top of page

Best Roof Type for Solar Panels in Kittitas County

 

Your roof plays a prime role in solar panel performance, influenced in part by Kittitas County’s regional weather and extreme seasonal light changes. Fortunately, even if you don’t have the best roof type for solar panels in Kittitas County, you still have options. Ensure maximum return on your solar investment with these key insights into how your roof design and location impact energy production from Ellensburg Solar.

 

What is the best roof type for maximizing solar output?

  • The ideal roof pitch for solar in Central Washington is 30-40 degrees

  • Roofs with southern exposure facilitate maximum solar panel efficiency

  • Roof shading issues can significantly reduce energy production

  • Asphalt and metal roofs offer the easiest installation

​

How Roof Pitch Affects Solar Energy Production

 

Roof angle impacts how much sunlight your solar panels can capture throughout the year. The ideal roof pitch to achieve maximum sun exposure in Central Washington is 30-40 degrees. Steeper roof angles may limit access to summer sun, while low-sloped roofs may accumulate snow, impacting energy production. Ellensburg Solar’s experienced solar installers in Kittitas County can adjust tilt when necessary, using ballast mounting systems to achieve proper angling and improved energy generation.

​

Ideal Roof Orientation for Solar Panels in the Pacific Northwest

 

The direction your roof faces affects how many hours of sunlight your panels receive. Maximizing southern exposure boosts overall efficiency through the region’s long summer and short winter days. East- and west-facing roofs can also generate power, producing 10 to 20% less than south-facing roofs, and more in the morning or the afternoon, respectively. North-facing installations are not recommended due to low direct sunlight. With help from our experienced team, you can optimize orientation, improving production by 20-30%.

 

Impact of Roof Shading on Solar Panel Performance

 

Analysis of solar panel shading issues in Kittitas County, WA, is essential. Seasonal changes in sun angle, nearby buildings, chimneys, winter snow accumulations, large trees, and even hillsides and mountains can block sunlight and limit energy production. Just a 10% solar blockage could reduce output by 30% depending on the time of day. You can trust our local solar panel installation company to perform a thorough site and sun pattern assessment, integrating microinverters or power optimizers to improve production in settings where full-sun exposure isn’t possible.

 

How Roofing Material Impacts Solar Panel Installation Complexity and Longevity

 

Metal roofs offer a 40-70-year lifespan, making them ideal for solar panel installation. Standing-seam metal roofs allow our installers to easily clamp onto seams without drilling holes, facilitating better snow sloughing. Asphalt-shingled roofs don’t last as long, but also allow for easy, watertight installation with lag bolts and flashing. Clay, concrete, composite, and engineered roofs are also solar-friendly, but typically require additional preparation. Because solar panels last 25-30 years or more, we strongly recommend replacing older roofs before scheduling installation to prevent the need for removal and replacement. Rest assured, our team knows how to install your panels safely and securely, ensuring decades of trouble-free operation.

 

Achieve Peak Performance Year-Round

 

Even if you don’t have the best roof type for solar panels in Kittitas County, you’ve got options. Ellensburg Solar can maximize power production in any installation setting – just ask us how. Contact us at 509-929-2728 to schedule a solar energy assessment in Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Grandview, Granger, Kennewick, Kittitas, Moxee, Naches, Pasco, Prosser, Richland, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, White Swan, Yakima, or Zillah today.

bottom of page