Will Solar Panels Void My Roof Warranty?

One of the most common questions we get when discussing going solar with a Cape Cod homeowner is, “Will solar panels void my roof warranty?”

It’s an understandable concern. Roof replacement is one of the most expensive home repairs a homeowner can make and protecting that investment with a roof warranty is crucial. 

And yet, the concern is almost certainly unfounded. Roof warranties are hardly ever voided by the installation of rooftop solar panels, as long as the panels are installed by a reputable company.

In this article we’ll explain how roof warranties work, how solar warranties work and how the two intersect. Since most roofs on Cape Cod are covered with composite shingles, we’ll reference two of the largest manufacturers of composite shingles – GAF and Owens Corning – in our examples.

The Great Misconception About Roof Warranties

A surprising number of homeowners fundamentally misunderstand the nature of their roof warranty. I can’t count the number of times a homeowner has confidently told me that they have a 50-year warranty on their roof, and they’re not going to exchange that for the 10-year warranty that a solar company typically offers.

So let’s start by explaining how roof warranties work.

Two Types of Roof Warranties

The first thing to know about your roof warranty is that it’s really two warranties in one:

• A materials warranty
• A workmanship warranty

Manufacturers issue materials warranties for roofing components like shingles and tiles. These warranties may cover you for anywhere between 25 and 50 years, depending on the material used.

The workmanship warranty is from the installer and safeguards the quality of the roof’s installation. Installer warranties seldom last longer than ten years.

Solar’s Impact on Your Roof Warranty

A reputable solar company will simply replace your roof installer’s warranty with a ten warranty of its own.

If your solar company doesn’t offer at least a 10-year workmanship warranty to cover the possibility that their installation might damage your roof, you should not use them. Any leaks that might occur after ten years, the solar company can reasonably argue would not be their fault.

As for the manufacturer’s warranty, those guidelines are easy to find since they’re published in what are known as Technical Bulletins. Here’s one from GAF and another one from Owens Corning.

As long as your solar installer follows these manufacturer’s guidelines, they will not void the shingle warranty.

Solar Warranties

That 10-year workmanship warranty is one of three warranties that the solar company itself will likely offer. The other two are a Product Warranty, which covers defects in the panels, inverters or other equipment that is installed on your roof; and a Performance Warranty, which guarantees that the system will generate the amount of electricity that the solar company said it would.

The Final Verdict – Will Solar Panels Void My Roof Warranty?

The answer is almost certainly not, as long as you choose a reputable installer. Larger solar companies that do thousands of installations a month are more likely to know and follow the rules than small “fly-by-night” companies. 

Check online reviews, ask for references and actually follow up with those references and call the people to ask. As in any industry, there are good actors and bad ones working in solar. Obviously, it makes sense to do your due diligence to make sure you find a good one. 

If you do that, you’ll find that both your solar panels and your roof remain adequately protected by the appropriate warranties.

If you would like to learn more about how going solar will impact your rood, feel fee to contact us to set up a time to chat.

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