United States businesses are jumping on the solar panel bandwagon

Around the United States, businesses are jumping on the solar panel bandwagon. Technology has definitely made solar panels (also referred to as photovoltaic, or PV, systems) more productive than ever before, allowing companies to save money and save the environment at the same time.

Advantages to solar panel installation

Even with these advantages, there is adversity to overcome. For example, requirements that lead the solar panel installation and retainment of roof-mounted solar panel system arrays can alternate and adherence by contractors can be inconsistent.
If your business plans to invest in a roof-mounted solar panel system, it’s important to know the potential risks.
 
The four most common risks of roof-mounted solar panels

1. Roof overloading

2. To reduce the risk of roof collapse or degradation, check that your roof is capable of accommodating the extra weight of solar panels and associated equipment.

3. Blind spots

4. When a ground fault or short circuit provides a new way for electrical current to travel down to the earth A “blind spot” is created — to illustrate if newly exposed wires touch a metal roof. Some original fuse-based ground-fault detector interrupters cannot detect or de-energize this type of ground fault. As a result, the current continues to flow, which poses shock and fire hazards. Fortunately, newer PV systems can include technology that enables companies to perform remote monitoring so potential issues like these can be quickly identified and resolved.

5. Wind damage

6. With their added surface area, solar panels greatly increase a building’s exposure to wind damage, as the space below the panels can add extra pressure to the roof. Strong winds (speeds of 70 miles or more per hour) can also cause PV systems to shift or detach completely, which can lead to injuries or property damage.

7. Severe weather conditions such as ice, snow, and hail should also be taken into account beyond wind or storms. Snow adds extra weight to the roof beyond the weight of the panels alone, and hail and ice can damage solar panels’ protective coatings and expose the electrical wiring. This type of damage can result in panel failure and electrical hazards. Fortunately, panels are now available with extra protection to mitigate hail risks; investigate all your options before you install.

8. Fires

9. Fires can spread quickly due to rapid heat buildup in the open spaces under the panels like any source of electricity, PV systems also bring fire risks. For roof-mounted PV systems, Installing solar panels can also alter a roof’s resistance rating, so discuss what measures you can take, such as conducting proper maintenance and installing the latest detection technology (discussed in No. 2), to mitigate risk.

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years. 

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.