A growing number of homeowners are embracing solar energy in their communities. They do so to reduce their carbon footprint and cut electricity costs, but questions quickly arise about how solar panels affect their underlying roofing. Going solar can be a wise long-term investment. Still, the panels’ impact on your roof’s useful life depends on several factors, including regular maintenance, the type of roof materials used, and the installation practices employed. Keep reading to learn how solar panels can hinder or help your roof’s lifespan, how you can protect your investment, and what you need to know before you install solar panels.
The Basics: How Solar Panels Are Installed on a Roof
Solar panels are usually installed directly on a roof structure using mounting systems to secure them in place. Depending on what kind of roof your home has, the mounting systems can vary. Asphalt shingle roofs typically have racks anchored with bolts; these are drilled into the home’s rafters and sealed with flashing to prevent leaks. Tile roofs may need to be removed and new tiles installed around the anchor points.
A flat roof typically requires a ballast system to avoid the primary concern, penetration. Sloped roofs heighten this concern. Poor-quality flashing or improper sealing can allow moisture to seep into the roofing layers. The potential results are wood rot, mold, and leaks over time. When correctly installed, solar panels can coexist in harmony with a home’s roof rather than working against it.
How Solar Panels Can Extend Your Roof’s Longevity
It might seem counterintuitive, but solar panels can help your roof last longer. This can happen in several ways.
Protection From the Elements
Solar panels can serve as a physical shield, protecting part of your home beneath the roof from rain, direct sunlight, snow, and wind. This can be especially helpful for regions with frequent hailstorms or harsh UV exposure. Without the constant exposure to weather, roofing materials underneath panels degrade more slowly compared to exposed areas. The additional protection might reduce cracking, fading, and the breakdown of membrane roofing or asphalt shingles.
Temperature Regulation
If solar panels shade your roof, rooftop temperatures might be 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit lower. This type of cooling effect can reduce thermal contraction and expansion, which are among the most significant contributors to chronic roof wear. Lower temperatures on your roof also ease the strain on HVAC units or attic ventilation systems, providing an indirect health benefit to other building systems.
Reduced Maintenance in Covered Areas
The areas of your roof directly beneath solar panels will typically need less frequent maintenance. Debris, leaves, and organic growth like algae or moss aren’t as likely to accumulate in shaded spaces. This is particularly helpful for homes in humid or wooded environments.
Risks to a Roof’s Longevity From Solar Panel Installations
Solar panel installation provides clear benefits to your roof’s lifespan, but there are potential risks to the waterproofing and structural integrity of your home’s roof.
Damage From Poor Installation
Improper installation is the most significant risk to a roof’s useful life. If the flashing or mounting brackets aren’t sealed properly, water molecules can penetrate the roof in sufficient volume to cause rot or leaks. Over time, this damage may compromise a roofing system and shorten its lifespan. This is why you need to hire an experienced and licensed solar installer who understands both roofing construction and solar energy systems.
Added Weight and Stress
Mounting systems and wiring add weight to the roof alongside the solar panels themselves. Modern roofs are usually constructed to support extra loads, but an older structure might not be up to the task. If you have a roof nearing the end of its predicted lifespan or it’s not structurally sound, installing solar panels may accelerate wear and tear. Structural issues could manifest. Have a pre-installation roof inspection conducted to identify any weaknesses before proceeding.
Hindrance to Future Roof Repairs
Solar panels can complicate future roof replacement or maintenance. If a roof reaches the end of its lifecycle or develops a leak, panels must be removed initially and reinstalled later, adding cost and time to the process. Given this reason, many homeowners decide to reinforce or replace their roofing materials before installing solar panels, particularly for roofs that are over 15 years old.
Best Practices for Maximizing Roof Longevity With Solar Panels
If you want to harness the advantages of solar energy without compromising your roof’s health, follow these tips.
Evaluate the Roof’s Age Before Installation
If your current roof is over halfway through its predicted lifespan, replacing it before you add solar panels could be cost-effective. Many solar panel systems are designed to last 25 to 30 years. Ideally, your roof would align with this timeline, allowing you to prevent premature panel removal. Roughly speaking, asphalt shingles and flat membrane roofing last 15 to 25 years, metal roofing lasts 30 to 50 years, and tile roofing lasts 40 to 75 years.
Choose the Right Mounting System
Different mounting systems have unique impacts on the health of a roof. For instance, ballasted systems are non-penetrating; they’re effective for flat roofs. For a sloped roof, consider a mounting solution with high-caliber flashing and water-sealed anchors. Low-profile or railless mounting systems minimize the number of roof penetrations necessary and can reduce wind uplift.
Hire a Dual-Certified Contractor
Select companies have both solar and roofing certifications. These installers are familiar with the overlap between the systems and can make sure your roof stays protected. Always request reviews, references, and insurance information before selecting a contractor.
Integrated Solar Roofs: A New Direction
An alternative to conventional solar panels is installing an integrated solar roof. This system features solar cells integrated directly into the roofing material itself. Such systems reduce the risk of leaks by eliminating the need for separate panels and mounting brackets. This method offers the promise of harnessing solar energy in a seamless design that minimizes impact on residential roofing longevity. Unfortunately, integrated solar roofs are still comparatively expensive and not as widely available as conventional solar systems.
Balancing Solar Benefits With the Health of Your Roof
Solar panels can coexist with a long-lasting and healthy roof, but it takes proper planning and installation. In many circumstances, solar panels can extend a roof’s lifespan by protecting it from thermal stress and weather patterns. The key is ensuring your roof is in optimal condition.
That means utilizing experienced industry professionals for installation and maintenance, and planning how the two systems will interact over time. A thoughtful approach can let you enjoy peace of mind and clean energy, knowing your roof will last a long time in conjunction with a solar investment.
Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations offers roofing inspections, repairs, and replacements to residents of Charlotte and the surrounding areas of North and South Carolina. We also provide gutter services, skylight installation, storm damage, and metal roofing.
Contact Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations to discuss your concerns or issues with solar panels impacting the longevity of your home’s roof.
