ROOF CONDITIONS

Is Your Roof Ready for Solar?

Your roof is the foundation of your solar system. Here's what works best and what to consider.

Best Roof Types for Solar

Composite/Asphalt Shingle

Excellent

The most common and most solar-friendly roof type. Easy to install, affordable mounting hardware, and straightforward waterproofing.

Should have 10+ years of life remaining. If your shingle roof needs replacement soon, do the reroof first — it's cheaper than removing and reinstalling solar panels later.

Standing Seam Metal

Excellent

The best roof type for solar — clamp-on mounting with zero roof penetrations. Extremely durable (50+ year lifespan), and the metal surface doesn't degrade around attachment points.

Slightly higher upfront cost for the roof itself, but lower solar installation cost due to no penetration mounting.

Concrete/Clay Tile

Good

Common in Southwest and Florida. Works well for solar but requires specialized tile hooks and careful handling to avoid cracking tiles during installation.

Installation takes longer and costs slightly more due to tile hook mounting. Ensure installer has tile roof experience.

Flat/Low-Slope (TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen)

Good

Common on modern and commercial-style homes. Solar panels are mounted on tilt frames or ballasted racks to achieve optimal angle.

Ballasted systems add weight — verify roof load capacity. Tilt mounts may require parapet clearance.

Challenging Roof Types

Wood Shake/Shingle

Wood roofs present fire risk concerns and are more difficult to waterproof around penetrations. Many jurisdictions require fire-rated pathways.

Some installers won't work on wood roofs. Consider reroofing before solar installation.

Slate

Slate is beautiful but fragile — walking on it can crack tiles. Specialized mounting is required and few installers have slate experience.

Higher installation cost. Ensure installer has specific slate roof experience and insurance.

Built-Up Gravel (BUR)

Older flat roof style with multiple layers and loose gravel. Can be difficult to achieve reliable waterproofing at penetration points.

May need roof assessment or overlay before solar installation.

ROOF AGE

How Old Is Your Roof?

0-5 yearsExcellent — install solar with confidence.

5-10 yearsGood — most roofs are fine for solar installation.

10-15 yearsEvaluate — get a roof inspection. If any repairs are needed, do them before solar goes up.

15-20 yearsConsider reroofing first — removing and reinstalling solar later costs $2,000-$5,000+.

20+ yearsReroof before solar. Most asphalt shingles have a 20-25 year lifespan.

Not Sure About Your Roof?

Start your design and our installers will assess your roof condition during the site survey — included free with every project.

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