In addition to helping you save on your energy needs, we can also help you with any roofing problems you have whether it be hurricane related, replacing an old roof or wanting to add value to your home, we got you covered!
Should You Replace Your Roof Before Installing Solar Panels?
Unless it’s new, you should have your roof inspected by a roofer before you install solar panels. Metal roofs can last up to 50 years, while asphalt shingles usually last up to 30 years. So even if your asphalt roof is only 5-10 years old, you still want to make sure it can last as long as your solar panels. Most solar panel brands offer a 25-year warranty, but they can often produce enough electricity for 35 years.
If the installer has determined that your roof needs to be replaced before the panels can be installed, it’s a good idea to listen to them. Otherwise, you could pay a lot in fees to remove and reinstall them. Your roof could even develop leaks that can damage your home. So, replacing your roof before you install solar panels can be beneficial in the long run. When you install solar panels and a roof at the same time, you’re not as likely to need a re-roof throughout the life of the system. Because they’re more durable than most roofing materials, adding solar panels can even extend the life of the roof they cover.
Replacing your roof and installing solar panels at the same time will cost more, so it’s not cheap. But you might be able to save some money by asking the installer for a roofing referral. Most solar panel companies don’t offer roofing services. But because roofs often need to be replaced before solar panels can be installed, both industries are closely connected. Many solar panel installers can offer roofing referrals, which can sometimes lead to a discount on your roof replacement. At Solar Power Integrator, we take care of the process from beginning to end, your roofer or ours.
Signs you Need a New Roof
Roofs are designed to withstand harsh conditions, however, they do not last forever. You may be wondering what signs you need to look for in replacing your roof. Well, here are a few things that cause roof damage and what signs you should be looking for.
Storm Damage: Living near the Gulf Coast, we endure harsh weather from hurricanes. Wind is a big issue that will cause roof damage. Harsh winds can cause your shingles to fly off leading to leaks and creases in your shingles where seals have been broken from flapping in the wind. Harsh weather also brings hail which can damage your roof. Hail can cause shingles to bruise and crack allowing water to leak in. Lastly, fallen debris such as trees can lead to roof damages.
Roof Leak: Roof leaks can lead to big problems if it is not caught in time, so it is important to look for warning signs. The biggest warning sign is water spots on your ceiling or walls. You can also find water spots or wet roof decking seen through the attic. If you look at your roof you will find missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. For your safety, please allow one of our specialists to come assess your roof. Lastly, you can find missing or damaged flashing or boot covers to roof penetrations. Roof leaks are not fun, so look for the warning signs and replace your roof before it becomes a bigger issue.
Old Roof: Roofs eventually need to be replaced and we want you to know what signs you should be looking for in an old roof. There are a number of different things you should be look for such as the shingle’s edges curled or cupped. Another warning sign are bald spots where granules are missing. We previous mentioned this, but cracked shingles can indicate an old roof. Dark streaks are a sign of algae which can make your roof look unattractive. Lastly, moss can grow on your roof’s surface which can cause cosmetic issues and damage granules during freezing temperatures. In general roofs last about 20 years, so if it’s been more than that then you might want to consult with our roof experts in getting a new roof.
We know it’s important for you to feel safe in your own home and we wanted to protect the roof over your head. Whether you have damages from harsh weather, an old roof or just want to increase your home’s value with a new roof, we got you covered! It’s also important to have a sustainable roof that can hold your solar panels if you choose to go that route. Our lead engineer will take a look and assess whether your roof should be replaced or not. We can help you with all your roof needs!
What Types of Roofing Are Good for Solar Panels?
A lot of roofing materials will be able to handle a solar panel installation, but the best one will depend on your specific situation. Some of the factors to consider include the following:
- How much you want to spend on roofing.
- Where you live.
- Your specific aesthetic preferences.
- How much you want to spend on your solar energy system.
Here is a breakdown of the types of roofing materials that can accommodate solar panels and how they compare with each other:
- Asphalt Shingles — This is the most common type of roofing material, and for good reason. They’re affordable, durable, and flexible. High-quality asphalt shingles will work best for solar panels, because you don’t want your system to outlive your roof. Because they’re so common, any reputable installer should be comfortable installing solar panels on a roof that’s made of asphalt shingles.
- Metal Roofing — Metal roofs are great for solar panels. Not only can they last 40-75 years, but they’re also non-flammable and energy-efficient. If your metal roof is light in color, it will reflect light (which will keep your house cool). But they’re not cheap to install, which can keep people from choosing this material for their roof replacement. Installing solar panels on a metal roof will require a different set of skills and equipment, so you want to choose an installer that has experience with working on metal roofs.
- Tile Roofing — Because of their durability, this type of roofing material is common in areas with hot climates or are close to the ocean. They can last for more than 100 years, so you can be sure that a tile roof will outlive your solar panels (assuming it was installed in the last 50 years). They’re more expensive than asphalt roofs, but they’re cheaper than metal roofs. They can also make your solar panel installation more complicated. Labor costs will be higher, because the installer will need to remove tiles and replace them with a mounting foot and flashing.
- Tar and Gravel Roofing — This type of roofing works well for solar panels, because they’re supportive and energy-efficient. Not only can they last 20-30 years, but they can also be patched up and repaired if any damage has occurred. If you have a tar and gravel roof, there’s it’s most likely flat. So, installing solar panels will require some extra hardware to make sure they’re pitched at the best angle. While it can increase the cost of installation, it will allow you to get the most optimal orientation and angle for your system. This can lead to more significant savings in the long run.
Pergolas
In addition to roof repairs, we also can help build onto your home such as a pergola. If you don’t have enough room on your roof for the amount of solar panels we want you at then we can add on a pergola. Not only will it add a shaded area for you to enjoy the outside, but you’ll also be saving money on your electricity bill with the extra panels.
Roofing FAQ
Here are some common questions people ask about rooftop solar panels.
Installing rooftop solar panels is usually safe if it’s done by a qualified professional. Certain safety measures have to be taken, because it will make sure nothing goes wrong.
If you need to replace your roof after solar panels have been installed, they can be removed and reinstalled on your new roof. But it might incur some extra costs.
If they have been properly installed, rooftop solar panels shouldn’t cause any damage. Many solar companies have installation methods that won’t void your roof warranty. Make sure you work with a reputable installer, and be sure to talk about any warranty implications before he or she performs the installation.
Rooftop solar systems don’t usually require a great deal of maintenance, but regular cleaning and monitoring of system performance are recommended to make sure it continues to produce energy at optimal efficiency.
A structural engineer or solar professional can look at your roof to determine if it has enough load-bearing capacity to support solar panels. Certain factors (such as the roof’s materials, age, and construction) all play an important role.
Installing rooftop solar panels can offer a number of benefits that go beyond purchasing green energy (including potential cost savings and energy independence). It’s important to take a close look at the financial and environmental benefits before you make a final decision.
A good rooftop solar system should be able to produce enough energy to meet your average energy needs throughout the year. The American average is approximately 11,000 kWh per year, which is 30kWh per day. But you should look at your utility bills for previous years to determine that amount.
Determining how many rooftop solar panels you need to run your home is easier than you think, but it will depend on the following factors:
– How much energy each panel can produce.
– How efficient they are at producing that energy.
– How much sunshine hits your roof.
Be sure to speak to a professional for more information.
Not every home in America gets enough sun to support rooftop solar panels. If your roof is being shaded by a neighbor’s property, you may have to negotiate a solar easement. You can also join a community solar farm, which allows you to use solar energy without having to install any panels on your property.
While a South-facing roof in the Northern Hemisphere will capture more energy from the sun, other orientations won’t rule out solar. There can even be some advantages to having a roof with an east-west orientation (depending on where you live). Solar trackers can change the orientation of your panels throughout the day, but they’re usually too heavy for an average roof.
At the moment, having a battery backup for rooftop solar panels isn’t very economical. But if having a more resilient source of energy during a power outage or natural disaster is important to you, there are a lot of good options for battery storage that may be worth the extra cost.
A rooftop solar system will include the following components:
– A rack on which the solar panels are mounted.
– Sealing materials that are designed to protect your roof.
– An inverter that converts the DC electricity the panels produce into AC electricity that your home uses.
– Wiring that will send electricity to your home.
– Junction boxes to house the wiring.
– An emergency shutoff panel.
Other types of hardware may be installed as well, so be sure to speak to a professional installer to see what else may be needed.
The installation process should take 1-3 days, but the exact time will depend on how big the job is. The inspection, permitting, and interconnection processes are what take the most time, and it could be three months from the time you sign a contract to when you have solar panels running into your home.
If you’re looking for one of the best places for getting solar power in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Solar Power Integrator.