Should You Replace Your Roof Before Installing Solar Panels?
What You Need to Know About Solar Panels and Roof Replacement
Should you replace your roof before installing solar panels? Our premium Talesun solar panels include a 25-year warranty, which they often outlast – and your Central Washington roof serves as their foundation. Thoroughly assessing its condition before installing solar panels prevents the cost and inconvenience of later removing and reinstalling them during a roof replacement.
Solar installation + roof replacement math:
Make sure your roof has at least 25-30 years of life remaining before installing solar panels.
What happens to solar panels if you need to replace your roof later?
Expect to pay $2,000-10,000+ for solar panel removal and reinstallation to protect your warranty.
Ensure the best decision with a professional roof inspection
Roof replacement costs can often be added to solar panel financing.
Should You Replace Your Roof Before Installing Solar Panels?
Our solar design and installation experts ask about roof type, age, and condition during every initial consultation because these factors directly impact solar panel installation and longevity. Doing the math on your roof’s lifespan before installing solar panels and verifying its condition ensures that your roof will outlast your new solar panel system’s lifespan:
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Asphalt shingles – 20-25 years average lifespan
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Metal roof – 40-70 years average lifespan
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Clay or concrete tiles – 50+ years average lifespan
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Wood shingles or shakes – 20-30 years average lifespan
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Flat roof – 20-25 years average lifespan
Signs You Should Replace Your Roof Before Installing Solar Panels
Scheduling a professional roof inspection before beginning the solar panel installation process ensures your roof will outlast your solar panels. Warning signs you’d be better off replacing your roof before installing solar panels include:
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Roof leaks or water stains in your attic or on your ceiling
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Missing or damaged roof material
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Granule loss on asphalt shingles
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A sagging roof
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Soft spots on roof decking
In general, roofs with less than 25 years of life left and visible wear are best replaced before installing solar panels to protect your system from damage caused by roof failure.
How Does Replacing Your Roof Later Affect Solar Panels?
If you decide to try to save now by forgoing roof replacement and your roof fails later, you’ll be on the hook for the cost of a new roof plus the cost to remove and reinstall solar panels: $2,000-10,000+ depending on solar panel system size, complexity, and accessibility. Roofers will not handle live solar equipment. A certified professional must perform removal and reinstallation to preserve your solar panel warranty and safeguard your system against damage during detachment, storage, and remounting.
Build the Foundation for Long-Term Solar Performance with a Sturdy Roof
In many cases, the most cost-effective approach is to replace your roof before installing solar panels. Roof replacement costs can often be bundled into your solar panel installation financing, helping you improve home function, curb appeal, and value for one low monthly payment. It’s the best way to ensure a stable, leak-free roof surface, eliminate removal and reinstallation costs, and maximize system life.
Ensure a Lasting Solar Investment
Should you replace your roof before installing solar panels? Contact Ellensburg Solar’s experienced installers at 509-929-2728 to schedule a solar panel installation and roof assessment in Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Grandview, Granger, Kennewick, Kittitas, Moxee, Naches, Pasco, Prosser, Richland, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, White Swan, Yakima, or Zillah today.