Solar And Aesthetics. Can They Go Together?
10 years ago, it was not possible to combine solar and aesthetics. You simply accepted that your roof won’t look as nice, for a reduction in your electric bill. Today, that is no longer the case. Solar panels have gone from metallic silver and blue to all black. Skirtings can be added to go around the perimeter of the array, giving it an even cleaner look. Or to take it even further to the ultimate premium roof, you could elect for the Tesla Solar Roof.
If aesthetics are a concern, the first order of business is to examine if the panels can be installed in an area of the roof that is less visible. This may have downsides if the side of the roof that is not visible faces north, meaning it receives very little direct sun. Here is an example of a home that is 100% powered by solar and from the looks of it, you would never even know it has solar panels. The front of the house faces east, and the back of the house faces west. All the panels have been installed on the back of the house which means the rising sun hours will be missed, but the home still accomplishes its goal of being 100% powered by solar and battery thanks to the afternoon sun. Example home
The next step is to see if the panels can be arranged symmetrically in a single area. If the roof has many different slopes, it will likely require using multiple roof sections to achieve the desired generation goals. Having multiple roof surfaces also will slightly add to the total cost due to the wiring required to combine all the panels from each section. Typical cost is $300 - $500 per additional roof plane over 2. Ideally, you want one large roof section without too many vents where the panels can all be installed together.
Once the panel layout has been settled, then you can decide if you want to add skirtings that will give the panels a cleaner look with the roof. The cost of the skirtings is usually less than 5% or less of the total cost of the system.
There are many ways to achieve the goal of producing all of a home’s energy needs while keeping the aesthetics of the home a priority. Talk to one of our consultants to find out more. Contact Us