[huherto]

Can you take advantage of the shade from the Solar Panels?

If you can install solar panels above the ceiling with enough space to keep the air flow, it can help you keep your house fresh and comfortable during the day. Specially in a hot and dry climate.

[ChuckMcM]

I've found that my panels keep my attic probably 3 - 5 degrees cooler than before the panels were installed. So it's definitely a benefit. I don't have air conditioning and on warm days this keeps the house from heating up.

[driverdan]

The Bay Area is not a "hot and dry climate."

[huherto]

I am not familiar with the climate on the SF Bay area and don't know how effective the shade would be. It think this would be ideal for a house in Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, May be Southern California.

[mikeyouse]

Much of the East Bay would probably be classified as hot and dry.