The heat of the weather is nothing compared to the rising electricity bills, which have surged by an average of 30-50%, reaching record highs. This has led many people to seek ways to cool down their monthly electricity expenses. Currently, the trend that stands out for saving on electricity costs is undoubtedly solar roofs, which aligns with the global trend of using clean energy. The proportion of renewable energy usage is expected to rise to an average of 85% by 2050. As a result, modern homeowners are seriously researching information about installing solar roofs. However, before discussing the details and installation steps, let's get acquainted with solar roofs first.

What Type of House is Suitable for Solar Roofs?

Solar roofs work best when they can capture sunlight efficiently. Therefore, they are ideal for homes that are occupied during the day, as they can immediately utilize the energy from sunlight, reducing electricity consumption during daytime. However, for those who primarily stay home at night and wish to install solar, there are suitable solar systems available as well. There are three types of solar roof systems:

  1. On-Grid System: This system uses both electricity from the grid and electricity generated from solar panels. It is suitable for homes that consume electricity during the day and does not require batteries. The electricity generated can be used immediately, and homeowners can sell excess electricity back to the grid (for single-phase systems: up to 5kW, and for three-phase systems: up to 10kW). Before installation, permission from the electricity authority is required.
  2. Off-Grid System: This system is not connected to the electricity grid, also known as a Stand Alone system. It does not require permission from the electricity authority as it only uses electricity generated from solar panels. This is suitable for locations where electricity cannot reach, such as remote areas or high mountains.
  3. Hybrid System: This is a combination of Off-Grid and On-Grid systems, utilizing electricity from the grid, solar panels, and batteries. If the solar panels generate more electricity than needed, the batteries will store the excess for use at night. The Hybrid system also requires permission from the electricity authority before installation, similar to the On-Grid system, but it cannot sell electricity back to the government.

Now that you understand how solar roofs work, where should homeowners start if they are interested in installing a solar roof?

First, prepare yourself by gathering information and selecting a reputable installation company that offers comprehensive warranties throughout the product's lifespan. This will alleviate any concerns for homeowners later on, as there will be assurance of support after installation in case of equipment malfunctions. Therefore, having experts in solar roofing will significantly ease homeowners' worries.

Let's start with a checklist of what homeowners need to know before installing solar roofs:

1. Consult and Get Advice from Professionals

It is essential to seek advice from solar roof consultants who are knowledgeable in both systems and installation. SCG Solar Roof Solutions has been a leader in roofing for over 80 years and has expertise in providing comprehensive solar roof installation services for at least 10 years, offering support and consultation from the beginning to a warranty of up to 25 years.

Additionally, there is the SCG Solar Expert Station, which connects customers with experts for convenience, allowing for quicker access to accurate information through online and offline channels.

At the SCG Solar Expert Station, SCG Solar Experts will provide consultations, recommend procedures and system operations, and design solar roof systems tailored to usage needs, along with pricing assessments. These services are available at pilot locations including Bangkok and surrounding areas, Chonburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai at SCG Home, SCG Home Experience, and SCG Authorized Dealers.

2. Check the Roof's Condition

First, check the roof structure to ensure it is strong enough to support a solar rooftop installation. In this service step, SCG Solar Roof Solutions will have staff conduct a Roof Health Check to ensure the roof is ready for solar installation. This step increases confidence that the roof will not have issues throughout its lifespan, as the roof's structure is the most critical factor. If the roof is not strong or is damaged, it may risk leaks later on.

3. Design the Solar Roof System

After checking the roof condition, homeowners must calculate their daily electricity usage. For optimal results, this should be based on electricity bills from the past three months to determine the average usage. At this stage, it is crucial to have experts provide guidance, just like SCG, which has specialists in solar roofing who will survey, check the roof structure, troubleshoot, and calculate electricity usage, as well as design the solar panel installation (Optimized Design) to match each home's electricity consumption behavior for effective solar roof installation that maximizes electricity production and long-term value.

4. Install the Solar Roof

The installation step is the most critical. Choose technicians who are skilled in both solar systems and roofing. SCG Solar Roof Solutions has extensive experience in roof installation and offers standard Solar Roof products, alleviating homeowners' concerns about roof leaks with Solar FIX, an innovative method for securing solar panels to the roof without drilling tiles, thus preventing leaks. Installation can be done on almost all roof types, including concrete roofs, ceramic roofs, metal sheet roofs, and concrete slabs.

Once the experts have checked the roof's health and resolved any issues before installation, they will design the solar system to align with each home's electricity usage, and then proceed with the solar roof installation.

5. Obtain Installation Permission for the Solar Roof

Now we reach the documentation stage. After the solar roof installation, if homeowners wish to join the community solar project, they must prepare various documents to submit to three agencies: the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) or the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), the district or local administrative organization, and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). This is a detailed process. SCG offers a service to handle the documentation for installation permission with the government throughout the process (Free Solar Permitting Process), reducing complexity and providing more convenience for homeowners.

6. Comprehensive After-Sales Service

The installation of a solar roof does not end with just the installation. Homeowners must choose quality products and service providers with good after-sales service standards. Installing a solar roof is a long-term investment that requires reliability throughout its lifespan. Therefore, after-sales service is just as important as other aspects. SCG provides comprehensive coverage for installation warranties and the various components used in the system, with warranties lasting up to 25 years, along with after-sales service (Excellence After Sales Service) including support and system checks from SCG's expert team.

With the checklist for installing solar roofs complete, we hope this information is sufficient for new homeowners to decide where to start, what products and services suit their needs and lifestyle. Feel free to consult with SCG Solar Experts at pilot locations nationwide or contact us through the website at https://www.scgbuildingmaterials.com/th/solution/solar-roof, as well as at SCG HOME Experience, SCG HOME Boonthavorn, and SCG Authorized Dealers across the country, or inquire for more information at the SCG Contact Center at 02-586-2222.