Should I replace my roof before getting solar panels?
You should hold off on getting solar panels if your roof will need replacing within the next 10 years. Being unsure about the roof's current state and whether professionals need to redo it first can stop you from moving forward with the installation entirely.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
Should I replace my roof before getting solar panels?
- 1Reinforcing cracking seams with mesh and aluminum coating before installationDid this help you?
- 2Hiring contractors who specialize in both roofing and solar to minimize leak risksDid this help you?
- 3Posting photos of the roof on forums to get professional opinionsDid this help you?
- 4Applying a DIY aluminum roof coating to extend the roof's lifeDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I am considering putting some solar panels in the new year but I am unsure about the current state of my roof and if I need to have some pros redo it (or do something to it) before I get some panels installed.”source ↗
“I’m debating solar but if I need to replace it within the next 10 years I dont want to do solar”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Pros and cons of buying a house with a flat roof
- 61How to tell if a new roof was installed correctly
- 3Does my lifted skylight need a professional inspection?
- 4Can I install siding, soffit, and fascia before roof shingles?
- 12Are powered attic roof vents actually worth it?
- 2How to tell if roof hail damage is serious enough to fix