If you’re considering home solar power or a new roof, combining the two big projects could make the most sense for your budget and time. A new roof with solar panels can power your home for the next 25 years or more. Combining the two projects could also increase your overall savings.
This article will help you understand the process and perks of doing a solar power installation and roof replacement together, and why doing both projects together maximizes what you’ll get from both.
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Benefits of Installing Solar Panels When Replacing Your Roof
If you get a new roof and solar at the same time, you will enjoy many great advantages:
Single point of contact
When you replace your roof and add solar panels together, streamlining the big project can save time and money. Instead of two large projects with multiple companies, you can combine the projects and have one company do the job.
Combined financing
Completing both projects through a single company means you can pay for everything through a single loan. While your roof investment will not technically pay for itself in avoided costs (as is possible with solar panels that offset electricity bills), combining financing for both projects may give you better control over your total future cash flow. Incentives can reduce the cost of installing solar panels in the U.S. today.
Combined permitting
Much like combined financing, hiring a single point of contact helps streamline the permitting process. Using this approach takes one of the most stressful aspects of these projects out of your hands and gives it to an expert.
Simplified timeline
When you approach the installation of solar panels and roof replacement as a single project, it’s easier to make plans, have more organized insight, and shorten the overall timeline.
Increased durability
Compared to most roofing materials, solar panels have a longer lifespan, often lasting more than 25 years. It's a smart move to go solar while replacing your roof because the new roof with solar panels will have extended durability, thanks to the coverage provided by the panels.
Reduced long-term costs
A fresh roofing installation combined with a new solar panel installation means there'll be a much lower chance of needing to re-roof during the solar power system's lifespan. Therefore, you can avoid the costly and time-consuming process of solar panel removal, replacing your old roof, and re-installing the system.
On average, removing solar panels, storing them safely, and then reinstalling the system onto a new roof usually costs at least $2,800 for US homeowners today, though actual price points may be higher for larger systems.
Roof compatibility
Not all roofing designs and materials are compatible with solar installation. Pairing the jobs ensures compatible rooftop materials will be used.
Improved home value
When you replace your roof and add solar panels, it typically raises your home's property value. A new roof can increase your home's resale value by more than $17,000 on average at the national level. Zillow reports solar increases home sale values by 4.1% nationally, with a median premium of an additional $9,274 for homes sold with solar panels already installed.
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What If I Need a New Roof After I Go Solar?
If you’ve put up solar panels and then need a new roof, you will need to have the panels and system components removed, have the roof work done, and then have the solar system reinstalled. A professional will have to do the removal and reinstallation. This will add significant cost and time to the roof project.
Reasons Why You Might Need a New Roof
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), over 2.8 million homes per year need a new roof. While a roof can be expected to last for 20 years or more, the following signs are indicators yours needs replacing.
- Broken or loose tiles/shingles: Your naked eyes can usually spot broken or detached shingles.
- Worn-out materials: You may notice issues like worn tiles, rusting, shingle granules, and bare shingles.
- Water damage: Inspect your roof for torn underlayment, worn-out sealants, broken tiles, and similar problems.
- Cracks and punctures: Falling objects, like tree branches, are the leading cause of cracks and punctures to tiles and underlayment.
- Stagnant water: If your roof's flashing and gutters are damaged, it may not remove water efficiently.
- Structural damage: Failure to repair damaged roofing can result in additional damage to your home’s structure that may become hazardous.
Roof Replacement Steps
Typically, the process of replacing your roof takes about 2-3 weeks, although there can be factors beyond the roofer's control that can extend that timeline, such as weather, roof characteristics, and home layout. Here’s an example of a typical shingle roof replacement.
- Contract: The roofing company will have you sign a contract for the work that will be performed.
- Home preparation: A professional roofing service will protect your home by covering your siding and landscaping with a tarp or similar material.
- Removal of old shingles: In most cases, the contractor will remove every shingle (including those in good shape) to inspect your roof's base.
- Plywood inspection: The roofers will examine the plywood that forms your roof's base to locate and repair any damage or insecure attachments.
- Shingle preparation: Roof protection is crucial. While tactics may vary from company to company, they may install things like water and ice protection, a drip edge, and roofing felt.
- Shingle application: Your new roof material goes onto your home.
- Application of flashing and ridge vent: If necessary, the technicians will apply flashing and ridge vents to direct water away from certain areas and allow air to escape without letting water in.
- Cleanup and inspection: Professional roofers will always clean up after a project is finished, including a final inspection that ensures the work was completed to the homeowner’s satisfaction.
Never delay a necessary roof replacement
If your roof is damaged, there are several reasons you shouldn't delay replacing it using the services of a vetted, insured, and licensed roofing company.
- Element exposure: Degrading roof shingles can expose your roof structures to things like moisture, heat, pests, and mold. These elements may eventually find their way into your home and cause additional damage.
- Personal safety: Leaving a roof in disrepair can lead to safety and health risks.
- Reduced home value: Nobody wants to pay high prices for damaged property, so an aging roof can decrease the overall value of your home.
Source: Wiki Commons
Rooftop Solar Panels Installation Timeline
The process of installing a roof with solar panels includes estimates, design, permitting, installation, grid connections, inspection, and more. Thus, the entire project can take 4-12 weeks. Surprisingly, the actual process of installing solar panels on the roof (excluding everything else) typically takes less than two days. Here’s a look at the steps involved in a typical solar power installation.
- Initial estimate: Start by getting a free solar quote to see how much you can save.
- Site assessment: Your installer will assess your home to check the roof direction, review any shading, and take measurements. Expect this step to take 1-2 weeks.
- Design: Based on the assessment details and your roof complexity, an installer will design your solar system specifically for your home. This includes optimizing the system size and creating professional site plans ready for building code approval.
- Permitting: The installer will get the required permits. It can take 2-8 weeks to complete this step, depending on the permitting offices’ speed.
- Installation: In most cases, installation takes less than two days, including installing the mounting hardware, placing solar panels on your roof, and wiring the system so it connects to your home.
- Inspections: Your county or city will conduct a final review before the utility grid approves the installation. Most inspections occur within 1-4 weeks.
- Utility interconnection: Within 1-6 weeks, the utility will connect you to the grid, install a bi-directional meter to track your energy production, and provide the official permission to operate documentation that means you’re approved to turn your new solar power system on and start generating electricity.
Roofing and Solar Panels Lifetime Expectancies
One of the key reasons to align your roof replacement with your solar panel installation is roofing materials and solar equipment are designed to last for multiple decades. By having both projects completed in one fell swoop, you may save money with a streamlined installation both now and 25-30 years down the road when your next dual-replacement is advised.
While most premium residential solar panels sold today are warrantied for 25 years of efficient energy production, the expected lifetime of your roof will depend on the materials installed. The most common roofing material in the US is asphalt shingling, which is generally expected to last 15-30 years, depending on the quality of the materials.
Many alternative roofing materials are designed to last much longer than asphalt shingles. Although long-lasting materials usually cost more, the benefits of a longer lasting roof may be worth it.
In the chart below, you can see the expected lifespans of the most common roofing materials in the US as outlined by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
| Roofing Material | Expected Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Asphalt (architectural) | 30 |
| Asphalt Shingles (3-tab) | 20 |
| BUR (built-up roofing) | 30 |
| Clay/Concrete | 100+ |
| Coal Tar | 30 |
| Copper | 70+ |
| EPDM Rubber | 15 to 25 |
| Fiber Cement | 25 |
| Metal | 40 to 80 |
| Simulated Slate | 10 to 35 |
| Slate | 60 to 150 |
| Wood | 25 |
Source: International Association of Home Inspectors
Are Solar Shingles Worth It?
Solar shingles are building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) that incorporate solar energy generation in roofing materials – or in other words – solar shingles are one-half solar panel, one-half roofing shingle.
Although there are pros and cons to installing solar shingles, the main appeal of the technology is the shingles look good, protect your home, and generate electricity. In most cases, the technology is worth it financially only when your roof also needs to be replaced. With that in mind, solar shingles can be a great investment in the right circumstances if available at a decent price point.
When talking to your solar advisor about solar shingles, it’s important to measure your project costs and expected payback period compared to a solar panel system to determine which will be better for your home and budget. Traditional solar panels and roofing materials are typically cheaper and easier to adopt than solar shingle systems.
Roof Solar Panels Alternative: Ground-Mounted Systems
If you’re partway through your roof’s lifespan and a rooftop solar panel installation simply doesn’t make financial or logistical sense, a ground-mounted solar installation may be a workable alternative for your property.
Ground-mounted solar systems are most common for larger projects such as community solar farms. For homeowners, ground-mounted systems are usually a bit more expensive thanks to the trenching and additional wiring may be necessary to bring the power from the panels to home.
With that said, ground-mounted systems work well for those with enough space to accommodate them, as the panels can be positioned for optimal solar production. In some cases, you may even be able to raise your ground-mounted solar panels above a driveway or parking area, creating a solar panel carport at home.
Reroofing and Solar Panels Key Takeaways
- Replacing your roof is the perfect time to install solar panels.
- By combining two projects, you can save money on upfront costs with a streamlined installation and future expenses such as the need to remove and replace solar panels.
- It’s best to work with a single company that can coordinate the two projects (installing a new roof and solar at the same time) for you to ensure everything works together seamlessly.
- Going solar can help you save on utility costs, use federal tax credits, get credit for selling surplus electricity, and cut down your carbon footprint.
- Together, a new roof and a solar energy system can significantly increase your property’s value.
Palmetto’s solar experts can review your situation and recommend the solar power system that's right for your home. To get started, estimate your potential savings with a custom solar solution today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to replace my roof before installing solar panels?
You may not need to replace your roof before installing home solar panels. Older, worn, or damaged roofs may need to be replaced in order to work with new solar panels.
Is it expensive to replace a roof with solar panels?
It is a significant cost to remove and reinstall solar panles when replacing a roof. The time and expense of panel removal and reinstallation is why it may make sense to have a new roof and new solar panels installed at the same time.
Can you replace a roof without removing solar panels?
No. If you have roof solar panels and need a roof replacement, the panels must come down to do the roof work.
Is it safe to have solar panels on your roof?
Yes, rooftop solar panels are safe and can make the roof directly below them more durable.
Andrew GiermakWriter and EditorAndrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.
