This can seep into the wood of shakes and shingles and lead to 
unsightly, it is extremely hazardous to the health of you and your family. It’s easy to notice because of its distinguished smell and the way it looks. It can be a slimy black, brown or even dark green color. Again, moisture deposits attract mold. The most common place for mold to grow is on wood and drywall, where water might seep in.
After discussing these fungi, there is an underlying factor they all have in common: Moisture, dampness, humidity. Excess amounts of moisture on your roof can lead to any one of these fungi infestations. Remember, the two most dangerous fungi are Mold and Mildew. These can cause serious respiratory problems in your family if exposed to it for too long.
One of the least exciting things that can happen to a homeowner is roof rot. It might not sound like much of an issue, because “out of sight, out of mind” right? When this problem becomes evident by water spots on your ceiling or even plaster falling off, you know its past time to check in the attic for the cause. Here at Beneficial Roofing, we are experts at not only dealing with this problem, but also preventing it.
temperature changes in the attic, moisture from the condensation caused by the temperature, and ventilation problems. You may be asking yourself, “What exactly is roof rot?” Roof rot, or dry rot as it is commonly known, is what happens when there is too much moisture in your attic. Another cause could be a water leak somewhere in your roof, allowing water to seep into your attic.
wood chisel. Injecting a consolidant into the wood will help reinforce the affected wood that you might not be able to reach with the chisel. This will help the wood fibers bond with the undamaged wood, making them strong again. To finish the repair, apply a wood patching product, a putty like material. Doing this yourself could be dangerous. Not removing all the affected wood could lead the rot to seep deeper into the rest of the wood. This will eventually causing the same problem.
The replacing process is a little different. You will need to remove all the rotted wood, including three feet of surrounding wood. Then remove the plaster, skirting paneling, linings and ceilings to make sure you got all the fungus. Next you must clean all the surfaces and steel pipes in a five-foot radius of the rotted parts. Next, you will need to apply a fungicide to all the surface area in that five-foot radius. Then you replace the wood you took out, preferably with one that has a preservative coating already on it. Lastly, you have to re-plaster and paint, typically with a zinc oxychloride product.
The best way to make sure that your roof is rot-free is to have regular inspections done. Having a professional come to check your attic will insure that if there are any signs of moisture, leaks or excess humidity, you will be able to take measures to rectify these problems. Another thing to do is to make sure that you have a proper roof ventilation system. Without a ventilation system in place, the moisture from the humidity has nowhere to go, thus sinking into the wood and causing this problem. You should also keep track on how your shingles are holding up. Make sure that there is no debris on your roof preventing water from running off the roof.
Is your ceiling leaking? Are you noticing water damage on your ceiling? Has the plaster on the ceiling started to warp and fall off? If that’s the case, then it might be time for a new roof. Investing in a new roof is probably one of the most important things a homeowner will do to ensure the longevity of their home. This whole process may seem daunting. But don’t worry. With our help, it will be the easiest thing you’ll do in your home improvement journey.
This is a great question. It might seem like a simple task, but by yourself, it could be very hard and costly. If you’re thinking of installing the roof yourself, try a few simple steps to see if you’re prepared for it. Practice going up the ladder multiple times in a row. Then go stand up on the roof and see if you can do it comfortably. If those two things work out, try lifting a few 60 lb weights over your shoulder. Imagine doing all this the ENTIRE day, or over the course of several days. Instead of trying to do all of this alone, possibly causing more work for yourself, look into having it done professionally.
fair assessment, which will help you get started on a new roof. The next thing you will want to do is contact several contractors and get bids on the job. Once you find a contractor you feel comfortable working with, have them draw up a contract and go over it together.
This question won’t have the same answer for everyone. This depends on several things that all factor into the finished product. If your roof doesn’t have any serious damage done by water, moisture, pests or old age, you should be able to expect a one-day installation job. It will also depend on the size of the roof and possibly weather conditions. Your installer should be able to give you an estimation on how long the installation will take.
before tearing the old shingles off. In this case, this will affect the total amount that you were first quoted. Most companies will plan for this, and might be able to give you a hypothetical price, in the event they’ll require more materials. It also depends on the size of your roof, and the roof of your garage if it’s unattached. A standard-sized house should cost between $10,000 and $16,000. With 
neighbors’ roof? Or how about three doors down? The color of your roof has more relevance than just aesthetic appeal. The color of your roof shingles can affect the overall efficiency of your utilities throughout the year. This article will help shed some light on the benefits of having either light or dark colored shingles.
One of the most important things to realize about roof shingles, is they are your roofs’ first line of defense against harsh UV rays. The light-colored shingles help to reflect heat rays more than they absorb. That might not sound like such a big deal, but you can save a lot of money in the long run, especially during summertime. This will result in your air conditioner using less energy, which means less money spent on utility bills. If you live in an area that is prone to lots of sunshine and heat, it might be worth it to consider getting a lighter colored roof, if you don’t have one already.
roofs ideal for sunny states. However, it would make them ideal for places that don’t get as much sun, or that have long winters. Just like light shingles help lower utility bills in the summer, dark shingles can do the exact same thing in winter. During the fall and winter months, they can help lower your monthly heating bills, by absorbing the heat from direct sunlight. Since they can absorb heat, that means that they can help melt the snow off your roof faster, right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work like that. For the dark shingles to absorb the heat, they must have direct exposure to the sun. This can be a problem in the winter months, as the days seem shorter due to lack of sunshine.
The easiest way to decide which color of shingle to have installed is to consult with a reputable roofing agency. A technician can come out and go over the options, pros and cons for your area and so forth. It is also largely based on your personal preference and any restrictions you might have from your HOA. Another thing to consider is how a dark roof might benefit your family in the spring and fall months. Depending on where you live, there might not be much snow during these times. This will mean more exposure to the sunlight, which will help to heat your home in a natural way.