3 tips for solar panels on a roof with shade

At Coolblue Energy, our advisors check your roof remotely. That's how we design the best solar roof for you, so you can get the most out of solar panels. We have the following solutions for shade:

1. Choose a parallel-connected roof.
2. Spread the solar panels.
3. Use less solar panels.

We install a solar roof either series or parallel-connected. Compared to series-connected, solar panels generate power separately when they're parallel-connected. Behind every panel, there's a small micro inverter. Thanks to this, it doesn't matter if a panel is located in the shade. The rest of your solar roof will still generate maximum power. This makes parallel-connected solar panels ideal for a roof with shade.

A series-connected solar roof may suit your situation better. You'll have the option to distribute your solar panels over your roof. Let's say you get 12 solar panels. We connect these 12 panels to your central inverter. We call this a string. In case of a large installation, we connect multiple strings to your inverter. For example, you install 6 panels on one side of your roof and 6 on the other side. You'll have 2 strings in this case. If one side of your roof is in the shade in the afternoon, the panels on the other side will still generate maximum power because they'll be in direct sunlight.

Sometimes it's better to have fewer solar panels. For example, if 12 panels fit on your roof but 2 of them will be in the shade, it's better to leave those 2 out. You'll have fewer solar panels, but more power. This is more affordable too.