Five pounds per s/f and no holes - that is what you can expect from a solar array on a flat roof. Of course, you can also expect reduced electric bills from a highly reliable, low maintenance, long lived electricity generation system.
On a flat roof, solar panels are tilted about 10 degrees to the south. To resist the wind's uplift forces the wind-tunnel-tested mounting hardware is held in place with ballast blocks. The north sides of the panels are shielded with wind deflectors. This keeps roof penetrations to a minimum. With few or no penetrations, and low roof loadings, roof warranties remain intact.
And because there are no moving parts in a solar electric generation system you can expect the systems to make power for quite some time. In fact, most panel makers warrant their panels to produce power for 25 years. (What other product can you purchase with a 25 year manufacturers warranty?)
Installations are quick and non-disruptive and easily integrate into both single and three-phase electrical systems. Furthermore, enough systems have been installed that the power companies have consistent processes, are responsive and cooperative.
The Economics of Solar
Over the past three years, solar system costs have come down dramatically. Couple this with reduced electric bills and both federal and state incentives and you can expect an excellent return on investment. Newly installed systems are expecting to break even in fewer than five years.
At the federal level, the incentives include a 30% tax credit and a five year accelerated depreciation schedule. At the state level, look for tax credits, feed-in tariffs (when power companies pay extra for the power you feed into the grid), or Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs - when power companies pay for the "green value" of your electricity). In Massachusetts, the new SREC program promises to make solar investments an obvious choice.
And of course, solar generated electricity helps the planet by lowering your company's carbon footprint and helps our nation by reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources.
Solar power: Good for the planet, good for the nation, good for your wallet.
Mark Durrenberger is president and founder of New England Breeze, Hudson, MA,
www.newenglandbreeze.com