Upgrading to solar energy lowers electricity bills and helps power your house with clean, renewable energy for decades to come. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are often installed on a Massachusetts home’s roof, and because they’ll stay there for many years, it’s important to consider the condition of your roof before residential solar installation.
If you’re wondering whether you’ll need a new roof before going solar, here are some things to keep in mind.
Removing and Reinstalling Solar Panels on Your Roof Can Be Expensive
Once solar panels are installed on a roof, the goal is to keep them there for decades (the panels themselves have a lifespan of around 25 years). One of the benefits of solar installation is that they should need little to no maintenance for the decades they’re in use, but a drawback to this is that it’s not easy to just take them on and off if there’s a problem with your roof-a typical residential solar system takes a day to remove and another full day to reinstall.
Having to replace your roof in the middle of your solar panels’ lifespan will mean having a solar installer remove the panels and then reinstall them after your new roof is put on, which could cost you thousands of dollars. This is why it’s important to make sure your roof is in good condition before going solar.
Roofs Can Last a Long Time-Here’s a Handy Guide to Help Your Solar Decision
Asphalt shingle roofs last an average of 30 years, so before you go solar, you’ll want to know how old your roof is, what condition it’s in, and how many more years you can expect out of it. Then, use this reference to determine if your roof is suitable for solar panels, or if it needs to be replaced first:
- 20+ years of life left in your roof: If your roof is in good shape and is expected to last for many years to come, you likely can install solar panels without roof replacement first.
- 5-20 years of life left in your roof: This is where the decision can get tricky! You’ll want to factor in your solar payback period and projected energy savings before making the call on replacing your roof before installing solar. An experienced solar company near you like My Generation Energy can help you decide.
- Less than 5 years of life left in your roof: Definitely replace your roof before going solar-it will be much more cost-effective to upgrade to a new roof now.
Find Out If Your House Is Good for Solar with My Generation Energy
Sometimes it’s easy to tell if your roof is in poor condition (missing or damaged shingles, shingle granules coming loose), but oftentimes, it pays to have a professional opinion. At My Generation Energy, we know that a good roof is essential to a long-lasting solar panel system that continues to deliver reliable, free electricity for years and years.
After 14 years in business, and with more than 1,200 residential and commercial solar installations under our belt, our team of local Massachusetts solar experts can help you assess your roof for solar viability. Home and business owners throughout Cape Cod, the Greater Boston area, and beyond are glad they trusted My Generation Energy with their solar upgrades-give us a call today to find out just how easy solar can be!
