Do you have the right building to support a solar energy system?

With solar power, there are ideal conditions that ultimately lead to maximum yields of energy. However, there is by no means a categorization of regions that can or cannot support solar energy. Whether your building is a good candidate for solar depends primarily on four criteria:

Sunlight

The power output of the solar energy system depends largely on the amount of solar radiation at the site. In general, the more sunlight your solar system receives, the more electricity it will generate.

Although some areas get a lot of cloud cover, solar cells will still convert diffused light into electricity. So, solar power systems can still make financial sense, depending on other factors such as incentives and your cost of electricity.

Furthermore, most solar cells achieve a higher efficiency in cooler temperatures. So not only the sun, but also the temperature is important for high energy yields.

Roof construction

In evaluating whether your roof is ready for solar, you will need to consider the following:

• The weight of the panels and the support structure.
• The additional weight of any snow in winter.
• The strain of high winds and subsequent pressure forces.
• The condition of your roofing material.

Your roof will need to be able to support the additional weight of the solar system, in addition to  wind and snow loads. The best candidates for solar panels are roofs that also have many years of life remaining. Dismantling your solar array to replace your roofing material adds costs and takes valuable time during which your system could be producing power.

If your roof is not right for solar panels, you may still be able to consider a ground-mount solar system.

Roof pitch and roof direction

Roof pitch and roof direction are other factors that impact the solar system’s output.

These factors will vary depending on your location, but ideally south-facing roofs with a 30-degree angle are the best candidates for a solar system.

Shading from the environment

When considering a solar system, you also need to take into account shading from surrounding buildings, trees, hills, or other roof structures.

Tree growth and the future construction activities of neighboring buildings are also factors to consider. Because of the structure of solar panels, shadows can lead to reductions in system performance.

The benefits of using BP Solar for small businesses

Peace of mind is included

Your BP Solar Certified Installer will review your energy needs and recommend the best system to fit your budget. The Installer will manage the entire installation process, including assisting with any building permits and applicable rebates.

Satisfaction guaranteed

BP Solar was the first company to offer a 25-year power warranty, and, in 2010, we were the first major company to guarantee a minimum power output of 93% for the first 12 years and 85% through 25 years for our solar panels*.

Quality assured

Our superior quality comes from our long history, precision engineering, accelerated testing and quality construction. We’ve pioneered many of the advanced solar cell processes and designs that are available in the market today.

We exceed industry standards

Our internal tests exceed the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)  standard by up to 250%, and our technology has proven its reliability on wind-swept mountaintops, weather stations in the bitter cold of Antarctica, and wells in Africa’s blazing deserts – even on satellites orbiting in space. So we’re confident that our Solar systems will perform consistently on your roof.

Safety certifications

BP Solar panels are listed to the UL 1703 Standard for Safety and are certified according to the IEC qualifications for photovoltaic panels.

Put simply, we make a product that is safe for you and your business.

* For the majority of modules in our portfolio.