As public interest in sustainable building soars, design professionals turn their attention to photovoltaic roofing as a way to harness renewable energy. With the development of photovoltaic roofing systems, facility owners can take advantage of utility cost savings while reducing energy demands on the power grid.
The Sustainability Advantage
For environmentally conscious building owners and managers, a chance to preserve our natural resources plays a large role in choosing a PV system. Photovoltaic solar energy is 100% clean and renewable, and the installation of a 2-kW system could decrease carbon emissions by more than 85,000 pounds over the roof’s lifetime. An added benefit is reduced dependence on imported foreign oil.
Energy Savings
As your PV system generates power for your building, your monthly energy costs will drop. The amount of savings depends on the type and size of PV system you install, but as your roof produces its own electricity, you will see a noticeable reduction in your monthly utility costs.
Energy savings are especially noticeable during peak energy periods. Utility providers often prorate the cost of energy, charging more for electricity during peak periods, which correspond with hot daytime hours. Fortunately, this is also the time when a PV roofing system is working its hardest, absorbing intense solar rays and working overtime to produce power.
Incentives
State, local and federal incentives are periodically available to help offset green technology costs. Most incentives are offered for limited periods, and you can find out which incentives are currently available in your area from the Dept. of Energy’s incentive database.
Public Relations
As you take steps to protect the environment, your community will take notice. Installing an eco-friendly PV roofing system enhances your business reputation in your city. In addition to saving energy – you’ll be building respect.
Considerations and Concerns
While installing a PV roofing system is a great idea – it’s not a do-it-yourself project. Not every roof surface can support a PV system and professional installation is critical for success. Because PV modules generate an electric current, National Electrical Codes and OSHA safety codes must be implicitly followed.
The North American Roofing Advantage
At North American Roofing, our goal is to offer our clients the best and latest technological advances in the roofing industry. We’ve been installing solar roof systems for years, but with the booming interest in green construction, we launched our Energy Services Group in 2012. We offer PV engineering, construction and maintenance for solar roofing system. We also offer our popular RoofGuard protection for PV systems to ensure that your roof performs as well tomorrow as it does today.