Replacing Your Roof? It's a Great Time to Add Solar

If you’re one of the millions of homeowners replacing their roof this year, you’re in an ideal position to install solar panels at the same time. By combining your roof replacement with a solar panel installation, you could be powering your home with clean energy for over two decades while also adding an extra layer of protection to your new roof. But that’s not where the benefits end! 

In this article, we’ll explain the advantages of doing a roof replacement and solar installation together and why new roofs and solar installations go hand-in-hand. 

Key takeaways: 

• Roof replacements are the ideal time to install solar panels.
• Combining these two projects has numerous benefits, including potential cost-savings, streamlined installation process, and the chance to design a solar-optimized roof.
• Choosing a solar installer that’s partnered with a roofing company means you can have  one point of contact for both projects. 
• Both solar panels and new roofs have the potential to significantly increase your home’s resale value, making them an excellent choice now and into the future. 
• Installing solar panels will reduce your utility bills, but so can a new roof that’s been optimized to improve thermal performance of your home. 

Potential cost savings

The thought of doing both solar panels and a roof replacement can be intimidating. But, according to the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), it can potentially be more cost-effective to combine these two projects together than to do them separately. Let’s take a look at how this all works. 

According to data from home improvement marketplace, Home Advisor, the national average cost of a roof replacement is about $10,000, based on labor costs, size, and other factors. Depending on the materials used, a new roof should last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the average cost of installing a residential rooftop solar array is $19,000. 

This brings the total cost of a roof replacement + solar installation to around $29,000. But NREL researchers estimate that homeowners can save an average of $4,000 when combining the two together, bringing the average cost to around $25,000. If you’re eligible for state or federal solar tax credits, you could increase your savings by even more. 

Keep Reading: 4 Key Reasons to Prioritize Quality Roofing for Solar Installations

Single point of contact

One reason that the above savings are possible is that some solar installers have partnerships with roofers that can be beneficial to homeowners. 

At Sun Valley Solar Solutions, for example, we frequently collaborate with our sister company Azul Roofing Solutions to offer additional benefits to each other’s clients. This partnership makes it easier than ever to combine a roof replacement with a solar installation by having one point of contact for both projects. 

Managing one home improvement project can be stressful enough, let alone juggling two. By choosing a provider like us, you can simplify the process and avoid the hassle of coordinating between different contractors and approval channels. Instead, you’ll have one dedicated contact overseeing all aspects of your project, from start to finish. This not only streamlines communication but also helps keep your project on track and within budget.

Prevent future costs

Besides potential cost savings and a more streamlined process, deciding to install solar panels during a roof replacement just makes sense! 

Solar panels typically last anywhere from 25 to 35 years, which aligns perfectly with the lifespan of a new roof. By tackling both projects at the same time, there’ll be a much lower chance of having to remove and reinstall the solar panels if a roofing repair is required during the life of your solar array. It’s important to remember that the cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels falls to the homeowner, so ensuring your roof is healthy when the solar panels are initially installed has clear financial advantages. 

See: How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

Add value to your home

We all know solar panels can help you save money on energy bills, but did you know they can also boost your home’s value? According to a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, homebuyers are willing to pay a premium of around $15,000 for a home with an average-sized solar array. On top of that, homes with solar systems often sell faster than those without.

It’s no surprise that new roofs also add value to your home. Remodeling Magazine estimates that a new roof can increase your home’s resale value by more than $17,000 on average. Combine that with the boost from solar, and you’re looking at a significant return on investment. In fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) states that for every dollar you save on energy costs, your home’s value can increase by $20. 

Whether you’re planning to stay or sell, installing solar panels alongside a roof replacement are a win-win both now and into the future.

Similar Reading: ​​Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?

Do good for the planet

Adding solar panels during a roof replacement won’t just benefit your wallet, but the environment too. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, an average of 2.3 million single-family, detached homes will require a roof replacement each year for the next decade. If just a small percentage of these homes goes solar at the same time, it would make a significant difference in helping the U.S. reach its decarbonization goals. 

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, the U.S. is aiming to significantly decarbonize the electricity sector by the end of the decade. To reach this goal, we need roughly 70 gigawatts (GW) of solar installations each year for the next ten years. With millions of homes needing roof replacements each year, installing solar panels during this process could add about 30 GW of solar capacity annually, making a major dent in carbon emissions across the country. 

By choosing solar during your roof replacement, you’re not only saving money and increasing your home’s value but also contributing to the national push towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Combine that with the energy efficiency of a new roof – especially if you go for a reflective or green roof – and you’re taking even greater strides towards reducing your own reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing your carbon footprint. 

So, as you improve your home, you could also be doing good for the planet. And who doesn’t want that?

Optimize your roof for solar efficiency 

Replacing your roof gives you a unique opportunity to design it with solar in mind. For example, some roofing materials work better with solar panels than others. Additionally, it can be advantageous to install solar standoffs during the roofing install to improve efficiency of the job and ensure a good seal. This is especially true when solar companies have a standing relationship with a roofer, including established processes for collaboration. This is the case with Sun Valley Solar Solutions and Azul Roofing Solutions. 

How to make solar panels more affordable

If you’re worried about the upfront costs of combining a roof replacement with a solar installation, you’re not alone. Many homeowners don’t have the cash on hand to cover both projects simultaneously. Fortunately, there are several ways to make solar more affordable. 

One option is a solar loan, which allows you to own your system while spreading out payments over time, often with little or no upfront cost. If you’d rather not buy, you can also lease your solar panels and pay a fixed monthly fee for their use. Keep in mind that if you lease your solar panels rather than owning, you won’t be eligible for any state or federal solar tax credits or financial incentives. 

See: Leasing vs Buying Solar Panels – Which is Best For You?

With these options, solar can fit almost any budget, helping you save on energy costs right away without financial strain. Our friendly team at Sun Valley Solar Solutions will happily walk you through solar panel financing options and help you find one that works for you. We also offer various payment options, including $0 down low monthly lease payments and several solar financing programs with extended terms and $0 down payment options.

Our consultations are free and no-obligation, so don’t hesitate to get in contact. We’ll be more than happy to let you know what’s on offer for you and how much you can expect to save with solar panels. 

FAQs: Combining a roof replacement with a solar installation

If you still have some questions on your mind, we answer some common questions people ask about roof replacements and solar panel installations below. 

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

Most roofs are suitable for solar panel installations. There are only a few cases where a roof might not be suitable, and these are: 

• Your roof is too old 
• Your roof is not structurally sound to hold solar panels
• Your roof’s surface area is too small
• Your roof has too much shade 
• Your roof isn’t large enough to hold enough solar panels to meet your energy needs. 

Should you replace your roof before getting solar panels?

Before installing solar panels, a reputable installer will properly inspect your roof to ensure it's in good condition and can support the weight of solar panels. 

If your roof isn’t structurally sound, or nearing the end of its lifespan, you’ll likely need to replace it before you can install a solar panel system. Considering that most solar panels last anywhere from 25 to 35 years, you’ll want to make sure that your roof lasts at least as long as that. Otherwise, you could be faced with the costly process of removing and reinstalling your solar panels when needing to repair or replace your roof in the future. 

What happens if you need to repair or replace your roof after installing solar panels?

If you need to replace or repair your roof after installing solar panels, don’t worry, it happens! However it can be a costly process. The price will depend on the size of your solar panel system, how many panels you need to remove, if your installer needs to replace aged mounting hardware, and whether you need to store the equipment somewhere during the process. 

Moving solar panels is a delicate process with many safety concerns. To avoid breakage or incorrect re-installations that can negatively impact system performance or cause a fire hazard, it’s always best to have a qualified solar installer manage the job. 

If you find that a roof repair is needed and your original installer is no longer in business, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Sun Valley Solar Solutions for solar removal and reinstallation. Our team services many orphaned systems across the greater Phoenix metro. We follow strict safety procedures to protect your investment and ensure your system continues to perform as well as it did prior to the move. Regardless of whether we installed your solar system originally when you chose us, you can be confident that your panels are in good hands.

Summary: Why it’s worth adding solar panels during a roof replacement

Investing in home improvement projects is never a decision to take lightly, but when it comes to replacing your roof and adding solar panels, the benefits are clear. Not only can you save money on energy bills, but you’ll also be contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future. With solar panels lasting 25 to 30 years, timing their installation with a roof replacement means you’re less likely to deal with the hassle and costs of removing and reinstalling panels later on. Plus, solar boosts your home’s value and can even speed up the selling process. 

For many homeowners, the upfront costs of managing these two projects at once can be a concern, but with various financing options and tax credits and incentives available, solar is more accessible than ever. By combining your roof replacement with solar, you’ll be simplifying the process, saving on project costs, and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve got a fresh new roof and clean, solar energy to boot. 

If you’re ready to take the leap, or want to discuss your options, the team at Sun Valley Solar Solutions is here to help every step of the way. Get in touch with us now and let’s see how we can make your roof replacement and solar installation work.