Where to place solar panels? The three options are roof mount, ground mount, and Carports. Each option comes with its own positives and negatives.

 

Roof Mounts are the most affordable in the short term. The roof is a space that is not typically utilized and has a high yield of return with mounting costing a fraction per watt than the other options. This however has its own drawbacks as there are obvious problems with roof-mounted solar. From having to reroof every 5 to 10 years. Where the solar will needs to be removed from the roof along with its racking to reseal and reroof the roof. Not only this but the two options to attaching the racking is either penetrating the roof or putting heavy ballast systems up on the roof. Both of these options catch all the debris that is brought there from wind and animals such as squirrels, birds, and rats. This has caused major issues with fires to roofing decaying faster than designed. Penetrating has the potential of leaking where the roof is typically not designed to have holes drilled through. The roof has to be sealed with what the lifetime of the sealer is going to have to be redone ever so often. 

 

Another option for solar is ground mounts. Ground mounts eliminate the problems that arise with roof-mounted solar. Where there is not an impact on an existing building from flooding through penetrating roofs. Or the issue of re-roofing does not impact the solar. Not only that but instead of the liability of mounting on roofs, there is a physical asset with next to no maintaining the system. This option can use a heavier tracking system, getting the most possible production out of the panel. This can take land that is not being used and makes it produce energy. However, this is the problem as well, the land. Where rooftop solar mounted systems uses space that is virtually not usable, ground-mounted solar systems use valuable land that can not be used for anything else. Not only that but with them being so close to the ground security fencing must be used to keep the loss of property to a minimum. 

 

 

The final option is to go in parking lots in the form of covered parking. This however is the most costly in the short term but has more benefits than just producing power. 

1. There are a direct relationship and use of the covered parking every day. The interaction with the solar doesn’t only take place once a month when the power bill comes (or doesn’t) but is used by parking under it. This relationship allows the use of the Shade that is made from the panels. This use is highly favorable to the general public where they can take benefit from the solar as well. This use allows the average person to interact with solar and to have a beneficial use to them. 

2. Marketing that a company uses renewable energy is often difficult to show when the panels are hidden away on the roof or in an adjacent field. Having the panels in front of a facility or in its parking lots not only shows that an organization uses renewable energy but provides its users with the interaction that is missed by other means of placing solar panels.

3. Vehicles are one of the largest expenses that we as a society have. We go to great lengths to protect this investment, especially from the elements. With solar covering parking, this protection is made possible. A two birds with one stone scenario. Produce power and have covered parking can often offset the added cost to this option. Extending the usable life of a vehicle has by keeping it out of direct sunlight. 

4. Carports are fixed assets. Solar is constantly changing and with this change often solar systems that are 10 to 20 years old are obsolete and have hopefully paid for themselves. This is when you may ask “what do I do with this solar system that I have and what benefits do I have to keep it going”. With solar carports, you will not only have the panels but a structure that will be used for many years after the life of the panels.

With these benefits one option may be better for a particular scenario, but the best long term option is Solar Carports.