Local Spotlight: Blue Bells Top Roofing Companies

Local Spotlight: Blue Bells Top Roofing Companies

Flat roof

Local Spotlight: Blue Bells Top Roofing Companies


When it comes to maintaining a home, one thing you cant ignore is the roof. How to Choose the Best Roofing Contractor in Blue Bell . Its one of those (essential) things that, if neglected, can lead to big problems. In Blue Bells, a charming town known for its picturesque landscapes and friendly community, the competition among roofing companies is fierce, but a few have managed to stand out for their exceptional service and craftsmanship.


First on our list is Roof Masters Inc., a family-owned business thats been serving the Blue Bells community for over two decades. They've built a reputation for not only using high-quality materials but also for their outstanding customer service. You wont find them cutting corners just to save a buck.

Local Spotlight: Blue Bells Top Roofing Companies - Flat roof

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Flat roof Their team is known for being punctual and, more importantly, tidy-a trait not all roofing companies can boast of. Theyve got a knack for making sure your yard doesn't turn into a construction site warzone! Homeowners in Blue Bells often remark about how their attention to detail is second to none.


Next up is Skyline Roofing Solutions, a relatively newer company that has quickly gained ground. While some might be skeptical of their youth in the industry, Skyline has proven time and again that theyre not to be underestimated. Their innovative approach to roofing, including the use of eco-friendly materials, has won over many environmentally conscious clients. They're not just about getting the job done; they're about doing it right (and sustainably).


Oh, and lets not forget about Top Notch Roofers. Dutch gable roof If youre looking for a company that combines traditional roofing techniques with modern technology, these folks are the ones to call.

Local Spotlight: Blue Bells Top Roofing Companies - Dutch gable roof

  • Shingle weaver
  • Shindler
  • Domestic roof construction
They offer a comprehensive range of services, from minor repairs to full-on roof replacements. Plus, they're known for their transparent pricing. Gable roof No hidden fees here-what you see is what you get, and that's something we all can appreciate.


However, its not just about the big names. Blue Bells has its fair share of small, local roofing businesses that bring their own unique flair to the table. These companies might not have the same level of recognition, but they sure don't lack in dedication or skill. Many of them offer personalized services, taking the time to understand each clients specific needs and preferences. Its this personal touch that often keeps customers coming back.


In conclusion, Blue Bells is home to a variety of roofing companies, each bringing something different to the table. Whether its the tried-and-true methods of Roof Masters Inc., the innovative solutions from Skyline Roofing Solutions, or the blend of old and new from Top Notch Roofers, theres no shortage of options for those in need of roofing services. And hey, lets not forget the smaller businesses that add to the rich tapestry of choices available. So, when it comes to roofing in Blue Bells, rest assured you're in good hands.


In the end, it's not just about fixing a roof-it's about building trust and ensuring safety. Thats what these companies strive for (and what makes them truly stand out). So, next time you look up at your roof, remember: youre not just looking at a structure; you're looking at the handiwork of dedicated professionals who take pride in their craft.

Roofer
Roofers working on a bungalow in Brompton, Quebec
Occupation
Occupation type
Vocational
Activity sectors
Construction
Description
Competencies Heights, patience, steady hand, ability to read plans, physically strong
Education required
Apprenticeship
Fields of
employment
Construction
Related jobs
Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Welder
Roofers laying a tiled roof in Denver, Colorado
A German roofer installing a reed roof, wearing the traditional vest and trousers of a craftsperson

A roofer, roof mechanic, or roofing contractor is a tradesman who specializes in roof construction. Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings, using a variety of materials, including shingles, single-ply, bitumen, and metal. Roofing work includes the hoisting, storage, application, and removal of roofing materials and equipment, including related insulation, sheet metal, vapor barrier work, and green technologies rooftop jobs such as vegetative roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and photovoltaic products, such as solar shingles and solar tiles.[1][2]

Roofing work can be physically demanding because it may involve heavy lifting, climbing, bending, and kneeling, often in extreme weather conditions.[1] Roofers are also vulnerable to falls from heights due to working at elevated heights. Various protective measures are required in many countries. In the United States these requirement are established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to address this concern.[3][4][5] Several resources from occupational health agencies are available on implementing the required and other recommended interventions.[6][7][8]

Global usage

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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2022, there were 129,300 individuals working as roofers in the construction industry. Among that population, a majority of roofers (93%; 119,800) were contractors for Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior projects.[9][10] In terms of jobs outlook, it is predicted that there will only be a 2% increase in job growth from 2022 to 2032 in the United States. Approximately 12,200 openings are expected each year in this decade. Most of the new jobs are likely to be offered to replace roofers who retire or transition out of the trade.[1]

In Australia, this type of carpenter is called a roof carpenter and the term roofer refers to someone who installs the roof cladding (tiles, tin, etc.). The number of roofers in Australia was estimated to be approximately 15,000. New South Wales is the largest province with an 29% market share in the Australian Roofers industry (4,425 companies). Second is Victoria with 3,206 Roofers (21%).[11]

In the United States and Canada, they're often referred to as roofing contractors or roofing professionals. The most common roofing material in the United States is asphalt shingles. In the past, 3-tab shingles were used, but recent trends show "architectural" or "dimensional" shingles becoming very popular.[12]

Depending on the region, other commonly applied roofing materials installed by roofers include concrete tiles, clay tiles, natural or synthetic slate, single-ply (primarily EPDM rubber, PVC, or TPO), rubber shingles (made from recycled tires), glass, metal panels or shingles, wood shakes or shingles, liquid-applied, hot asphalt/rubber, foam, thatch, and solar tiles. "Living roof" systems, or rooftop landscapes, have become increasingly common in recent years in both residential and commercial applications.[13][14]

Roles, responsibilities, and tasks

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Roofers in Lichtenberg in 1984
Credit: Bernd Settnik, German Federal Archives

Roles and responsibilities of roofing professionals include:[1]

  • Assessing the roof system and components (may include decking and structural components)
  • Determining the proper roofing system for the building
  • Installing roof system components according to manufacturer’s specifications
  • Repairing the roof system
  • Maintenance of the roof system

Beyond having common duties such as replacing, repairing, or installing roofs for buildings, roofers can also be involved in other tasks, including but is not limited to:

  • Seal exposed heads of nails or screws using roofing cement or caulk to avert possible water infiltration
  • Tailor roofing materials to accommodate architectural elements such as walls or vents
  • Align the installed materials with the roof's edges to ensure a proper fit
  • Apply various roofing materials such as shingles, asphalt, metal, etc., to render the roof impervious to weather conditions
  • Establish roof ventilation mechanisms to regulate airflow and control temperature fluctuations
  • Set up moisture barriers or insulation layers to improve the roof's thermal performance
  • Dismantle the current roof systems to make ways for repairs or new installations
  • Substitute impaired or decaying joists or plywood to maintain the roof's structural integrity
  • Assess roof dimensions to assess the necessary amount of required materials
  • Conduct evaluations on problematic roofs to determine the most effective repair approach

Hazards

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Roofing is one of the most dangerous professions among construction occupations since it involves working at heights and exposes workers to dangerous weather conditions such as extreme heat.[15] In the United States as of 2017, the rate of fatalities from falls among roofers is 36 deaths per 100,000 full-time employees, ten times greater than all construction-related professions combined.[16] In the United States, the fatal injury rate in 2021 was 59.0 per 100,000 full-time roofers, compared to the national average of 3.6 per 100,000 full-time employees.[17] According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofing has been within the top 5 highest death rates of any profession for over 10 years in a row.[18] For Hispanic roofers, data from 2001–2008 show fatal injuries from falls account for nearly 80% of deaths in this population, the highest cause of death among Hispanics of any construction trade.[19][20]

A major contributing factor to the high fatality rates among roofers in the United States is the nature of the craft which requires roofers to work on elevated, slanted roof surfaces. Findings from qualitative interviews with Michigan roofing contractors also found hand and finger injuries from handling heavy material and back injuries to be some of the more common task/injury combinations.[21]

Ladder falls contribute to the rates of injury and mortality. More than half a million people per year are treated for fall from ladder and over 3000 people die as a result.[22] In 2014 the estimated cost annual cost of ladder injuries, including time away from work, medical, legal, liability expenses was estimated to reach $24 billion.[22] Male, Hispanic, older, self-employed workers and those who work in smaller establishments, and work doing construction, maintenance, and repair experience higher ladder fall injury rates when compared with women and non-Hispanic whites and persons of other races/ethnicities.[23]

Ladders allow for roofers to access upper level work surfaces. For safe use, ladder must be inspected for damage by a competent person and must be used on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured to prevent displacement.[3]

Safety measures

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Nearly every industrialized country has established specific safety regulations for work on the roof, ranging from the use of conventional fall protection systems including personal fall arrest systems, guardrail systems, and safety nets.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work describes scenarios of risk (fall prevention, falling materials, types of roofs), precautions, training needed and European legislation focused on roof work.[6] European directives set minimum standards for health and safety and are transposed into law in all Member States.

In the United States, OSHA standards require employers to have several means of fall protection available to ensure the safety of workers. In construction, this applies to workers who are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more above lower levels.[3][24] In the United States, regulation of the roofing trade is left up to individual states. Some states leave roofing regulation up to city-level, county-level, and municipal-level jurisdictions. Unlicensed contracting of projects worth over a set threshold may result in stiff fines or even time in prison. In some states, roofers are required to meet insurance and roofing license guidelines. Roofers are also required to display their license number on their marketing material.

Canada's rules are very similar to those from the U.S., and regulatory authority depends on where the business is located and fall under the authority of their local province.

In 2009, in response to high rates of falls in constructions the Japanese Occupational Safety and Health Regulations and Guidelines amended their specific regulations. In 2013 compliance was low and the need for further research and countermeasures for preventing falls and ensuring fall protection from heights was identified.[25]

The United Kingdom has no legislation in place that requires a roofer to have a license to trade, although some do belong to recognized trade organizations.[26]

Personal fall arrest system (PFAS)

[edit]

The purpose of a PFAS is to halt a fall and prevent the worker from making bodily contact with a surface below. The PFAS consists of an anchorage, connectors, body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline or suitable combination of these.

Beyond these mandatory components of the PFAS, there are also specific fall distances associated with the functioning of the arrest system. Specifically, there is a total fall distance that the PFAS must allow for to assist the worker in avoiding contact with the ground or other surface below. The total fall distance consists of free fall distance, deceleration distance, D-ring shift, Back D-ring height, and Safety margin. In addition to the fall distance requirements for each component of the PFAS, the anchorage of the PFAS must also be able to support a minimum 5,000 pounds per worker.[4]

OSHA regulations have several requirements. The free fall distance, to the distance that the worker drops before the PFAS begins to work and slows the speed of the fall, must be 6 feet or less, nor contact any lower level. The deceleration, the length that the lanyard must stretch in order to arrest the fall must be no more than 3.5 feet.[4] The D-ring shift, the distance that the harness stretches and how far the D-ring itself moves when it encounters the full weight of the worker during a fall, is generally assumed to be 1 foot, depending on the equipment design and the manufacturer of the harness. For the back D-ring height, the distance between the D-ring and the sole of the worker's footwear, employers often use 5 feet as the standard height with the assumption that the worker will be 6 feet in height, but because the D-ring height variability can affect the safety of the system, the back D-ring height must be calculated based on the actual height of the worker. The safety margin, the additional distance that is needed to ensure sufficient clearance between the worker and the surface beneath the worker after a fall occurs, is generally considered to be a minimum of 2 feet.[3]

Fall restraint system

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A fall restraint system is a type of fall protection system where, the goal is to stop workers from reaching the unprotected sides or edges of a working area in which a fall can subsequently occur. This system is useful where a worker may lose their footing near an unprotected edge or begin sliding. In such a case, the fall restraint system will restrain further movement of the worker toward the unprotected side or edge and prevent a serious fall. Although fall restraint systems are not explicitly defined or mentioned in OSHA's fall protection standards for construction,[24][4] they are allowed by OSHA as specified in an OSHA letter of interpretation last updated in 2004.[27] OSHA does not have any specific requirements for fall restraint systems, but recommends that any fall restraint system be capable of withstanding 3,000 pounds or at least twice the maximum predicted force necessary to save the worker from falling to the lower surface.[3] There are no OSHA specifications on the distance from the edge the restraint system must allow for a falling worker, and although a likely very dangerous practice, the OSHA letter of interpretation states that as long as the restraint system prevents the employee from falling off an edge, the employee can be restrained to "within inches of the edge."[27]

Guardrail system

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Guardrail systems serve as an alternative to PFAS and fall restraint systems by having permanent or temporary guardrails around the perimeter of the roof and any roof openings. OSHA requires the height of the top of the rail to be 39-45 inches above the working surface. Mid-rails must be installed midway between the top of the top rail and the walking/working surface when there is no parapet wall at least 21 inches high. Guardrail systems must be capable of withstanding 200-pounds of force in any outward or downward direction applied within 2 inches of the top edge of the rail.[3][24]

Safety net system

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Safety net systems use a tested safety net adjacent to and below the edge of the walking/working surface to catch a worker who may fall off the roof. Safety nets must be installed as close as practicable under the surface where the work is being performed and shall extend outward from the outermost projection of the work surface as follows:[4]

 
Vertical distance from working level to horizontal plane of net Minimum required horizontal distance of outer edge of net from the edge of net from the edge of the working surface
Up to 5 feet 8 feet
More than 5 feet up to 10 feet 10 feet
More than 10 feet 13 feet

[4]

Safety nets must be drop-tested with a 400-pound bag of sand, or submit a certification record prior to its initial use.[4]

Warning line system

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Warning lines systems consist of ropes, wires, or chains which are marked every 6 feet with high-visibility material, and must be supported in such a way so that it is between 34 and 39 inches above the walking/working surface.[4] Warning lines are passive systems that allow for a perimeter to be formed around the working area so that workers are aware of dangerous edges. Warning lines are only permitted on roofs with a low slope (having a slope of less than or equal to 4 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches horizontal length (4:12)).[28] In the context of roofing fall protection, warning line systems may only be used in combination with a guardrail system, a safety net system, a personal fall arrest system, or a safety monitoring system. The warning line system must be erected around all sides of the roof work area.[4]

Safety monitoring systems

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Safety monitoring systems use safety monitors to monitor the safety of other workers on the roof. Safety monitors must be competent to recognize fall hazards. The safety monitor is tasked to ensure the safety of other workers on the roof and must be able to orally warn an employee when they are in an unsafe situation.[4]

Resources

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Multi-layered approaches to fall prevention and protection that use the hierarchy of controls can help to prevent fall injuries, incidents, and fatalities in the roofing industry.[7][8] The hierarchy of controls is a way of determining which actions will best control exposures. The hierarchy of controls has five levels of actions to reduce or remove hazards – elimination, substitution, and engineering controls are among the preferred preventive actions based on general effectiveness.

Resources are available to assist with the implementation of fall safety measures in the roofing industry such as fall prevention plans,[23][29] a ladder safety mobile application,[30] infographics and tipsheets,[31] toolbox talks,[32] videos and webinars,[1] and safety leadership training.[2] Many of these resources are available in Spanish and additional languages other than English. The recommended safety measures are described next.

[edit]

Job outlook

[edit]

In terms of job outlooks, it is predicted that there will only be an 1% increase in job growth from 2021 to 2032. The job openings (15,000) are expected to replace roofers who will retire or transition out of the trade.[9]

Solar roofs

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Solar Roof installation is one of the fastest growing trends in the roofing industry due to the nature of solar roofs being environmentally friendly and a worthwhile economic investment. Specifically, solar roofs have been found to allow homeowners to potentially save 40-70% on electric bills depending on the number of tiles installed.[33] The US federal government has also begun incentivizing homeowners to install solar roofs with potential eligibility for 30% tax credit on the cost of a solar system based on federal income taxes.[34]

Metal roofs

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Across 14 researched markets, roofing contracting companies have reported that they have received more frequent calls regarding potential metal roof installations. For instance, one company used to receive 5-6 calls in total regarding metal installations but recently, they have received 5-6 calls weekly for inquiries regarding metal roof installations.[35]

See also

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[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Roofers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  2. ^ OSHA Reg Source: OSHA [2014]. Safety and Health Regulations for Construction 1926 subpart M, fall protection, OSHA Standard 1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov) Federal Register 79 FR 20696, July 10, 2014 1926.500(b) Definitions. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.500
  3. ^ a b c d e f Occupational Safety and Health Administration. "Protecting Roofing Workers" (PDF). Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "1926.502 - Fall protection systems criteria and practices. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  5. ^ "About the Stand-Down | Stop Construction Falls". stopconstructionfalls.com. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  6. ^ a b "Safe roofwork" (PDF). European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  7. ^ a b "Planning a Multi-Layered Approach to Fall Prevention and Protection" (PDF). Center for Construction Research and Training. 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  8. ^ a b Prevent construction falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds (Report). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2019-11-01. doi:10.26616/nioshpub2019128revised112019.
  9. ^ a b "Employment by industry, occupation, and percent distribution, 2022 and projected 2032". U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  10. ^ "Occupational Employment and Wages: Roofers". U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  11. ^ "Roofing Services in Australia - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2023-2028)| IBISWorld". www.ibisworld.com. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  12. ^ "Architectural Shingles vs 3 tab Shingles". roofpedia.com. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  13. ^ See List of commercially available roofing material
  14. ^ "How Roofing Materials Work". HowStuffWorks. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  15. ^ Christie, Les (September 11, 2014). "America's most dangerous jobs". CNN Business. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  16. ^ Dong, Xiuwen Sue; Jackson, Rebecca; Varda, Danielle; Betit, Eileen; Bunting, Jessica (2019). "Trends of Fall Injuries and Prevention in the Construction Industry" (PDF). The Center for Construction Research and Training. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "Fatal occupational injuries, total hours worked, and rates1 of fatal occupational injuries by selected worker characteristics, occupations, and industries, civilian workers, 2021". U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  18. ^ "2011-2021 Archived Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries News Releases". U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  19. ^ Dong, Xiuwen Sue; Wang, Xuanwen; Daw, Christina (December 2010). "Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries among Hispanic Construction Workers, 1992-2008" (PDF). The Center for Construction Research and Training. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  20. ^ "Archived news releases : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  21. ^ Fredericks, Tycho K.; Abudayyeh, Osama; Choi, Sang D.; Wiersma, Mike; Charles, Marcia (November 2005). "Occupational Injuries and Fatalities in the Roofing Contracting Industry". Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. 131 (11): 1233–1240. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2005)131:11(1233). ISSN 0733-9364.
  22. ^ a b CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Commission (2014-10-19). "Estimates from the CPSC injury cost model". National Injury Information Clearinghouse. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  23. ^ a b Socias, Christina M.; Chaumont Menéndez, Cammie K.; Collins, James W.; Simeonov, Peter; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2014-04-25). "Occupational ladder fall injuries - United States, 2011". MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 63 (16): 341–346. ISSN 1545-861X. PMC 4584774. PMID 24759655.
  24. ^ a b c "1926.501 - Duty to have fall protection". www.osha.gov. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  25. ^ OHDO, Katsutoshi; HINO, Yasumichi; TAKAHASHI, Hiroki (2014). "Research on Fall Prevention and Protection from Heights in Japan". Industrial Health. 52 (5): 399–406. doi:10.2486/indhealth.2014-0137. ISSN 0019-8366. PMC 4246528. PMID 25098387.
  26. ^ "7.2.18 Roof coverings". NHBC Standards 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  27. ^ a b "If a fall restraint system could be considered a form of fall protection to be used instead of guardrails, safety lines, or fall arrest systems. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  28. ^ "1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  29. ^ Prevent construction falls from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds (Report). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2019-11-01. doi:10.26616/nioshpub2019128revised112019.
  30. ^ "Falls in the Workplace: Ladder Safety Mobile App | NIOSH | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  31. ^ "Infographics & Tip Sheets | Stop Construction Falls". stopconstructionfalls.com. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  32. ^ "CPWR Toolbox Talks". CPWR. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  33. ^ Zito, Barbara (2023-05-15). "The Only Solar Shingles Buying Guide You Need". Forbes Home. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  34. ^ "Homeowner's Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics". Energy.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  35. ^ "New Trends in Roofing for 2023 | Roofing Contractor". www.roofingcontractor.com. Retrieved 2023-06-26.

 

Rooftop PV systems around the world: Bensheim, Germany (top-left), Berlin, Germany (top-right), Kuppam, India (bottom-left), Greencap Energy solar array on Eton College, United Kingdom (bottom-right)

A rooftop solar power system, or rooftop PV system, is a photovoltaic (PV) system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building or structure.[1] The various components of such a system include photovoltaic modules, mounting systems, cables, solar inverters battery storage systems, charge controllers, monitoring systems, racking and mounting systems, energy management systems, net metering systems, disconnect switches, grounding equipment, protective devices, combiner boxes, weatherproof enclosures and other electrical accessories.[2]

Rooftop mounted systems are small compared to utility-scale solar ground-mounted photovoltaic power stations with capacities in the megawatt range, hence being a form of distributed generation. A comprehensive life cycle analysis study[3] showed that rooftop solar is better for the environment than utility-scale solar.[4] Most rooftop PV stations are Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems. Rooftop PV systems on residential buildings typically feature a capacity of about 5–20 kilowatts (kW), while those mounted on commercial buildings often reach 100 kilowatts to 1 megawatt (MW). Very large roofs can house industrial scale PV systems in the range of 1–10 MW.

As of 2022, around 25 million households rely on rooftop solar power worldwide.[5] Australia has by far the most rooftop solar capacity per capita.[6]

Installation

[edit]
Workers install residential rooftop solar panels
Rooftop PV systems at Googleplex, California

The urban environment provides a large amount of empty rooftop spaces and can inherently avoid the potential land use and environmental concerns. Estimating rooftop solar insolation is a multi-faceted process, as insolation values in rooftops are impacted by the following:

  • Time of the year
  • Latitude
  • Weather conditions
  • Roof slope
  • Roof aspect
  • Shading from adjacent buildings and vegetation[7]

There are various methods for calculating potential solar PV roof systems including the use of lidar[8] and orthophotos.[9] Sophisticated models can even determine shading losses over large areas for PV deployment at the municipal level.[10]

Components of a rooftop solar array

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The following section contains the most commonly utilized components of a rooftop solar array. Though designs may vary with roof type (e.g. metal vs shingle), roof angle, and shading concerns, most arrays consist of some variation of the following components

  1. Solar panels produce carbon free electricity when irradiated with sunlight. Often made of silicon, solar panels are made of smaller solar cells which typically have six cells per panel. Multiple solar panels strung together make up a solar array. Solar panels are generally protected by tempered glass and secured with an aluminum frame.[11] The front of a solar panel is very durable whereas the back of a panel is generally more vulnerable.
  2. Mounting clamps generally consist of aluminum brackets and stainless steel bolts that secure solar panels to one another on the roof and onto the rails. Clamps often vary in design in order to account for various roof and rail configurations.[12]
  3. Racking or rails are made of metal and often lie in a parallel configuration on the roof for the panels to lie on. It is important that the rails are level enough for the panels to be evenly mounted.[13]
  4. Mounts attach the rails and the entire array to the surface of the roof. These mounts are often L brackets that are bolted through flashing and into the rafters of the roof. Mounts vary in design due to the wide range of roof configurations and materials.[12]
  5. Flashings are a durable metal plate that provide a water resistant seal between the mounts and roof surface. Oftentimes, caulk is used to seal the flashing to the roof and it resembles a metal roof shingle.
  6. DC/AC wiring for inverters connect wires between panels and into a micro inverter or string inverter.[13] No cables should touch the roof surface or hang from the array to avoid weathering and the deterioration of cables.
  7. Micro inverters are mounted to the bottom of the panel and convert DC power from the panels into AC power that can be sent into the grid. Micro inverters allow for the optimization of each panel when shading occurs and can provide specific data from individual panels.[13]

Finances

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PV system prices (2022)

[edit]

[needs update][citation needed]

Residential
Country Cost ($/W)
Australia 1.0
China 0.8
France 1.1
Germany 1.2
India 1.0
Italy 1.3
Japan 1.2
Pakistan 0.6
United Kingdom 1.2
United States 1.1
Commercial
Country Cost ($/W)
Australia 0.85
China 0.64
France 0.9
Germany 0.9
India 0.75
Italy 0.9
Japan 0.95
United Kingdom 1.0
United States 1.0
 

Incentives

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United States

[edit]

Solar incentives by state in the USA can help offset the initial cost of installation and make solar power more affordable. In the United States, each state has its own set of incentives and rebates for solar energy, including tax returns, tax credits and net metering for grid connected solar power systems.[14]

[edit]

In the mid-2000s, solar companies used various financing plans for customers such as leases and power purchase agreements. Customers could pay for their solar panels over a span of years, and get help with payments from credits from net metering programs. As of May 2017, installation of a rooftop solar system costs an average of $20,000. In the past, it had been more expensive.[15]

Utility Dive wrote, "For most people, adding a solar system on top of other bills and priorities is a luxury" and "rooftop solar companies by and large cater to the wealthier portions of the American population."[15] Most households that get solar arrays are "upper middle-income". The average household salary for solar customers is around $100,000.[15] However, "a surprising number of low-income" customers appeared in a study of income and solar system purchases. "Based on the findings of the study, GTM researchers estimate that the four solar markets include more than 100,000 installations at low-income properties."[15]

A report released in June 2018 by the Consumer Energy Alliance that analyzed U.S. solar incentives, showed that a combination of federal, state and local incentives, along with the declining net cost of installing PV systems, has caused a greater usage of rooftop solar across the nation. According to Daily Energy Insider, "In 2016, residential solar PV capacity grew 20 percent over the prior year, the report said. The average installed cost of residential solar, meanwhile, dropped 21 percent to $2.84 per watt-dc in the first quarter of 2017 versus first quarter 2015."[16] In fact, in eight states the group studied, the total government incentives for installing a rooftop solar PV system actually exceeded the cost of doing so.[16]

In 2019, the national average cost in the United States, after tax credits, for a 6 kW residential system was $2.99/W, with a typical range of $2.58 to $3.38.[17]

Due to economies of scale, industrial-sized ground-mounted solar systems produce power at half the cost (2 c/kWh) of small roof-mounted systems (4 c/kWh).[18]

Feed-in tariff mechanism

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In a grid connected rooftop photovoltaic power station, the generated electricity can sometimes be sold to the servicing electric utility for use elsewhere in the grid. This arrangement provides payback for the investment of the installer. Many consumers from across the world are switching to this mechanism owing to the revenue yielded. A public utility commission usually sets the rate that the utility pays for this electricity, which could be at the retail rate or the lower wholesale rate, greatly affecting solar power payback and installation demand.

The FIT as it is commonly known has led to an expansion in the solar PV industry worldwide. Thousands of jobs have been created through this form of subsidy. However, it can produce a bubble effect which can burst when the FIT is removed. It has also increased the ability for localized production and embedded generation reducing transmission losses through power lines.[2]

Solar shingles

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Solar shingle

Solar shingles or photovoltaic shingles, are solar panels designed to look like and function as conventional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingle or slate, while also producing electricity. Solar shingles are a type of solar energy solution known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).[19]

Hybrid systems

[edit]
Rooftop PV hybrid system.

A rooftop photovoltaic power station (either on-grid or off-grid) can be used in conjunction with other power components like diesel generators, wind turbines, batteries etc. These solar hybrid power systems may be capable of providing a continuous source of power.[2]

Advantages

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Installers have the right to feed solar electricity into the public grid and hence receive a reasonable premium tariff per generated kWh reflecting the benefits of solar electricity to compensate for the current extra costs of PV electricity.[2]

For consumers, a solar PV system can help them reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by using the sun’s free energy to produce electricity that they can use in their home. Solar PV can therefore help homeowners lower their carbon footprints as well as saving money with their utility bills.[20]

Disadvantages

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An electrical power system containing a 10% contribution from PV stations would require a 2.5% increase in load-frequency control (LFC) capacity over a conventional system[jargon]—an issue which may be countered by using synchronverters in the DC/AC-circuit of the PV system. The break-even cost for PV power generation was in 1996 found to be relatively high for contribution levels of less than 10%. While higher proportions of PV power generation give lower break-even costs, economic and LFC considerations impose an upper limit of about 10% on PV contributions to the overall power systems.[21]

Taking solar panels down to replace shingle roof

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Rooftop solar on asphalt shingles

When replacing the asphalt shingle roof the solar panels will need to be uninstalled and taken down to re-shingle the roof and reinstalled after the re-shingling of the roof. Power outages could happen at the house during that time. Solar panel installers would have to come out twice to do the uninstall and re-install at a later date when the roof is finished, and their labor is typically more expensive than asphalt shingle roofers pay rate.[22]

Technical challenges

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There are many technical challenges to integrating large amounts of rooftop PV systems to the power grid.

Reverse power flow

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The electric power grid was not designed for two way power flow at the distribution level. Distribution feeders are usually designed as a radial system for one way power flow transmitted over long distances from large centralized generators to customer loads at the end of the distribution feeder. With localized and distributed solar PV generation on rooftops, reverse flow causes power to flow to the substation and transformer, causing significant challenges. This has adverse effects on protection coordination and voltage regulators.

Ramp rates

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Rapid fluctuations of generation from PV systems due to intermittent clouds cause undesirable levels of voltage variability in the distribution feeder. At high penetration of rooftop PV, this voltage variability reduces the stability of the grid due to transient imbalance in load and generation and causes voltage and frequency to exceed set limits if not countered by power controls. That is, the centralized generators cannot ramp fast enough to match the variability of the PV systems causing frequency mismatch in the nearby system. This could lead to blackouts. This is an example of how a simple localized rooftop PV system can affect the larger power grid. The issue is partially mitigated by distributing solar panels over a wide area, and by adding storage.

Operation and maintenance

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Rooftop PV solar operation and maintenance is of higher costs in comparison with ground-based facilities due to the distributed nature of rooftop facilities and harder access. In rooftop solar systems it typically takes a longer time to identify a malfunction and send a technician, due to lower availability of sufficient photovoltaic system performance monitoring tools and higher costs of human labor. As a result, rooftop solar PV systems typically suffer from lower quality of operation & maintenance and essentially lower levels of system availability and energy output.

Thin film solar on metal roofs

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With the increasing efficiencies of thin film solar, installing them on metal roofs has become cost competitive with traditional monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells. The thin film panels are flexible and run down the standing seam metal roofs and stick to the metal roof with adhesive, so no holes are needed to install. The connection wires run under the ridge cap at the top of the roof. Efficiency ranges from 10–18% but only costs about $2.00–$3.00 per watt of installed capacity, compared to monocrystalline which is 17–22% efficient and costs $3.00–$3.50 per watt of installed capacity. Thin film solar is light weight at 7–10 ounces per square foot. Thin film solar panels last 10–20 years[23] but have a quicker ROI than traditional solar panels, the metal roofs last 40–70 years before replacement compared to 12–20 years for an asphalt shingle roof.[24][25]

Cost of Different Solar Roof Types
Type[26] Cost per watt Efficiency Average 6 kW system cost
Polycrystalline $2.80–$3.00 13–17% $17,400
Monocrystalline $3.00–$3.50 17–22% $19,000
Thin film panels $2.00–$3.00 10–18% $17,000

Largest rooftop solar installations

[edit]
Rooftop photovoltaic power stations (10 MW and larger)
PV power station Location Country Nominal Power[27]

(MWp)

Notes
Jining Huaxi Shandong China 120 Spanned across 43 rooftops with total capacity of 110 GWh/year[28]
LaiYih Group Vinh Long Vietnam 38 Rooftop of footwear manufacturing facility[29][30]
Prologis Redlands Distribution Center Redlands, California United States 28 A series of installations on several rooftops at Prologis Redlands Distribution Center from November 2010 to August 2013 ranging from 1.75 MW to 6.77 MW[31]
Mai Dubai Bottling Plant Dubai United Arab Emirates 18 52,000 solar modules, completed Summer of 2019[32]
AG Heylen Energy Venlo Netherlands 18 This project at Venlo consists of over 48,000 solar modules, and over 100 inverters. 126,000 square meter of roofs is used.[33] Installation completed in August 2020.[34]
Apple Park Cupertino, California United States 17 Approx 10 MW on main building and 7 MW on two parking structures[35]
Arvind Limited Santej India 16 This is the largest solar rooftop plant in India at single industrial premises. This project at Santej consists of over 46,000 solar modules, and over 180 inverters. More than 20,000 man-days were spent in installing this landmark and over 40,000 square meter of old roofs were replaced to make way for this plant.[36]
Warehouse by Permacity / LADWP Los Angeles, California United States 16 [37]
General Motors Zaragoza Spain 12 Installed at General Motors Spanish Zaragoza Manufacturing Plant in fall 2008[38][39]
Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Beas   India 12 Solar power plant spread over 42-acre rooftop[40]
Riverside Renewable Energy – Holt Logistics Gloucester Marine Terminal Gloucester City, New Jersey United States 10 Three refrigerated warehouse buildings. Completed April 2012 with 9 MW,[41][42] expanded in 2019.[43]
Southern California Edison-Whirlpool Corporation Regional Distribution Center Perris, California United States 10 Installed on rooftop of Whirlpool Corporation Regional Distribution Center Sept. 19, 2011[44]

See also

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Armstrong, Robert (12 November 2014). "The Case for Solar Energy Parking Lots". Absolute Steel. Archived from the original on 2014-11-27. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "Solar Photovoltaic System Design Basics". energy.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  3. ^ Roy, Riya; Pearce, Joshua M. (2024-03-01). "Is small or big solar better for the environment? Comparative life cycle assessment of solar photovoltaic rooftop vs. ground-mounted systems". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 29 (3): 516–536. doi:10.1007/s11367-023-02254-x. ISSN 1614-7502.
  4. ^ "Small-scale solar best for environment but agrivoltaics may be the answer". pv magazine USA. 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  5. ^ "Approximately 100 million households rely on rooftop solar PV by 2030". International Energy Agency. 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Chandak, Pooja (2022-03-21). "Global Rooftop Solar Installations To Almost Double By 2025, Says Report". SolarQuarter. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  7. ^ "Insolation". energyeducation.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  8. ^ Ha T. Nguyen, Joshua M. Pearce, Rob Harrap, and Gerald Barber, "The Application of LiDAR to Assessment of Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Deployment Potential on a Municipal District Unit", Sensors, 12, pp. 4534-4558 (2012).
  9. ^ L.K. Wiginton, H. T. Nguyen, J.M. Pearce, "Quantifying Solar Photovoltaic Potential on a Large Scale for Renewable Energy Regional Policy", Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 34, (2010) pp. 345-357. [1]Open access
  10. ^ Nguyen, Ha T.; Pearce, Joshua M. (2012). "Incorporating shading losses in solar photovoltaic potential assessment at the municipal scale". Solar Energy. 86 (5): 1245–1260. Bibcode:2012SoEn...86.1245N. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2012.01.017. S2CID 15435496.
  11. ^ "Module Structure | PVEducation". www.pveducation.org. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  12. ^ a b "Solar Panel Racking for Roof and Ground Mount Solar". unboundsolar.com. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  13. ^ a b c "Anatomy Of A Rooftop Solar Mounting System". Solar Power World. 2014-03-19. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  14. ^ "Compact guide to solar incentives by state in the USA". 2023-02-07.
  15. ^ a b c d Shallenberger, Krysti (2017-04-27). "Is rooftop solar just a toy for the wealthy?". Utility Dive. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
  16. ^ a b Galford, Chris (2018-06-14). "Government incentives for rooftop solar often greater than system's total cost, CEA report finds". Daily Energy Insider. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  17. ^ "How much do solar panels cost in the U.S. in 2018?". energysage. Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  18. ^ Fox-Penner, Boston University, Peter (19 May 2020). Power after carbon : building a clean, resilient grid. Harvard University Press. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9780674241077.
  19. ^ "Should You Buy Solar Shingles? (2023 Guide)".
  20. ^ "Solar panels". Energy Saving Trust. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  21. ^ Asano, H.; Yajima, K.; Kaya, Y. (Mar 1996). "Influence of photovoltaic power generation on required capacity for load frequency control". IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion. 11 (1): 188–193. Bibcode:1996ITEnC..11..188A. doi:10.1109/60.486595. ISSN 0885-8969.
  22. ^ "Understanding Roofing Project Timelines: What to Expect from Start to Finish". Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Thin-Film Solar Panels | American Solar Energy Society".
  24. ^ "Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs for Your Home".
  25. ^ "Solar Panels vs. Thin-Film Laminates: Costs, Pros & Cons, Top Brands". 19 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Solar Panels vs. Thin-Film Laminates: Costs, Pros & Cons, Top Brands". 19 January 2022.
  27. ^ Note that nominal power may be AC or DC, depending on the plant. See AC-DC conundrum: Latest PV power-plant ratings follies put focus on reporting inconsistency (update) Archived 2011-01-19 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ "Sungrow Supplies Inverters to 120 MW C&I Rooftop PV Plant". www.saurenergy.com. 22 July 2021.
  29. ^ "Taiwanese footwear producer ties up Vietnamese company for renewable energy solutions". Viet Nam News. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  30. ^ "LAIYIH GROUP". indefol. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  31. ^ "SEIA Solar Means Business: 2016 Edition Full Data". seia.org. Solar Energy Industries Association. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Mai Dubai solar installations produce more than 30 million kWh of power in 2020". Utilities Middle East. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  33. ^ "Most Powerful Solarroof". Heylen Energy. Archived from the original on 2020-10-21. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Installation Completed of the World's Most Powerful Solar Roof Currently Operating at PVH Europe's State-of-the-Art Warehouse and Logistics Center". 6 October 2020.
  35. ^ "New Apple Headquarters Sets Records in Solar and Green Building". www.renewableenergyworld.com. 2017-03-03. Archived from the original on 2017-06-25. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  36. ^ "Arvind unveils India's largest rooftop solar project at 16.2 MW". Construction Week India. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  37. ^ 50-acre solar rooftop installation up and running in San Pedro, Curbed, Los Angeles, June 26, 2017
  38. ^ Uni-Solar Corporate Overview Brochure
  39. ^ GM installs world's biggest rooftop solar panels
  40. ^ ‘World’s largest’ single rooftop solar plant opened at Beas dera, Hindustan Times, May 18, 2016
  41. ^ Largest Rooftop Solar Power Plant in North America Formally Completed
  42. ^ Riverside Renewable Energy LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421032647/http://greenprofiler.com/epp/riverside-renewable-energy-llc/http://greenprofiler.com/epp/riverside-renewable-energy-llc |archive-date=2012-04-21 |url-status=dead
  43. ^ "Holt Logistics Adds Additional Capacity to Groundbreaking 2011 Solar Installation at NJ's Gloucester Marine Terminal". Independence Solar. 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  44. ^ City of Perris solar panels |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412030109/https://www.cityofperris.org/news/2011_stories/09-19-11_solarpanels.html/https://www.cityofperris.org/news/2011_stories/09-19-11_solarpanels.html |archive-date=2019-04-12 |url-status=dead