Roofing provides the ideal location for solar energy systems

There once was a time when people thought it strange to have anything on top of their commercial or residential roof other than shingles or shakes. Much of that thinking has changed over the last two decades with society’s greater concern over environmental issues. It’s now commonplace to see agricultural, industrial and both rural and urban buildings covered with beautiful, shiny and reflective solar panels.

Not only do these energy-generating systems create free power to reduce utility consumption and costs, they are more frequently seen as a valuable use of otherwise unused real estate space. Just think of all the square footage a roof possesses that could be used for a greater purpose. And it doesn’t matter which shape of roof your building possesses. Slanted roofs offer an ideal angle to harness the sun’s energy. Flat roofs also support stand-up solar array systems in addition to being a suitable area for creating green spaces (think carpeted area of grass) and living gardens.

Choosing to use your otherwise unused rooftop space for sustainable and climate friendly purposes is not just a question of doing what’s right for the planet; it’s now an intelligent business decision that saves energy, lowers utility costs and contributes to your business’ bottom line.

Installing solar energy systems is best during building construction

Building owners have become more energy conscious. Energy prices keep climbing. They should want to take advantage of the savings that come with solar power. The overall growth in the solar market has exploded in recent years. More than a quarter of Canada’s current solar capacity was installed in 2022, according to data from the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. The reasons for the growth in rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is due to their ease to set up, lower installation costs, greater public acceptance and the prevalence of pre-engineered steel building solutions. Globally, solar energy costs have declined 83% since 2009 (source: Canadian Renewable Energy Association).

The smartest time to decide to go with a solar integration is at the point you are building the commercial or industrial facility. Installation is easiest during construction for both setting up the panels themselves as well as creating the necessary electrical and monitoring/control systems. The engineering is specifically suited for installing solar panels at very little additional cost.

It should be no surprise that growth in steel building engineering has paralleled the rise of solar panels installation. Choosing to add solar when the building is being designed and built means no compromises, so you get the ideal structure for future expansions and less maintenance. Retrofitting older buildings or adding solar to brick or wood structures can lead to higher expenses and a possibility of physical tear down and rebuilding.

Why you need to choose steel structures for solar panels

Cold-formed steel roofs provide an ideal platform for installing solar systems. They are exceptionally strong and durable with a high strength-to-weight ratio suitable for supporting the weight of heavy glass panels and stands. The roof sits atop a solid structure built with a concrete foundation and solid steel beam framework. Installation of renewable energy systems are added without the need to drill holes to prevent concerns about water leaks and to retain the climate integrity of the facility below.

They are the only roof type (compared to wood shakes or shingles or brick) that actually exceed the service life of solar panels (approximately 25 to 30 years). Metal building construction and components require little to no maintenance and are also very sustainable in their own right, making pre-engineering a natural fit for solar power.

And did we mention that snow, rain and hail won’t hurt solar panels? It is an important issue in extreme climates and as weather patterns become more extreme.

Solar power and pre-engineering are a natural fit

North Americans have become increasingly more comfortable with solar panels and other renewable energy systems dotting the landscape of their everyday life. At the same time, pre-engineered steel building solutions have become the most prominent form of industrial and commercial construction. It should therefore be no surprise how well suited they are for each other. When businesses are looking to lower their energy usage, save on maintenance and utility costs, they should consider adding solar energy systems when they are planning the development of their next storage or processing facility.

Summit Steel Buildings is your ideal turnkey provider when you need an energy-efficient, yet durable, resilient and cost-effective structure for your business. Incorporating solar at the time of construction is the easiest and smartest business decision to support your enterprise for decades to come.

Contact our team at 877-417-8335 so we can provide you with a free quote and preliminary drawings.

About the author

Frank Melo has a construction civil engineering technology and business background with over 25 years of experience as a business owner and contractor. He was born and educated in London, Ontario and now divides his time between projects primarily in Ontario and British Columbia. He can be contacted at Summit Steel Buildings at (778) 951-4766 or by email at frank.melo@summitsteelbuildings.com or through LinkedIn.