Alert: You can have solar panels with an aluminum roof

There’s a reason that going green is a hot topic right now. The entire world is in a climate crisis that demands reductions to our carbon emissions. But sometimes, it can be hard to take ownership of individual carbon emissions. Every single person can make small changes in their lives to reduce their carbon footprint. And we need to, because it’s only as individuals make these changes that they’ll signal to governments a need for systemic change. One important way to reduce your carbon emissions–and vote with your money–is to install solar panels on your roof. But people with aluminum roofs often mistakenly believe that solar panels can’t be installed in their homes.

How to install solar panels on an aluminum roof

Even with an aluminum roof, it’s possible to install solar panels. Depending on how your roof is set up, you may need to drill holes into the roof to install the solar panels. The best thing to do if you want to install solar panels on an aluminum roof is to call an expert to come out and evaluate your home.

It’s also important to make any necessary roof repairs to your home before the solar panels are installed. The best part about an aluminum roof is that the metal roofing can last significantly longer than other types of roofs. This means that not only can solar panels be installed on an aluminum roof, but in many ways, it makes the ideal type of roof for solar panel installation. Aluminum roofs might even outlast the solar panels themselves, which saves you money in the long run.

Benefits of solar panels on aluminum roofs

One of the great things about aluminum roofs is that aluminum is a reflective surface. This can help you get the most out of your solar panels.

There’s a flip side to this coin as well. Aluminum roofs are often installed because they can help keep a home cool. Solar panels may enhance that ability. This means that not only does your aluminum roof help you get the most out of your solar panels, but your solar panels also help you get the most out of your aluminum roof.

What’s the return on investment for solar panels?

It’s hard to sink money into a project without knowing what you’ll be getting back from it. Luckily, when it comes to solar panels, the proof is in the pudding.

Solar panels have an initial investment cost. However, the number one reason people install solar panels on their homes is the cost benefit over time. By reducing your family’s need to draw off the local electricity system, you reduce your costs every single year. Within a few years, you’ll have made up the money you invested in solar panels, and every year after that, you’ll be pulling in direct savings.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to determine exactly when you’ll make up the cost of the solar panels or how much you’ll save over time. Contributing factors include:

• The cost of electricity in your area
• The amount of direct sunlight your home receives
• The size and shape of your roof

Check out this chart for a good initial estimate of how much you’ll save over the course of 20 years by installing solar panels on your home. You’ll notice that in many cases, people find that they save upwards of $10,000 in a 20-year period, with some people saving close to $20,000 in that period of time.

How to get the most out of your solar panels

When you’re investing money into home improvement, you want to know that you’re getting the best results you can for that investment. In order to get the most out of your solar panels, you need to understand how to care for them.

One of the great things about solar panels is that they require minimal maintenance, and can last 25-30 years without needing to be replaced. However, to get the most out of your solar panels, you want to be sure that they’re as exposed to the direct sun as possible. This means that you should be quick to clear your solar panels of any impediments, including snow or leaves. You should also wash them with a garden hose a couple of times a year to keep the dust off of them.

Wrapping Up

There’s no reason to let an aluminum roof get in the way of living a greener, cleaner lifestyle. Solar panels not only help the environment by reducing your family’s carbon footprint, but they can also save you thousands of dollars over the course of their lifetime. With minimal maintenance requirements, there’s no downside to installing solar panels on your aluminum roof.