Should You Replace Your Roof Before Going Solar?

Here on Cape Cod, where the housing stock tends to skew on the older side, it’s quite common that before we can talk to a homeowner about going solar, we also need to have a serious conversation about the roof. 

Roof condition is critical to a successful install and the question often arises: should you replace your roof before going solar?

In this post, we’ll delve into the factors to consider, the pros and cons of replacing your roof before installing solar panels, and provide guidance to help you make the right decision.

Three Likely Roof Condition Scenarios

For me, when I’m talking to a homeowner about their roof, its condition is likely to fall into one of three broad categories.

First there’s the “no-chance-we’re-putting-solar-on-that” category. The roof is way past its natural lifespan and everyone agrees that it needs to be replaced before anyone can even think about going solar.

Then there’s the opposite extreme. The roof was replaced less than 10 years ago and, notwithstanding a cursory check at the site survey, everyone agrees that adding solar panels would be perfectly fine.

The vast majority of roofs on Cape Cod fall into a third “in-between” category of being 10 to 20-years old, probably fine for at least a few more years but the homeowner is thinking to themselves, “do I really want to put panels up, just to take them down again when I need to replace the roof?

It’s this third scenario for which it’s tricky to answer the question: Should you replace your roof before going solar?

The Solar Company’s Take

The solar company is going to perform a site survey prior to installing panels and will determine if they think the roof is in good enough condition. But there are some things you need to consider before accepting theirs as the final word on the matter.

First, is the obvious one that the solar company really wants you to go solar. So as long as the roof meets their minimum standard for a safe, leak-free installation, they’re likely to want to steer you away from asking awkward questions about what happens when the roof needs to be replaced.

If you do ask that question they’re likely to give vague answers about coming over, removing the panels and storing them safely for thirty days while you get the roof replaced and then re-installing the panels afterwards.

What they won’t do is give you a rock-solid quote for how much it’s likely to cost. How could they? It’s impossible to accurately quote a job like that when it may not happen for 5-10 years.

But a good rule of thumb is that it currently costs around $255-$275 per panel to remove and reinstall a solar array. That means the cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels so that you can replace the roof in a few years time could easily wipe out any savings you may see from going solar in the first place. 

Certain less-than-reputable solar companies may not want you to think too hard about that but it’s a real consideration when deciding if you should replace your roof before going solar.

The “Free” Roof With Solar Panels

So we can acknowledge that the solar company really wants you to go solar, and that if you start asking awkward questions about roof condition you’re going to be less likely to do that. Therefore, it stands to reason that the solar company will have a ready answer for you to try and overcome the roof objection.

And that ready answer goes along the lines of “why don’t we help you with the cost of replacing the roof as part of the solar project?”

Now, if the solar company tells you it’s a free roof, run. They’re lying and you shouldn’t be doing business with them. 

But if they carefully explain the creative financing options for replacing the roof as part of a solar project, and go over all the pros and cons of doing that, then, yes, getting the solar company to help with replacing the roof before going solar is a perfectly viable option.

Here’s an article on how these roof replacement with solar deals work.

A Guide to Roof Age and Solar Installation

Solar panels and roof shingles have a similar expected lifespan, so there’s a certain logic to aligning their replacement time frames by doing the two projects at roughly the same time.

But what if your roof was already installed several years ago. How do you determine whether it’s best to replace it before going solar? 

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect based on your roof’s age:

• Less than 5 years old: Your roof is in great shape, making it the perfect time to go solar.
• 5 to 10 years old: There’s a chance you’ll need a new roof midway through the life of your solar panels. Inspect your roof to determine how much life it has left before installing solar panels.
• 10 to 20 years old: You’ll likely need to replace your roof at some point during the lifetime of your solar panels. Budget a few thousand dollars more for a future roof replacement.
• More than 20 years old: You’ll almost certainly need to replace your roof before installing solar panels. Consider the solar company’s offer to combine the two projects in one or put off going solar until after you get the roof replaced.

What if You don’t Know How Old Your Roof Is?

It’s not uncommon to come across a homeowner who doesn’t know how old their roof is. One clue might be the type of shingles used. If your roof is covered in 3-tab shingles, it’s a fair bet that it’s at least 20 years old because it’s about that long since such shingles were routinely used in New England.

It’s worth doing the extra work to check, whether it’s an inspection report or checking with the town’s building department to see when a permit was last pulled. If it’s been more than 15 years, you should probably replace your roof before going solar.

Final Thoughts on Whether You Should Replace Your Roof Before Going Solar

The age of your roof plays a significant role in determining the success of your solar installation. While the solar company will makes it’s own determination as to the condition of your roof, it’s best not to just take their word for it. 

By understanding the relationship between your roof’s age and solar panel installation, you can make an informed decision that saves you time, money, and hassle in the long run. Take the time to assess your roof’s condition and plan accordingly.

If you are wondering whether you should replace your roof before going solar, contact us to set up a no-pressure chat about the pros and cons.