Here’s what to know about roof orientation, shading, and roof types:
You can view your roof on Google Project Sunroof and get a quick evaluation of the available square area of your roof and the approximate number of hours of usable sunlight per year (just enter your address and click on Check My Roof).
South-facing roofs with little shade are best, but east- and west-facing roofs can work as long as there is little shade. Ideal roofs have large expanses of open areas but panels can be placed on smaller areas as well. Remember that this is just a rough assessment, and you should request a free site visit from a solar installer to get a more thorough determination of your home’s solar potential and payback periods for your specific roof.
Solar panels can be installed on many types of roofs, such as asphalt shingle, raised seam metal, and even slate
The City of Newton’s 24 solar projects will save the City and Newton Public Schools approximately $1 million in electricity costs annually!