Have you considered installing solar panels? For most homeowners in the Intermountain West states, rooftop placement of a photovoltaic array is a cost-effective strategy for energy production.
But what happens when it rains? Won’t all those holes necessary for mounting the panels make your roof leak?
If you use the services of an experienced solar installation contractor, you won’t have to worry about this problem.
To securely attach the photovoltaic mounting racks, PV installers will need to make some holes in your roof. But you don’t need to worry about water leaking through them.
Photovoltaic mounting components are specifically designed for rooftop solar installations, and thus guard against roof leaks. Special flashing is installed around every rooftop penetration to help water flow safely away. To ensure a watertight seal, the holes are filled with high-quality silicone.
Professional solar contractors are extremely cautious, taking every possible measure to keep your roof leak-free after photovoltaic installation. Do your homework and hire an experienced, well-qualified contractor — like Intermountain Wind & Solar — and your chance of a future leak won’t be any higher than any other roof.
Over time, harsh weather takes a toll on any roof. Years of pounding rain, hail and sunshine can cause roofing products to degrade, increasing the likelihood of a leak. When you install photovoltaic panels, however, your rooftop is better protected from much of this weather-related damage.
So your solar array may, in fact, help prevent roof leaks.
In addition, rooftop solar panels can keep your home cooler in the summer. A photovoltaic array blocks heat from entering, reducing the need for air conditioning and increasing indoor comfort. As a result, your summer cooling costs will go down.
Photovoltaic panels should only be installed on roofs that are in good shape.
Think about it like this — solar modules are designed to produce electricity for decades, with little maintenance. If your roof is damaged, installing a photovoltaic system won’t prevent leaks.
And if your roof develops problems once your photovoltaic panels have been installed, workers will have to remove the solar array to complete repairs. This is an added expense no homeowner wants.
Older roofs should be inspected prior to planning a photovoltaic installation, in case repair or replacement is necessary.
A professional solar contractor will look at your roof and point out any obvious damage that could affect your photovoltaic installation. However, if you have concerns about roof leaks, you should first consult with a licensed roofer.
At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we take pride in our workmanship and use only the highest-quality photovoltaic mounting components to avoid compromising your roof’s integrity. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation to discuss installing solar panels at your Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada or Wyoming home or business.
"All of the photos on this website are of real projects that Intermountain Wind & Solar has designed and installed.
We are proud to show off and stand behind our work."