Why Quality Roofing Matters for Solar Panels Installation

The condition of your roof plays a pivotal role when considering solar energy for your home, especially if you’re installing rooftop solar panels. Investing in high-quality solar panels is one thing, but to ensure a successful and efficient solar power system you also need quality roofing. 

For every new solar energy inspection, we always conduct a thorough roof inspection to make sure that the mounting area is healthy enough to last for the life of a solar array. For some older roofs we will call in a third party roofer to conduct a more in-depth assessment. 

In short, step one for any solar installation is making sure your roof is healthy. Here's an updated perspective on why a top-notch roof is essential and what you should consider if a new roof, or roof repairs, are necessary. 

1. Cost savings: Avoid expensive removal and reinstallation

A sound roof is a prerequisite for a hassle-free solar experience. Installing solar panels on a damaged or aging roof can lead to costly removal and reinstallation jobs in the future. 

How your roof can make solar panels more expensive

Solar panels are designed to last for decades, but if your roof needs repairs or replacement shortly after installing a solar panel system, you’ll face the costly process of removing and then reinstalling the panels in order to replace the roofing material underneath. 

Most solar warranties only cover roof damage that’s directly related to the installation of the panels themselves. More specifically, penetration points and the immediate surrounding area is covered. If your roofing material is old, or the underlayment has shrunk, you run the risk of larger repairs that are likely to require removal of the solar panels – an expense that falls entirely on you. By addressing roofing issues before installing solar panels, you can avoid these additional costs and ensure your solar panel system lasts you into the future. 

Consider this example: one homeowner installed solar panels without first checking their roof’s condition. Just a few years later, they discovered significant roof damage that needed immediate attention and repairs. The costs involved with removing the solar panels, repairing the roof, and then reinstalling the panels were substantial, negating the savings they had gained from their solar investment. This situation would have been avoided if the solar panel installer, or an independent roofer, conducted a thorough roof’s inspection and repair before the solar installation.  At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, our first step is always a thorough roof inspection. 

Inspecting your roof to prevent costly repairs

If your home is older, or you have concerns about the age or condition of your roof, you can always set up your own roof inspection before you begin shopping for solar. We recommend Azul Roofing Solutions because they have extensive experience with solar and know exactly what to watch out for when solar is part of your future plans. Sun Valley Solar Solutions will only install on a roof that is healthy enough to handle a solar installation. A typical roof inspection includes:

• Roof age: Assessing whether your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan
• Tile condition: Looking for broken, missing, or deteriorating roof tiles
• Ridge capping: Checking for damaged ridge capping
• Underlayment inspection: This is the material that resides on top of the wood and beneath your tiles/shingles. Almost all roofing types have underlayment.  
• Leakage: Spotting signs of water stains or potential leaks inside the house
• Structural integrity: Ensuring your roof’s structure can support the additional weight of solar panels. 

2. Establishing a strong foundation for long-term performance

Quality solar panels are designed to operate at near-peak efficiency for 25 to 30 years, and often deliver ample renewable energy for many years beyond that. Solar panels need a roof that is equally resilient and can match this lifespan. Poor-quality roofing materials can fail within a few years and undermine the longevity of your solar system. 

If your roof requires a refresh prior to going solar, we strongly recommend investing in high-quality roofing materials that will last at least as long as your solar panels, or close to it. It simply doesn’t make sense to install solar panels on a roof that’s nearing the end of its lifespan when repair or replacement would require you to remove and reinstall the solar panels at your own expense.

The durability of different roofing materials

The durability of your roof will likely depend on the materials it's made from. Below, we look at the most common roofing materials and how long they typically last. 

• Asphalt shingles: These are the most common roofing material. They’re affordable and usually last around 20 to 30 years. Depending on when you had them installed, they may or may not match the lifespan of your solar panels. 
• Three-tab asphalt shingles: These are less durable and usually last between 15 to 20 years before requiring repairs or replacement. If you have a three-tab shingle roof that’s five years or older, you may want to consider replacing your roof before investing in solar panels. 
• Architectural shingles: These are higher-quality than traditional shingles and made from a denser material that provides added durability. Architectural shingles should last between 25 to 30 years when properly maintained. Depending on when you had them installed, they would make an ideal roof for solar panels. 
• Metal roofing: Metal roofs are high-quality and durable, able to last anywhere between 40 to 80 years depending on the gauge (thickness and weight). Aluminum generally has a shorter lifespan than steel or copper. A metal roof will provide an excellent foundation for solar panels. 
• Clay tiles: These are more expensive than some other roofing materials but can last up to 100 years. But while the tiles themselves will have a long life, the underlayment will need to be replaced much sooner, depending on the type of underlayment used.
• Concrete tiles: These have similar benefits to clay tiles and are a good option for solar panel installations. Like clay tiles, the underlayment will need to be replaced long before the tiles themselves. 
• Slate tiles: These are the most durable of all roofing materials, able to last 150 years. That said, a slate tile roof is more prone to cracks and breaking, making solar panel installations more difficult and labor-intensive. And of course, that pesky underlayment won’t last anywhere near as long as the tiles. 
• Tar and gravel roofs: This is a type of flat roof that can last between 20 to 30 years or even longer when properly maintained. They’re a good roofing option for solar panels. 

With all these different roofing options, you might be wondering which is ideal for solar panel installations. The truth is, the best roofing material for solar panels is any foundation that will withstand the weight of solar panels for their 25 to 30-year lifespan. 

How to increase the lifespan of your roof

The two most important factors for a durable, long-lasting roof are choosing high-quality materials and using professional, experienced roof installers who can do the job properly. 

Once your roof is installed, you can continue to increase its lifespan with regular maintenance. This includes: 

• Cleaning the roof of debris 
• Removing leaves and debris from gutters 
• Inspecting roof tiles or shingles, soffits, and fascia for damage
• Inspecting your attic and ceilings for signs of leaks
• Trimming branches from nearby trees. 

3. Optimal panel efficiency through proper roof ventilation

A well-ventilated roof can make your solar panels work more efficiently by cooling the ambient temperature and reducing the strain on your solar system. Below, we look in more detail at how proper roof ventilation can increase the efficiency of your solar panels. 

Roof ventilation & solar panel efficiency 

Roof ventilation stops the buildup of heat in your roof cavity by allowing air to circulate, reducing the overall temperature of your roof. During hot weather, a poorly ventilated roof can become extremely hot. This increases the temperature of your home which means that your HVAC system and your solar panels have to work that much harder to ensure a comfortable environment for you and your family. 

By allowing hot air to escape and ambient air to flow through your roof, proper ventilation can help keep temperatures down and prevent solar panels and AC systems from being overtaxed . This can boost overall efficiency and further reduce your electric bills.  

Types of roof ventilation

There are a few different ways to ventilate a roof, including: 

• Ridge vents: These are the most common type of roof ventilation. They’re installed along the peak of a roof, allowing hot air to rise and escape to reduce attic temperatures. 
• Box vents: These are installed by cutting a hole in your roof and sitting the vent over the top. One or two box vents isn’t enough to properly ventilate a roof, you’ll usually need a bunch. 
• Roof turbines: These are an eco-friendly roof ventilation option that rely on winds to activate and spin their blades, pulling hot air out of the attic. 
• Attic vents: These are electric-powered fans that actively pull hot air out of your attic. They’re also available in solar-powered options. 
• Soffit vents: These are another popular type of roof intake vent, installed directly under your eaves.They draw in cooler air from outside which then pushes hot air out through ridge vents. 

Roof materials that improve ventilation and insulation

When replacing your roof before solar installation, consider materials and designs that improve ventilation and insulation, like cool roofing options and Low-E insulation. These upgrades aid in heat reflection and create a thermal break, reducing heat transfer and supporting your solar panels' performance.

Cool roofing materials

Just as wearing light colored clothing can keep you cooler on a hot day, cool roofs can keep your roof temperature low by absorbing less sunlight. These materials reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofing materials, helping reduce the temperature of your roof. 

Choosing a white color for your roof materials can reflect between 60-90% of sunlight. If you have a dark colored roof, you can use special pigments to reflect about 30-60% of sunlight, thereby making your roof cooler.

Below, we offer some 'cool roof options' for traditional roofing materials:

• Asphalt shingles: Choose light-colored shingles, or if you prefer darker ones, choose those with cool-colored granules. It's not recommended to field-coat previously installed asphalt shingles to make them cooler, as this can cause moisture retention issues and void your warranty. 
• Wood shingles: These are naturally cool. 
• Polymer shingles: Also known as synthetic or composite shingles. Choose ones that use light or cool-colored pigments.
• Clay tiles: Choose tiles with a light or cool-colored glaze. You can also retrofit glazed clay tiles with a field-applied polymer coating in a light or cool color. 
• Concrete tiles: Choose tiles with a light or cool-colored slurry or polymer coating. You can also retrofit existing concrete tiles with a field-applied polymer coating. 
• Slate tiles: These aren't usually very cool. 
• Metal shingles: Choose ones coated with a light or cool-colored paint, or factory surfaced with reflective mineral granules. Unpainted metals reflect the sun well but can get hotter than painted materials so they're not the best choice. You can retrofit metal shingles or tiles with a field-applied paint.

Low-E insulation

All building products come with an E or 'emissivity' rating. This refers to the ability of a surface to give off heat to a cooler surface.  The lower the E rating, the less radiant heat a surface will give off. Low-E insulation creates a thermal break which reduces heat transfer between the roof and attic. This not only regulates temperature but also supports solar panel performance by maintaining a cooler environment.

The benefits of using Low-E insulation are: 

• Lower attic temperatures: Any heat that would've been transferred into your attic will be reflected out with Low-E insulation. This leaves you with a cooler attic. 
• Longer roof lifespan: By reducing the amount of heat that's transferred to your other roofing materials, Low-Insulation can slow down degradation of your roof and expand its lifespan. 
• Increased solar panel efficiency: Just as Low-E insulation can increase the lifespan of your roof, it does the same for your solar panels by ensuring they remain cooler and therefore more efficient. 

• Cost savings: Low-E insulation can keep your home cooler and reduce energy bills that come from air conditioning. By protecting your roof and solar panels from accelerated degradation, it also helps you save money on roof reinstallation and repairs as well as untimely solar panel degradation. 

4. The advantage of solar-savvy roofers

Not all roofers are created equal, especially when it comes to solar installations. Roofers with solar experience understand the specific technical needs of solar systems. This expertise is especially important when it comes to roofs made from unique materials, such as clay or sand-cast tile, where solar installations require specialized methods. 

As experienced solar panel installers here at Sun Valley Solar Solutions, we recommend Azul Roofing Solutions for their deep understanding of how a roof impacts solar energy systems. Azul collaborates closely with us as a sister company, helping us seamlessly integrate roofing and solar solutions.

Summary: Quality roofing makes for quality solar installations

Quality roofing is not just a layer of protection for your home; it's a critical component of a successful solar power system. Ensuring your roof is in prime condition before installing solar panels allows you to enjoy long-term savings, efficiency, and peace of mind. 

While it may cost you more upfront to repair or change your roofing, you’ll be minimizing the chances of repairs and installations in the future. This can save you money in the long-term and ensure you maximize the return on investment (ROI) of your solar panels by providing a strong foundation. 

If you’re interested in solar, we recommend contacting Azul Roofing Solutions for a free site evaluation assessing the quality and durability of your roof. With a strong roof foundation, your solar panel installation will last for decades at high efficiency. For any other questions about solar, contact our team at Sun Valley Solar Solutions and we’ll be glad to help.