Clean energy is quickly becoming a staple in the modern world. Different entities, from homeowners to multimillion-dollar companies, are increasingly embracing this resource for many reasons, including eco-friendliness and convenience.
Today, many property owners use their roofs to generate green energy, and roofers are reaping massive returns. If you own a roofing company and want to know more about clean, green energy and why it’s taking the industry by storm, you’re in the right place.
What is Causing the Hype Behind Green Energy?
Green energy is popular today for many reasons, including:
- Affordability: Green energy is more affordable now than ever. For example, residential solar prices have dropped by 42% in the past year, and many homeowners can finally afford installation services.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Clean energy sources emit little to no greenhouse gases. Since most people are familiar with the effects of these gases, including respiratory diseases and increased heat in the atmosphere, many are switching to green energy.
- Varied sources: There are many sources of green energy, from solar and wind to flowing water and tidal currents. Residential and commercial property owners can harness energy from whichever sources are abundant in their area.
- Fewer disruptions: Power outages are common in the US for various reasons, including inclement weather. To avoid these repercussions, many people have turned to green energy sources that are less susceptible to widespread disruptions.
- It has terrific ROI: Clean energy comes with incredible returns on investment. Homeowners who install solar panels alone stand to reap a 10% average ROI.
How Green Energy is Affecting the Roofing Industry
Now, let’s explore the effects of green energy in the roofing industry.
The Introduction of Solar Roofs
Many factors have made solar roofs a popular choice today. For starters, these systems are durable and easy to maintain. Plus, they blend in better than panels and help property owners avoid issues like roof damage, often associated with solar mounting equipment.
Solar shingles became commercially available in the US in the early 2000s. Since then, they have gradually made their way onto many commercial and residential roofs. The trend is likely to pick up the pace, with experts predicting that the solar roofing products market will hit around $965 million in 2025.
Most roofing companies can reap the benefits of the rising popularity of solar roofs by adding solar shingle installation to their service list.
Spike in Solar Adoption
In 2022 alone, Americans acquired enough solar panels to power approximately 22 million homes. That tells you one thing: more people are adopting solar technologies. And those that can’t afford solar shingles opt for panels, which cost less from initial purchase to installation.
Besides affordability, more property owners are installing solar panels because they offset monthly electricity bills and increase home value.
All of that means most property owners are potential solar panel customers. So, the best move a roofer can make today is to jump on the PV (photovoltaic) installation wagon.
Rising Demand for Green Roofs
A green or vegetative roof is a system partially or wholly covered with plant materials. Professionals install these components over a waterproofing membrane. Depending on needs and preferences, property owners can install intensive, semi-intensive, or extensive green roofs.
On green roofs, you will find various plants, including gold sedum, widow’s cross, and white stone crop. Property owners pick suitable vegetative materials based on factors like cold tolerance, watering needs, and sunlight exposure. The plants on these roofing systems sequester carbon, leading to low CO2 emissions.
Experts highly recommend green roofs because they have many upsides for property owners. These systems reduce stormwater runoff rates, make roof surfaces significantly cooler, and support wildlife habitats. Most importantly, green roofing systems make solar panels more efficient.
Applications with Slate and Wooden Shingles
A slate roof has many benefits. First, since the system is dense, it’s often energy efficient. The material is also a natural stone product, making it eco-friendly and 100% fire-resistant. Remember, slate roofing materials can last a century or more.
A wood shingle roof, too, has its fair share of pros. For starters, wooden shingles are resistant to pests, water, and damage from UV rays. They come in various colors and finishes, most of which are aesthetically appealing and increase property value.
Considering the above, most “solar” homeowners avoid slate and wood shingle roofs. Why? Drilling, an indispensable part of solar panel installation, leads to cracks and damage in slate tiles. Moreover, most jurisdictions prohibit people from installing solar panels on wood shake roofs because they can cause fires.
But What’s a Roofer Without Marketing?
Players in the roofing industry can use green energy trends to thrive. However, any company that wants to build exposure and outshine competitors must invest in marketing, and Art Unlimited is the expert in this area.
Our company is dedicated to helping you avoid crippling marketing mistakes and ensuring that customers are familiar with your business’s exceptional services. We can help you leverage numerous tools, including SEO, blogging, and pay-per-click. Contact us now for more information.
