How Does A Roof Replacement With Solar Panels Work?
A good solar panel system can last you anywhere from 25 to 35 years. That’s decades of savings on your electricity that you may be interested in reaping the benefits of!
A lot of homeowners wonder about the impact that solar panels may have on their roofs.
Is the roof going to be able to hold them over time? Should you focus on replacing the roof with solar panels or adding solar panels elsewhere on your property?
If you’re curious about whether or not new roof solar panels are a good idea, keep reading and learn more.
Why Choose To Add Solar Panels?
The cost of the system and the installation will be, on average, about $15,000 to $25,000. While this may seem like a very steep price, you have to consider the long-term savings. There aren’t a lot of expenses after the initial setup, so as long as you keep them for a couple of decades, they will pay themselves off.
Solar panels make their own power and this can be used to greatly decrease your electric bill, if not eliminate it altogether.
If you pay a lot of money right now for electricity, you’ll probably experience an even greater benefit by switching to solar than other people would.
Living in an area that gets a lot of sunlight makes you a prime candidate for solar panels.
Check out how efficient panels may be in the Phoenix, AZ area, and see if you may be in a good spot for solar power.
Arizona is a great state for sunshine and this is why so many people are considering solar energy for their homes.
A new roof with solar panels is a great idea because the government offers people incentives for installing them and using them as an alternative energy resource. Some states provide cashback, expedited permits, or exemption from property taxes.
Do You Need a Roof Replacement First?
You may want to have a roof inspection done before you install solar panels to make sure that it is going to be able to hold up to the effort. This is especially important if you think your roof may already be near the end of its life.
Overall, if you think you may need a roof replacement in the next 10 years or do, get an expert’s opinion before considering solar panel installation.
There are some solar companies that offer roofing services, but generally, reroofing is going to be done prior to or right around the time of your new solar installation. You’ll essentially get the new roof and solar panels all at once!
If you do need a new roof before going to solar energy, it’s a good idea to get it done.
When you add solar pannels to your roof after a roof replacement, the panels will make the lifetime of your roof last longer.
If you are getting a roof replacement with solar panels at the same time there is a good chance you won’t need to reroof again until you need a new solar system. That saves you money in the long run on maintenance and energy.
If you do have solar panels on your roof and you run into a need to replace your roof, post solar panel installation, you will have the added cost of labor to remove and replace the solar panels while the re-roofing process is taking place.
What About Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles may seem like the perfect alternative if you want to reroof and take advantage of alternative energy sources. These shingles would replace the roofing materials, which means you wouldn’t be spending money on those materials and solar panels.
While solar shingles are great for some people, they aren’t the perfect fit for every house.
Not many contractors offer them and if they do, they are typically very costly when compared to a regular rooftop solar panel. The technology is very expensive, and you’ll need to install a lot of them to cover the same area as a single solar panel.
Regardless, if you plan to replace your roof before you install the solar panels, solar shingles might be a potential option to consider.
There will be a higher cost upfront than there would be if you were to install a traditional roof and solar panels were put on top, however, so it is something to consider before moving forward.
Can You Use Solar Panels in Place of a Roof?
Solar panels are easy to place on top of an existing roof, but since your roof is made of more than just the part you see, it wouldn’t make sense to put them in as your actual roof.
Solar shingles can be used as an actual part of the roof while solar panels are used in addition to the whole roof.
Compared to installing a whole solar roof with shingles, solar panels take much less time to install. They also will cost less upfront, which is appealing to many people but doesn’t necessarily make them the best option.
It’s wise to learn about the different types of solar panels before going forward and understanding the cost and implications of each for your roof.
Getting a New Roof and Adding Solar Panels
If you are thinking about replacing the roof and adding solar panels, you will want to consider all of your options to make the best choice for your situation.
After all, you may have a roof that needs replacing and solar shingles may fit into your budget! Or you may be someone that doesn’t need a roof replacement, and it’s tiem to simply add solar panels.
Either way, we are here to help you on the road to alternative energy and a safe home.
Contact us today to get a free estimate and see how we can help with your transition to solar!
Time to replace your old, worn-out roof? Shingles, tile, and foam roofing systems, we do it all! Call the experts at AZ Roofing Works for a Free Roofing Estimate at (602) 283-3383 Today!
