Today, we are fortunate to have access to many modern technologies. With advancements in technology and our growing concern for the health of our planet, solar energy is becoming one of the most popular ways homeowners can decrease their carbon footprint. If you are a homeowner considering the installation of solar panels on your home, this guide has been designed to help you decide if your roof is suitable for solar and what to do to prepare it for installation. Here you can learn what questions you should address regarding your roof before installation and the best steps to take when preparing for solar.
Assessing Your Roof for Solar Panels
Here are five simple questions you can ask yourself to assess your roof’s compatibility with solar panels. This is the first step to take when considering the installation of solar panels on your home.
What is the age of your roof?
If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you may want to consider a full roof replacement first. An asphalt roof will typically last 20-30 years.
If you have solar panels installed on an older roof and the lifespan of your roof expires before the lifespan of your solar panel system, the solar panels must be removed before the roof can be replaced. Once the roof is replaced, the solar panels must then be reinstalled. This is a time-consuming and expensive task to complete.
What is your roof’s condition?
Age is not the only factor when assessing the condition of your roof. Without proper maintenance and exposure to extreme weather, roofs can be damaged long before their expected life is expired.
If you install solar panels over a damaged area on the roofing system, this can cause a number of serious issues such as not being able to repair the damaged area without removing the solar panels, or not being able to repair the damaged area in a timely manner.
It is important to have the area where the solar panels are being installed inspected for any damages that need to be repaired.
What material is your roof made of?
Solar panels can be installed on many roof materials but are not ideal for all. For example, wood shingles are not a good option because of fire concerns and the installation difficulty.
Metal standing seam roofs are one of the best options. This roof material makes installation easy which decreases time and cost. These roofs are more eco-friendly and have a long lifespan averaging around 30-50 years.
Asphalt shingles are also a very common type of material which reduces the need for specialized equipment. This material usually decreases the time of installation thereby reducing costs as well. However, due to the shorter lifespan, if your shingles are older than 15 years or in poor shape, re-shingling is recommended.
What is your roof’s weight-bearing capacity?
Knowing your roof’s weight-bearing capacity is important when choosing solar panels. This is especially important for older buildings that may not have the capacity that newer buildings are built with today.
On average, most solar panel systems with brackets add two to four pounds per square foot.
How much roof space do you have and what is the location?
Knowing how much roof space is available without obstructions like chimneys and vents, is key to knowing what type or size of solar panels you may need. This will also give you an estimate of potential energy output and return on investment.
Roof orientation, meaning which way the solar panels will be facing, affects the amount of sunlight the panels will be exposed to. South-facing roofs are generally the best because they receive the most sunlight.
3 Important Steps to Prepare for Solar Panel Installation
After addressing the five key questions above, there are three important steps to take to start your solar panel upgrade.
1. Roof Inspection
Hiring a professional to assess your roof’s condition will help you determine your roof’s ability to accommodate solar panels. A professional will be able to tell you if any repairs should be made or if the roof should be replaced before the installation of your solar panels. If you are local, find a residential roofing company in Ludington that offers free inspections and estimates.
2. Take Action
With the information provided by the professional inspection, it is important to take action on what needs to be done if the inspection comes back with a list of issues. Taking prompt action will avoid solar panel delays and ensure you get these issues resolved before the solar panel installation.
3. Permits and Regulation
Knowing your local regulations and hiring professionals who are aware of these regulations is important in making sure your solar panels are installed correctly and up to standards.
Permits may also be required before installation.
Know your HOA rules and local zoning laws. This will keep you from getting into expensive and unwanted conflicts.
Understanding the Costs and Warranties
Roof Replacement Cost
If you are in a situation where the roof does need to be replaced before the solar panels are installed, on average, a roof replacement can cost around $10,000. However, some factors can change this cost such as the size of the roof, what kind of material is used, and the complexity of the job.
There are long-term savings if the roof is older and gets replaced before the solar installation. Homeowners can save thousands down the road by avoiding the need to have the solar panels removed and then reinstalled.
Roof Repair Cost
This cost can vary greatly, depending on how much of the roof needs to be repaired and the extent of the damage. When you have a roofing contractor perform their inspection, they will also usually provide a free detailed estimate on what it would cost to have your specific job completed.
Solar Panel Removal and Reinstallation
The cost of removing your solar panels to repair or replace your roof, and then reinstalling the solar panels can be an average of $3,000-$5,000, depending on how many solar panels you have.
It may seem like a larger expense to replace the roof and install solar together but it will cause less of a financial impact in the future.
Warranty Considerations
If you ever run into a situation where you need to have your solar panels removed and then reinstalled, you want to make sure you use the company that installed them, because if you don’t it could potentially void your solar panel warranty.
Also, it is a good idea to talk to your roofing company about their warranties and ask them if the installation of solar panels will void the warranty. Usually, solar panels will not void the warranty if they are installed properly. You may want to connect your roofing company with your solar company to ensure everybody is on the same page about protecting your warranties.
Making the Decision to go Solar
As you can see, preparing your roof for solar panel installation is a critical step that can save you time, money, and future headaches. By first assessing your roof’s age, condition, material, and weight-bearing capacity, you can determine whether it’s ready to support solar panels. Addressing repairs or even replacing the roof before installation can prevent costly removals and reinstallations later on. While the upfront costs of both roof replacement and solar panel installation may seem significant, they offer long-term savings, enhanced energy efficiency, and a reduction of your carbon footprint. In addition, understanding warranties and regulations ensures that your investment is well protected and compliant with Michigan and local standards. By taking these steps, you are not only making a smart financial decision, but you can move forward with confidence in your solar energy endeavor.