Yes! The State of Georgia is already ranked 7th nationally for the total amount of solar energy capacity installed. Our state has ideal weather conditions for high-efficiency solar energy systems and is home to some of the largest solar panel and battery energy storage manufacturers in the United States. Next to the Sunshine State of Florida, Georgia received more sun-hours per year than any other state in the southeast.

Unfortunately, our state is ranked 43rd in rooftop solar installations due to a range of local, state, and utility policies that have made it challenging for homeowners, nonprofits, schools, and businesses to access the big benefits of rooftop solar energy. For instance, Georgia’s largest electric utility Georgia Power has a net metering program that capped participation to just 5,000 of its 2.5 million customers.

Solar panels only produce about 10%-20% of their rated power capacity in the rain. Photovoltaic solar panels can use direct or indirect sunlight to generate power, though they are most effective in direct sunlight. Solar panels will still work even when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds. Rain actually helps to keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt. If you live in an area with a strong net metering policy, excess energy generated by your panels during sunny hours will offset energy that you use at night and other times when your system isn't operating at full capacity.

How solar panels mount to your roof is an important part of your solar energy system. Solar panels are connected to your roof through a racking system. Racking systems vary depending on the type of roof you have on your home or business. There are five basic types of rooftop solar racking systems based on the type and style of your roof:

• Mechanically attached racking for asphalt shingle roofs 
• Ballast-mounted racking for flat roofs
• Non-penetrative attachment racks for standing seam metal roofs
• Penetrative attached racking for profile metal roofs
• Integrated solar shingles 

Solar rooftop racking systems are often rated to withstand winds in excess of 120 miles per hour , and in many cases can actually protect your existing roof. No matter the type of rooftop mounting system, solar racking manufacturers typically carry product warranties that match the full 25-year warranty on a quality solar panel and are likely to outlast the warranty on an existing roof. Additionally, a qualified solar installer will also typically offer a workmanship warranty of at least 1 year to protect homeowners. 

Millions of homes in the United States have had solar energy systems installed on pitched asphalt shingle roofs using a lag-bolt and flashing system. This racking system allows your solar panels racking to be bolted to the rafters of the home’s roof. To ensure no possibility of leaks, the bolt-penetrations in your roof should be sealed and weatherized by your solar installation professional by both chemical (caulking) and mechanical (flashing) means. Your solar panels are then attached and bonded to the racking system per the manufacturer's instructions. 

Flat rooftops using a rolled thermo-plastic or rolled asphalt adhesive covering are becoming more popular with modern buildings. Solar panels installed on flat roofs often need no mechanical attachment to the roof itself. Instead, solar panels are set and secured into manufactured trays that are weighted down to the roof using ballast-blocks made of stone or concrete. This technique introduces no holes in the roof and can make future system maintenance easier for your solar technicians.

Standing seam metal roofs are ideal for solar energy system installations. Like with an asphalt shingle roof, the solar racking system is mechanically attached to the metal roof. But, unlike a shingled roof, the system will clamp onto the metal seams of the roof material and not need to penetrate or introduce holes into your roof. 

Profile metal roofs are long lasting. But, for a solar energy system to be attached to this roof type the solar racking system must screw into the metal of the roof itself in order to be mechanically attached. In some cases, the racking system does not need to penetrate the roof decking or roof structure in order to be firmly and adequately attached. 

Integrated solar shingles may be the wave of the future for rooftop and residential solar energy systems. These shingle-type solar panels not only generate electricity but also act as your roof's primary barrier to the elements. Currently, solar shingles are very expensive and have limited availability.

Solar panels can go on just about any roof- residential or commercial. Hardware manufacturers have developed numerous clamping and fastening devices to accommodate solar on just about any roof type imaginable.

Can You Put Solar Panels On A Metal Roof?
Yes. While there are several metal roof types, the most common in Georgia are standing seam and corrugated, both of which can accommodate solar panels. Standing seam roofs are particularly adaptable for solar due to a special device called an S-5 clamp. The S-5 is designed to clamp (think pinch) to the standing seam portion of the roof and therefore requires no actual penetration of the roof.

Can You Put Solar Panels on a Shake Roof?
The short answer is yes, you can put solar panels on a shake roof. However it does present some challenges. Shake roofs are more delicate than asphalt shingle or metal roofs and are sometimes made of wood, such as cedar. Installing solar on a shake roof requires a lot of attention to detail and extra labor so as to not damage the tiles underneath and around the solar array. It may be hard to find a company willing to install solar on a shake roof, and it will likely be more expensive. Homeowners with shake roofs may want to consider alternatives such as a ground mount, car canopy, or pergola application.

How Are Solar Panels Installed On a Tile Roof?
As with shake roofs, it can be done, but there are challenges. It will likely be more expensive than installing solar on a traditional asphalt shingle or metal roof. Additionally, due to the delicate nature of tile roofs, it may be hard to find an installer with the requisite skill and equipment. Homeowners with tile roofs may want to consider alternatives such as a ground mount, car canopy, or pergola application.

Yes, solar can be installed on an east-facing roof, however, is not recommended as the first option. East-facing panels will generate more electricity in the morning, because the sun rises in the east, and less in the evening. East-facing solar can be beneficial if there is a high electricity demand in the morning hours. However, south-facing and west-facing are preferred orientations for solar.

Because there is not a standard permitting process for all of Georgia, a permit to install solar must be obtained from the jurisdiction where the property is situated. Each jurisdiction will have its own requirements, so the best place to start is by calling your local permitting office to see what is required. 

At a minimum, an electrical permit will be required, but additional permits or a structural engineering certification may be required in some jurisdictions. In addition, grid-tied systems, meaning the property is still connected to the utility grid (which 99% of rooftop solar installations are), a utility interconnection agreement will be required as well. A reputable installation company will include permitting and interconnection as part of the cost of installation.

Generally, it’s always good for solar panels to be free of dust, pollen, bird droppings and the like, but cleaning solar panels on a regular basis is not necessary. Even when solar panels become dusty or covered with a layer of yellow pollen, which is common in the spring in Georgia, solar panels will continue to generate close to their maximum efficiency. The next time it rains, the panels will be cleaned off and good as new. 

Importantly, all solar energy systems come with generation monitoring so it’s easy to determine if there’s a drop in production and if a cleaning is necessary. Most solar installation companies offer an optional maintenance service where cleaning the panels is included. For do-it-yourselfers, a standard garden hose and soft cloth will do the trick. NEVER use a pressure washer as doing so could damage the panels.  

Solar panels do not cause roof damage themselves. However, a poor installation can cause damage in some instances. Highly qualified installation companies will take great care in determining whether the roof can structurally support the additional weight load of the equipment to avoid roof sagging. Roof leaks from solar installations are rare. Special mounting brackets are used to connect the racking system to the rafters that include flashing and sealant to secure the connection and avoid the potential for a roof leak. 

Customers should carefully consider an installation company’s workmanship warranty, which can vary in length and coverage, to determine how it covers damages to a roof caused by the solar installation.

Interested in learning more? There are many great resources about rooftop solar that you can explore.

Here are a few of our favorite resources about rooftop solar in Georgia:

• Solar Crowdsource is an organization that helps communities adopt rooftop solar together through its solarize campaigns.
• Interested in finding a solar installer in Georgia? One place to start your search is the database on Georgia Solar Energy Association’s website.
• CNET offers a helpful guide to solar incentives, including loan programs and rebates, available in Georgia.