Solar Power Systems

LG Solar Panels Cost, Pros & Cons – The Ultimate Guide

LG is a well-known brand around the world, and you probably have some of their appliances and electronic gadgets at home. However, LG has also become a leading solar manufacturer, and they focus on high quality and performance. Their solar panels have some of the highest efficiency ratings in the industry, and they come with long-term warranties.

LG solar panels on a large residence
via LG Solar

Currently, LG offers a solar panel efficiency of up to 22.3%, the second highest in the industry and only surpassed by SunPower (22.8%). The brand is characterized by offering high performance at a competitive cost.

According to the price data from EnergySage, you can expect to pay around $2.75 per watt of installed capacity when using LG.

For comparison, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has reported an average price of $3.25 per watt for home solar systems in the US. In other words, LG solar panels offer above-average performance at below-average prices.

Thanks to their high efficiency, LG solar panels can convert a large portion of incoming sunlight into electricity. This makes them a great choice when your roof space is limited, and you want to generate as much electricity as possible with the area available.

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What is the Best Roofing Material for Solar Panels and Why?

The best roofing materials for residential solar panels are standing seam metal roofing and PVC membrane. Metal panels are the top choice for home solar panel installations on sloped roofs, while PVC membrane is preferred for low-slope and flat roofs.

A standing seam metal roof with integrated PV solar panels

However, asphalt shingles are, by far, the most common steep-sloped roofing system for home solar panel installations in the US, as approximately 80% of residential roofs are covered with composition shingles.

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For flat and low-slope residential roofs, EPDM rubber is one of the most prevalent roofing systems, while Tar-and-Gravel and BUR roofs are more commonly found on commercial roofs. That said, Tar-and-Gravel and BUR roofs can be a viable option for solar deployments on flat roofs, while the situation with an EPDM rubber membrane is a bit more nuanced.

Note: Although, a quality EPDM rubber roof can be a viable option for installing solar panels on a flat roof, it’s highly likely that a rubber roof will require some repairs or even a complete replacement some 10-15 years down the road, while most high-end PV solar panels are designed to continue generating electricity for 25 years. Therefore, going with an EPDM rubber roof for solar installations can be a risky bet, which is why we recommend a quality PVC membrane, instead, because it can last twice as long as EPDM rubber.

In the next section below, we explore top residential roofing materials and explain their suitability for home solar panel installations.

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Do I Have a Suitable Roof for Solar Panels?

Solar panels use racking systems with several mounting options, and they can be used on most residential roofs. However, even if you have an adequate roof, finding the optimal orientation and layout for your panels is also very important. Ideally, you will want to use the roof areas with the most sunshine, while avoiding shaded areas as much as possible – even a small shadow can greatly reduce the energy output of your solar array.

Residential rooftop solar panels on the south-facing side of the roof/house.

Installing solar panels is relatively easy if you have conventional asphalt shingles or a standing seam metal roof.

On the other hand, some roof tiles may be damaged if your roof uses a brittle material like slate or clay. However, if you work with professional solar installers, the number of broken tiles will be minimal or zero.

Asbestos is the only roofing material that may limit your ability to add solar panels as most providers will not work on these roofs. Harmful fibers are released when manipulating asbestos, especially when drilling. These fibers are not only dangerous for the installers, but also for anyone living under that roof. If this is your situation and you plan to go solar, a complete and well-planned roof replacement is strongly recommended.

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