Yes. If your roof is getting older, you can get a new roof when you go solar. For Massachusetts homes that qualify, the roof replacement is included with no upfront cost, so you don't have to choose between a new roof and solar.
A lot of Massachusetts homeowners want solar energy, then stop when they remember their roof is getting up there in age. That makes sense. Nobody wants solar panels on a roof that might need replacing in a few years.
The good news is you don't have to put off going solar, and you don't have to pay for a roof first. Here's how a new roof and solar work together, in plain English.
How does a new roof and solar work together?
It's one project done in the right order:
- Your roof gets checked. Its age, condition and how many good years it has left.
- If it needs replacing, the new roof goes on first. Mark works with a trusted local roofing contractor here in Massachusetts for the roof work.
- Then the solar installation happens on a brand new roof that's built to last as long as the solar panel systems on top of it.
For homes that qualify, there's no upfront cost for the new roof. You get a roof and solar system in one project instead of two separate jobs.
Should you replace your roof first before adding solar?
If your roof is near the end of its life, yes. Most solar panels typically last 25 years or more.
An aging roof won't keep up. When an old roof gives out under the panels, a crew has to remove and reinstall the panels before anyone can replace the roof. That adds time, extra cost and a stretch with no solar power.
A simple rule of thumb: if your shingle roof is around 15 years or older, or has fewer than about 10 good years left, replace the roof before installing solar panels.
Signs your existing roof needs replacing before solar panel installation
- Curling, cracked or missing asphalt shingles
- Lots of granules in your gutters
- Water stains in the attic or on ceilings
- Soft or sagging spots
- A roof repair you've had to do more than once
- A solar installer told you your roof isn't ready for solar
Massachusetts winters are hard on a roof. Freeze and thaw cycles, heavy snow, ice dams and nor'easters all cut into how long a roof lasts in Massachusetts.
If your existing roof is newer and in good shape, you probably don't need a new one. You can go solar on the roof you have.
Does your roof need replacing?
Tell Mark about your roof. He'll tell you if your home qualifies for a new roof when you go solar, with no upfront cost.
Talk to MarkWhy do solar companies include roof replacement?
Because the roof is what holds up the whole solar system. Solar companies want the system on your roof to work for decades, and that only happens on a roof that can support solar panels for that long.
Including a new roof also keeps the project simple: one plan, the right order and no surprises later. It's one of the main reasons solar companies include new roofs for homes that need them.
What happens if you install solar on an old roof?
Usually, you end up paying for the same work twice.
If the roof needs replacing a few years after solar panel installation, the panels have to come off first, then go back on. The cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels can run several thousand dollars, on top of the roof itself, and needing a new roof after solar can also leave you without solar power for a while.
The same goes for existing solar panels on a roof that's wearing out. If you already have panels and the roof needs work, plan the roof work and the panel removal together.
Do solar panels damage a new roof?
Not when they're put on the right way. The mounts are attached into the roof framing and sealed with flashing, so water stays out.
Most leaks come from rushed work or from putting panels on a roof that was already worn out. So solar panels don't damage your roof when the work is done right. They even shield the part of the roof they cover from sun, wind and weather.
Is a solar roof the same as a roof with solar panels?
Not quite. A solar roof usually means solar shingles or solar tiles, where the solar products are built right into the roof. That's sometimes called roof-integrated solar.
Most homes in Massachusetts go with traditional solar instead: regular solar panels mounted on top of a new asphalt shingle roof. It's the most common type of residential solar, and it's simple to work on later.
The type of roof matters too. Asphalt shingles and standing seam metal are the best roofs for solar panels in Massachusetts, while slate and wood shakes are trickier.
Does a new roof change your solar system size or net metering?
Your system size depends on how much electricity you use and how much roof area you have facing the sun. A new roof doesn't shrink that, and it can make the whole roof area usable for panels.
Net metering works the same either way. When your panels make more power than you use, the extra goes back to the grid and you get credit on your bill.
What about Massachusetts snow and ice dams?
Solar panels handle Massachusetts winters, and a new roof under them makes the whole setup stronger. Snow tends to slide off panels once the sun hits them.
And when it comes to solar panels and ice dams, the panels aren't the cause. Ice dams come from heat escaping into the attic.
Considering solar? What to ask your solar provider
You've probably seen ads for a new roof with solar. Many are real, and roof replacement and solar installation together is common. Before you sign, ask your solar provider:
- Does my roof actually need replacing, based on a real look at it?
- Will you replace the full roof, or just the part the panels cover?
- Who does the roof work, and who handles the solar panel installation?
- What's the order of the work and a rough timeline?
- Is there any upfront cost for the roof?
A good solar panel installation company will answer every question clearly. If anything's fuzzy, slow down and ask again.
Want to know if your home qualifies?
Tell Mark about your roof. He'll tell you if a new roof should be part of your solar project, with no upfront cost.
Talk to MarkFAQs About Getting a New Roof With Solar
Can I get a new roof with solar panels in Massachusetts?
Yes. For Massachusetts homes that qualify, a new roof can be included when you go solar, with no upfront cost. The roof replacement happens first, then the solar panels go on top.
Should I replace my roof first before adding solar?
If your roof is around 15 years or older, or has fewer than about 10 good years left, yes. Replacing the roof first means you won't have to remove and reinstall the panels later.
Is a solar roof the same as a roof with solar panels?
Not quite. A solar roof usually means solar shingles or solar tiles built into the roof itself. Most Massachusetts homes go with traditional solar panels mounted on top of a regular shingle roof.
Are those new roof with solar ads real?
Many are. Solar companies really do include roof replacement for homes that need it. Ask your solar provider exactly what's included, who does the roof work and the order of the project before you sign.
About Mark Featherstone
Mark has been in solar for over 12 years, working at some of the biggest solar companies in the country, before co-founding Your World Solutions. His goal is simple: help homeowners get into solar deals that actually work for them, and make sure they understand every part of it before they sign.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Every home and roof is different, and roof condition, timelines, costs and what's included vary by home and aren't guaranteed. No upfront cost applies to homes that qualify. Have a qualified roofer inspect your roof before making a decision.