May 4, 20234 min read

5 Things to Check and Repair Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels.

- Across South Africa, more and more people are starting to invest in solar power systems. They are outfitting their roofs with solar panels — and why not? Solar power technology has seen incredible advancements in recent years, many of which have helped to lower the cost of the equipment involved. Installing solar panels on your roof is also a wonderful way to generate electricity for your home and business, without increasing your impact on the environment. However, there are many things that you need to consider before you jump in and start the installation process. Understanding the different factors involved in a project like this is so important. To help you decide whether or not solar power is the right option for you, your home, or your business, we at Dulux Rosebank put together a list of the things you need to take into consideration before you install rooftop solar panels. -

1. Does your roof need repairs?

Before you even consider installing solar panels, ask yourself, how old is my roof? If you know that you will need a new roof soon, or that a part of your roof is damaged, it probably isn’t the best idea to install solar panels. If you can, take care of any roof repairs before the installation. That way, you won’t need to pay extra to dismantle the work and then put it up again (in some cases for at least 20 years). Another aspect to consider is the warranty on your roof compared to the warranty on the solar panels. If you have solar panels that will last for 20 years and a roof that will only last between 10 – 15, make sure that any product used will also have a similar warranty, if not it increases the cost of maintenance. Topps Products® systems have a 5 - 20 year warranty. Try to match both projects in terms of how long they will last in order to reduce the amount of effort, time and money you will need to invest.

2. How much weight can your roof handle?

Installing solar panels will increase the weight on the structure of your roof. If the weight of these solar panels is too much for your roof to handle, there is a potential that it will cause damage to the tiles, sheets, screws, joints or worst case scenario cause a total collapse. This is very dangerous for many reasons, not to mention costly. To avoid both situations, it is critical to have a professional evaluate your roof to determine if additional support or maintenance is required before installation.

3. Where will the water go?

When it rains, water runs down the roof, into the gutters and out and away from your home. When installing solar panels, equipment like racking and wire harnesses can prevent the water from flowing and draining properly. In some cases, solar equipment can move the water in a different direction, which can create leaks and other problems like ponding of water on certain horizontal surfaces. These problems will need repair, which means the solar panels will need to be removed. To avoid all of these issues, make sure that you inform your contractor of these concerns. They will be able to present a plan to stop water leaks or joint failures. For waterproofing products have a look at the the high end Topps Products® range stocked by Dulux Rosebank.

4. Paint roof before installation?

If you have a previously painted roof it is always advisable to paint your roof before installing solar. Dulux Roofguard is perfect for painting any roof. Multiple crews are required to paint a roof once solar panels are already installed. Firstly, your original contractor (if they are still around ) will need to remove your solar panels. Taking them down and risking damage. Putting them in storage – again risking damage. Also the wiring needs to be removed, which an electrician will have to do. After all that the painting crew can do their work. Once the painting crew is done the solar contractor will have to install your panels and wiring again and an electrician will have to sign off the work again to make sure the painters didn’t damage any wiring.

5. Do you trust your contractor or was he the cheapest option?

Installing a solar power system is both a home improvement and electrical project. This is why when you start your search for a contractor, you validate that they have the correct credentials. Choosing a contractor that you feel will be around for the long term is also an important factor to consider. While there is little maintenance that is required, if something stops working, you want your contractor available to fix it under warranty.

Cheaper solar panels rarely translates to better solar panels. While the technology has dropped significantly in price over the past decade, investing in the cheapest model or brand can leave you in the dark. Cheaper or low end solar panels are often manufactured in a way that makes them less durable. When solar panels are less durable, it decreases your investment value as well as potential future savings.

For more information or help, feel free to contact our Rosebank or Centurion branch.