If your roof is around 15 years old or older, or has fewer than about 10 good years left, replace it before installing solar panels. In Massachusetts, you can often do the roof replacement and solar installation in one project, and for homes that qualify, the new roof comes with no upfront cost.
This is one of the first questions Massachusetts homeowners ask when they start considering solar. It's a smart one, and it's worth settling before you sign anything.
Solar panels typically stay on your roof for 25 years or more, making clean energy the whole time. So before you go solar, it's worth asking whether the roof under them is built to last that long too.
Why does roof age matter for solar?
Solar panel systems are built for the long haul. An aging roof isn't. A shingle roof with only a few good years left will wear out long before the panels do.
When that happens, a solar installer has to remove and reinstall the panels so a roofing contractor can replace the roof. That's true for existing solar panels too, if you already have a system on your roof.
Needing a new roof after installing solar panels means the cost of removing and reinstalling solar panels, extra time and a stretch with no solar power. Starting with a solid roof skips all of that, and the cost savings add up over the life of your residential solar system.
How old is too old for a roof before solar?
A simple rule of thumb for Massachusetts homes:
- Under 10 years old: usually fine for solar if it's in good shape
- 10 to 15 years old: worth having a roofer take a look
- 15 years or older: usually worth replacing before solar goes up
Age isn't the only factor. The type of asphalt shingles, how well the attic is vented and how many hard winters it has seen all affect how long a roof lasts in Massachusetts.
An old roof may look fine from the street and still need work up close. A professional roof inspection tells you what you're really working with, and whether your roof may need work in the next few years.
Signs your roof should be replaced before solar
- Curling, cracked or missing shingles
- Lots of granules in your gutters
- Water stains on ceilings or in the attic
- Soft or sagging spots on the roof
- Moss or dark streaks that keep coming back
- You've already needed a roof repair for leaks more than once
If you're seeing a few of these, your roof is likely telling you it's time. You may need a new roof before adding solar, and that's normal for a lot of older Massachusetts homes.
Can you put solar panels on an old roof?
Technically, yes. But many solar companies won't install solar on a roof that needs replacing soon, and it's rarely a good idea.
An older roof is more likely to leak, and fixing a leak with a system on your roof is harder than fixing one on an open roof.
On top of that, the cost to remove and reinstall the panels later can wipe out some of what you save with rooftop solar. That's a big reason solar companies include new roofs for homes that need them.
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 MarkWhat if my roof is newer?
Then you're in great shape. A newer roof in good condition can support solar panels without being replaced, and you can go solar on your existing roof. A new roof wouldn't change your system size or net metering anyway, since those depend on your electric use and roof area.
And solar panels don't damage your roof when they're put on right. They can even help by shielding the shingles underneath from sun and weather.
Replacing your roof and going solar at the same time
If you need a new roof and solar, doing both together is usually the easiest path. The roofing contractor handles the roof work first, then the solar installer starts installing the panels right after.
Most homes with solar in Massachusetts use traditional solar panels on top of asphalt shingles, not solar shingles or solar tiles. That keeps replacing a roof later simple.
It's also why the usual advice is to replace your roof first, then add panels. When you're ready, ask your solar provider whether they'll do the full roof or just the section the panels cover.
One project, one plan and one roof and solar system that's ready for the next few decades. Mark works with a trusted local roofing partner, so the roof goes on first and the solar goes up second, without you juggling two companies.
For Massachusetts homes that qualify, you can get a new roof with solar with no upfront cost.
Not sure if your roof is ready for solar?
Tell Mark about your roof. He'll help you figure out if it should be replaced first.
Talk to MarkFAQs About Replacing Your Roof Before Solar
How old is too old for a roof before solar?
There's no exact cutoff, but a shingle roof that's around 15 years or older, or one with less than about 10 good years left, is usually worth replacing before solar goes up.
Can you put solar panels on an old roof?
You can, but it often isn't a good idea. If the roof needs replacing a few years later, a crew has to remove and reinstall the panels. Many solar companies won't put panels on a roof that's near the end of its life.
Who decides if my roof needs replacing?
A qualified roofer should look at it in person. Mark works with a trusted local roofing partner in Massachusetts who can check your roof's condition.
Do I have to pay for the new roof upfront?
Not for homes that qualify. A new roof can be included when you go solar, with no upfront cost, and the roof replacement happens before the solar installation.
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.