Looking to Go Solar? Consider a New Roof Along With Your Panels!
If you’re considering a solar array, it’s a smart idea to consider a new roof along with your solar panel installation. The lifespan of a new solar array depends in no small part on the lifespan of the roof supporting it. Your roof may already be in excellent condition—but if not, roofing problems down the line will be much trickier to address while working around a solar panel array.
At Elite Roofing & Solar, we provide our customers with solar and roofing solutions that are carefully planned and that will last for many years into the future. When it comes to installing a solar array, that all starts with the health of your roof. Let’s take a look at why you should consider a new roof with your new solar installation.
A Roof and Solar Panels Have Similar Lifespans
Part of the reason why including a new roof with your solar installation is that both of these systems can have similar lifespans. This is especially true for high-quality asphalt shingles, a popular roofing option that generally carries an expected lifespan of around 20–30 years. Standard asphalt shingle roofs will commonly last for around 15–20 years, but can last for longer given proper maintenance.
Meanwhile, most solar arrays carry an expected service life of around 25 years. Manufacturer warranties will of course depend on the specific manufacturer, but most solar companies will cover their equipment for around 20–25 years. This means both solar arrays and the most common type of roofing material share a very similar lifespan that can overlap perfectly if effectively planned.
When Is It a Good Idea to Pair a New Roof with a Solar Installation?
As a rule of thumb, it’s likely a good idea to install a new roof before adding solar panels if the roof is likely to reach the end of its lifespan well before the new solar array. This can happen for two main reasons: Your roof was installed more than a few years ago, or your roof has been significantly damaged.
If your roof already has symptoms of damage, such as from hail or other severe storms, it’s important to have this damage fully repaired before considering solar panels. This is because even minor damage leaves your roof vulnerable to further issues down the line—and a more major issue, such as a roof leak, will be that much harder to address while working around a solar array. If damage is especially significant, a roof replacement will be the best way to ensure it lasts through the life of your solar panels.
On the other hand, if your roof was installed more than 5–10 years ago, it may be a good idea to replace it before adding solar panels to your home. While a roof of this age may still be perfectly healthy, its remaining expected lifespan may only be around 10–15 years—much shorter than the life of a new solar array. Replacing a roof from under a solar array will be much costlier, and it’s likely best to avoid this situation if at all possible.
Do I Really Need to Replace My Roof?
Not necessarily! If your roof is in good shape, well maintained, and still well within its expected lifespan, it should be able to support a new solar array without any issues. There are no hard-and-fast rules for when it’s best to replace your roof before adding solar panels.
Because of this, it’s essential to consult with a roofing expert before adding a solar array on top of your roof. A professional roofer will be able to perform a thorough inspection and evaluate the health of your roof to give you an idea of how solar-ready it is—or isn’t.
Elite Roofing & Solar: The Perfect Partnership
Because the health of your roof plays such a critical role in the success and longevity of a new solar array, it’s very important to schedule a roofing inspection before installing solar panels on your home. Luckily, Elite Roofing & Solar is the perfect marriage: The Elite Roofing team brings decades of roofing expertise paired with SunPower, the most reliable name in the solar industry.
The Elite team will ensure your roof is fully prepared to support a solar array, then coordinate carefully with SunPower to minimize disruptions to your life while installing your home’s new source of sustainable energy. Then, if you’re ever faced with damage to your roof or solar panels in the future, our teams will coordinate once more to repair the damage quickly in order to ensure you get the most from your roof and solar panels.
Ready to get started? Schedule your free consultation with Elite Solar today!
