Replace Your Roof And Solar Panels At The Same Time
Solar panels have the same average lifespan of a typical roof. Therefore, by replacing your roof and your solar panels simultaneously, you can sync up their timing for when they will have to be replaced again. However, it is important to note that most roof replacement companies do not deal with solar panels and vice versa, so be sure to have both vendors in communication with each other if you are planning on replacing both at once.
What Do Solar Shingles Cost
Although the prices have been dropping of late, as more makers enter the market, solar roofs are expensive. On average, the cost to install solar roof shingles runs $21 to $25 per square foot or $2,100 to $2,600 per roofing square. So a total project could easily average $60,000 to $75,000 at least. Thats considerably higher than the cost of a conventional roof . Even expensive traditional materials like clay or slate cost less than solar tile.
What solar roof tiles will cost you depends on several factors including:
- Roof size: The bigger the roof, the more shingles needed.
- Roof pitch/slope: As is the case with any roof, the more extreme the angling, the more difficult/risky the installation will be, which affects the overall cost.
- Home location: Labor costs vary by city and state.
- Energy needs of your home.
- Particular manufacturer/brand of shingle or tile.
Still, solar shingle prices have dropped since their introduction, and they may continue to do so, given the Inflation Reduction Acts significant incentives and grants for solar implementation, for builders as well as consumers. The Solar Energy Industries Association believes that the IRAs investment in clean energy will spur a renaissance in American solar manufacturing, driving down costs. as its recent Catalyzing American Solar Manufacturing report put it.
Having Solar Panels Pays Off And So Do New Roofs
While it would be ideal to install a new roof before solar panels go up, doing it in the reverse order is perfectly acceptable.
Regardless of the modest extra expense for a solar panel removal, please keep in mind that a well-maintained and fully functioning solar photovoltaic array will likely pay for itself 15-25 years before it needs replacing, and your cumulative energy savings over time should be more than enough to cover the costs of a roof replacement .
Ultimately, your roof will have a limited lifespan in any case, and youâll almost assuredly want to replace it before you try to sell your home.
A house with a new roof and a working rooftop solar panel array will bring you a premium price if and when you do decide to sell.
A 2015 study carried out by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that an average-sized home with a solar array on top is likely to go for about $15,000 more than a similarly sized non-solar residenceâand you can add a few more thousand more to that price if your roof is new and in great shape .
Itâs clear to see that solar panels and new roofs represent a profitable and efficient investment, the value of their symbiotic relationship is undeniable.
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How To Tell If Your Roof Needs To Be Replaced
Even though most roofs only need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years or longer, it is a good idea to have regular inspections, especially if you want to avoid a cold, uncomfortable, and leaky home. Roof inspections help with the early detection of roofing issues. A roof inspector can help you save money by proactively addressing issues before they get out of hand.
If your roof is older than 20 years, particularly if it is an asphalt roof, it may be time to replace it whether you see visible damage or not. If you notice your asphalt shingles cupping or curling, this could indicate that there is water leakage or moisture issues present. Missing or cracked shingles may not indicate that the entire roof needs to be replaced, but they should be replaced as soon as possible. Shingles protect the roof decking. If shingles are missing, this can cause rotting, which exposes your home to leaks.
Sometimes roof issues are not apparent. In these instances, a roofing contractor needs to inspect your roof. For instance, you may have missing granules that make the roof more susceptible to fire. There also may be significant moss or algae growth on your roof. This can be removed with pressure washing. However, if the moss and algae are thick, they may cause roof damage. Excessive growth may indicate that there is a moisture problem.
Do I Need A New Roof Before Getting Solar Panels
So how can you tell whether a roof is fit for solar panel installation? This is a decision you can make after thinking about three different factors: age, cost, and condition.
Age: Is your roof due a restoration?
The first question to address is: how old is your roof?
Solar panels should last over 25 years, so youll probably need to repair or replace your roof at some point while your panels are up. However, if your roof is relatively new when the solar panels are installed, the installation will run much more smoothly.
So its a good idea to make sure your roof is going to stand strong for at least 10 more years. If you suspect your roof is on its way out, its best to enquire about repair or restoration.
Cost: does it make financial sense to restore your roof?
Roof restoration with solar panels is more expensive, as the panels need to be removed.
If your roof needs to be restored at some point in the near future, youll save money by doing it sooner rather than later. You wont have to pay for panels to be removed, and your roof will cope a lot better with the solar panel installation.
Ultimately, youll save money over the next 10-15 years on maintenance by restoring your roof before getting solar panels.
Condition: is your roof ready for panel installation?
As well as thinking about how old the roof is, you should also consider the condition of the roof.
Here are some signs that your roof needs repairing or replacing:
Leaks coming from the roof.
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Examine The Roof Covering
While it is not necessarily required that you replace, repair, or inspect the roof covering of your property, it would be wise to do so before installing the solar panel system. Since solar panels attach to mounts that attach to the roof system, it would not make sense to install new solar panels on a leaking roof or one you expect to replace in a few years. Doing so would require absorbing the costs to remove the solar panels, as well as their reinstallation after repairs to the roof, were made. In addition, it could void manufacturer warranties and put your solar equipment at additional risk if something were to happen during the disconnection or reinstallation of the solar equipment.
What Roof Slope Orientation Is Best For Solar Panels
Another factor that has an impact on solar panel power production is the direction or orientation of the roof slope where the solar panels are installed.
In the Northern Hemisphere , the general guidance is for solar panels to face south because south-facing sides of roofs get the most sunlight during the day.
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How To Prevent An Expensive Solar Panel Removal
It happens far too frequently for homeowners to install brand-new solar panels on an unreliable roof. Unfortunately, the cost of removing the panels for re-roofing goes into the thousands. Because of this, before installing panels, your solar roofing business should always let you know if there are issues with your roof.
You should consult with several solar and roofing companies before making a decision on solar panels. This guarantees that both the panels and your roof will last. By doing this, you may evaluate prices and set aside cash for upfront costs.
Dont worry if you already have brand-new solar panels installed on a roof that has to be replaced. You can still take steps to save money. Get prices for removal and reinstallation from several solar suppliers. Maintain open lines of communication with your solar company to ensure that you are fully aware of the costs you are paying and where you may be able to save.
What Is The Cost Of Roof Replacement With Solar Panels
We rely on our roofs to do a lot. They have to keep our homes and our families dry and warm, stand up to harsh weather like intense sun, icy winters, hail, and strong winds, and enhance the look of your home. And if you power your home using solar panels? Your roof also has to absorb enough energy to keep your house up and running.
Typically, a roof with asphalt shingles will last about 20 years maybe 25, at best. You may notice warning signs that its time to replace your roof that include:
- Shingles with curled edges, or tabs that are cupped
- Bald spots on shingles where asphalt granules are missing
- Cracked shingles
- An old, worn, or sub-faded appearance
- Dark streaks, moss, mold, or roof rot
But what does this replacement process look like when you have solar panels resting atop your roof? And more importantly, how much will it cost you to replace your roof when you have a solar photovoltaic system?
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Removing Solar Panels To Replace Your Roof
Whether your roof needs painting, restoring or replacing, solar panels will often need to be removed. This is a job thats best left for the roofing professionals.
At Vivify Roofing, were used to removing solar panels to replace roofs, so we can remove and replace them quickly and safely, without causing damage to your roof.
Once your panels are down, your roof is an open canvas for repair work or replacement. And theres no risk of your panels being damaged during the repair process. Once your roof is in top shape again, your solar system can be easily re-installed.
Do You Need To Replace Your Roof To Go Solar
In many cases, youll want to replace your roof before going solar but ultimately, this depends on your roofs age and its material. If you have a metal or tile roof, theres a good chance you wont need to replace it in order to go solar. But, if you have asphalt shingles or tar and gravel roofing, its probably a good idea to replace your roof before installing solar panels. If your roof material isnt suitable for solar , you should replace it with compatible material. As a general rule of thumb, if your roof is between five and 10 years from needing replacement, youll likely want to replace it in order to go solar.
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Do You Need To Replace Your Roof Before Getting Solar Panels
Residential solar panels can power your home at their maximum efficiency for at least 30 years. Because theyre so durable, if your roof is just a few years off from needing to be replaced, then its probably a good idea to get it taken care of prior to getting your solar panels installed.
Why? If you decide to go ahead with your solar installation and wait to replace your roof later, then youre going to run into extra costs to remove your solar panels for the roof replacement, and re-installation afterward. So while replacing your roof and getting your solar panels at the same time might seem like it will cost more upfront, it will actually save you money since you will avoid incurring those extra costs later on.
If your roof is damaged in any way, then its a good idea to get those concerns addressed as soon as possible. You can get your roof evaluated to see how extensive the repairs might be, or if its recommended that you get a partial or full roof replacement to withstand your new solar panel system.
Do You Have To Remove Solar Panels To Replace A Roof
If you have solar panels on top of your building, youll need to remove them before replacing your roof. You should contact the company that installed the panels to request a temporary removal. If you dont want to work with the original company, find a solar installer that maintains other companies roofs.
Roofers dont generally perform that task. Having a licensed professional remove the solar panels will protect your investment. Youll also need them to reinstall the solar panels when the roof is complete.
This involves an extra step on your part. Youll need to act as the intermediary between the roofers and solar installers. Its important to coordinate the schedule so that the job can be completed as efficiently as possible. Some roofers have relationships with solar installers. They may work together, cutting out your job as the middleman and coordinating the project on their own.
An experienced roofer may also offer to remove and replace the solar panels themselves. Most solar panels use a simple bolt mounting system, which makes removing and replacing solar panels straightforward. Ask your roofer if they can perform this service to simplify the workflow and eliminate the need to juggle multiple contractors.
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What If Your Roof Has More Good Years Left
If your roofer estimates that your roof has at least 5 years of life left in it, you may not want to replace it now because youll be throwing away the money you paid for those years of use that youre forfeiting. On the other hand, if you choose to wait more years to go solar, youll be forfeiting those years of electricity cost savings. So, what should you do?
For the most accurate estimate of how much you can expect to save by switching to solar energy for your home, ask your local Solarise Solar expert to calculate your solar payback period for you. The solar payback period is just the number of years it will take for your solar panel system to pay you back for your initial investment through energy cost savings.
Youll also have to consider the cost of a new roof vs. waiting additional years to replace it in this decision on whether to replace the roof before installing your solar panels.
In some areas, electricity prices and available solar rebates can reduce the solar payback period down to just 5 years for many homeowners. Alternatively, in some areas of the country, where electricity costs are lower, and there are fewer rebate opportunities, the solar payback period can reportedly be up to 15 years or longer.
What Is A Rail
This type of system is based on aluminum rails that are attached in rows to your roof. The rails are secured to the roof with footings . You can see an example in the photo at the top of this article.
Rail-based solar mounting systems are strong and are the most common type in use. This popularity is advantageous because installation crews have a lot of experience with them.
Their strength can be an important factor in regions where a solar array can be subjected to strong forces, such as hurricanes. Because the rails provide rigidity, they are a good choice when high winds or heavy snow loads are a possibility.
Another benefit of rails is they provide a convenient mounting point for wiring and inverter components. Good wire management is a particularly underappreciated part of a solar installation. Poor wire management can be ugly, but can also lead to electrical problems down the road. Loose wires can flap around in the wind, eventually causing insulation to wear away, exposing the wire underneath.
On the other hand, rail-based systems may have higher costs and take longer to install than railless systems.
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How Much Do Solar Mounting Systems Cost
Solar mounting systems are usually not priced separately from the solar system itself, as they are just considered materials for the installation. For a pole-mounted system, you can expect to pay about $100 to $200 per pole. However, these poles are usually for a single panel, so if you are looking to install an array, the cost may be higher.
Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
It is recommended that your roof is inspected by a professional roofer before and after solar panels are installed to ensure the roof is intact and has suffered no damage during installation. Solar panel installations are known to cause minor damages to roofs from time to time, and while the solar panel installer will look for damages, sometimes they dont have the same eye for weak spots on the roof like a professional roofer does. Therefore, after everything is said and done, a professional roofer should do a final inspection for any loose shingles, accidental punctures, or damaged roofing.
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Whats The Best Way To Coordinate Roof Replacement And Solar Installation
Some companies only offer one type of service or the other, but if you can, its ideal to work with a singular company that can handle both your roof repairs/replacement and your solar panel installation. This will save you the headache of juggling appointments and lots of back-and-forth with two separate teams.
Solar Panel Removal Tips
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when it comes to the removal and reinstallation of your solar panels:
1. Most of the original hardware such as the mounting hardware and flashings may be damaged easily upon their removal.
2. Permits may need to be requested from your citys building and safety department.
3. Most solar companies will require at least 6 more panels to be added to your setup.
4. The solar panel companys quote will solely cover the removal and reinstallation of the solar panels. The rest of the costs that may come with the actual roofing material will not be covered by them.
5. Make it a point to contact your original solar panel installation company. If that doesnt seem to be possible, make sure that you contact a similar company. This is a job for professionals so it would be safest if you dont attempt to DIY it.
This needs to be done properly and needs to be under warranty coverage or you will end up incurring costs that could easily rack up to the thousands of dollars.
Will A Solar Company Pay For A New Roof
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Most of the solar companies in the country dont come with roofing services. It goes without saying that they will not offer it nor pay for it.
However, solar reinstallation and re-roofing usually go hand in hand so ask them for roofer referrals and theyre bound to give you some really good ones that you can contact in your area.
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