New roof and solar panel installation: a perfect match
Last edited
Author
Andrew Blok
Electrification and Solar Writer and Editor
Editor
Andrew Giermak
Solar and Electrification Writer and Editor
If you need a new roof and are considering home solar, pairing the two projects is often the smartest move you can make. Installing home solar panels can provide the best long-term value over the lifetime of your system.
Let’s explore how combining these upgrades saves time and money while maximizing your investment.
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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 could enjoy the following benefits.
Single point of contact
In cases where the same company can manage both projects, you can have one company do the job.
Combined financing
If you’re financing your projects with a loan, you may be able to do so with a single loan and avoid multiple sets of loan fees, which can reduce your overall costs.
Combined permitting
Much like combined financing, hiring a single point of contact could streamline the permitting process.
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
Solar panels can last more than 25 years. Putting panels on a new roof reduces the likelihood of needing to replace it before the panels are ready to come down. If you need to replace your roof, you’ll need to first remove the solar panels, which adds an extra step and extra cost to your roofing project.
The actual cost of removing and reinstalling panels varies by system size and location, but you can expect the cost to start around $5,000.
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 per the national average. Zillow reports that owned solar panels 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 cost and time to the roof project.
Reasons you might need a new roof
According to the National Lab of the Rockies, over 2.8 million homes per year need a new roof. While a roof can last 20 years or more, the following signs are indicators that yours needs replacing.
- Broken or loose tiles/shingles: You 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: When your roof is letting water into your home, it’s passed time to replace it.
- 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, they 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.
Source: Wiki Commons
Roofing and solar panels lifetime expectancies
Roofing materials and solar equipment are designed to last for 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 Certified Home Inspectors
Are solar shingles worth it?
Solar shingles are building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) that incorporate solar energy generation in roofing materials. In other words, solar shingles are both solar panel and 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.
Traditional solar panels and roofing materials are typically cheaper and easier to adopt than solar shingle systems. The vast majority of residential solar installations are traditional solar panels. In fact, one high profile option, Tesla’s Solar Roof, was discontinued this year.
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, if you have the space.
Ground-mounted systems are usually more expensive thanks to the additional mounts, trenching, and wiring necessary to bring the power from the panels to the home.
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. Still, rooftop panels are the vastly more popular option.
Palmetto’s solar experts can review your situation and recommend the solar power system that's right for your home. Learn more about rooftop solar or get a free quote 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’s a significant cost to remove and reinstall solar panels 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 solar panels on your roof and need a roof replacement, the panels must come down beforehand.
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.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.
