Been thinking about finally getting solar panels installed on my roof, but I'm a bit worried about the weight. My house isn't exactly brand new—built in the late 70s—and the roof structure seems solid enough, but you know, it's not like I've ever tested it with anything heavier than snow and the occasional raccoon family. 😅
I started looking into different solar panel brands and noticed there's actually quite a bit of variation in how much they weigh. Some seem pretty lightweight, others are surprisingly hefty. I mean, I get that heavier might mean sturdier or better quality, but at what point does it become a concern for an older roof?
I asked one installer casually, and he just shrugged and said "should be fine," which didn't exactly fill me with confidence. I'd rather not have my ceiling cave in during Thanksgiving dinner or something. 😂
Has anyone else here dealt with this? Did you have to reinforce your roof structure before installing panels, or did you just go ahead and trust that it'd hold up? Any particular brands or types of panels that are known for being lighter without sacrificing efficiency too much?
I'm probably overthinking this (as usual), but figured I'd check in here first before making any big decisions.
If your roof's handled decades of snow and raccoons, it's probably sturdier than you think. Still, did the installer mention anything about checking the rafters or trusses first? Usually that's step one before deciding on reinforcement.
