Time to read: 5 minutes
Date: December 15, 2022
Your roof is important when it comes to solar panels. This sounds obvious, but a lot of different things can happen with the roof of your home or business. When you begin exploring the idea of a solar powered system, you’ll probably find yourself wondering if your roof is ready for solar panels. Do you need to patch up your roof? Does any of it need to be replaced? The big question here is “what do you need to know about repairing your roof when you have solar panels?”.
We reached out to an expert who has worked with these questions on a daily basis for years. IES Texas Solar Sales Manager Brandon Rickett works to provide solar powered systems for Texans all over the Lone Star State. This article answers many of the common questions that Brandon receives from customers on a daily basis as well as other things that you need to know about your roof once solar panels have been installed.
What would a partial or full replacement of the roof mean for the warranty of the solar powered system?
This topic is a common concern both for Texans who already own a solar powered system or are interested in installing one. What would you need to do if your roof needed repairs or needed to be replaced in some areas? And what about your warranty?
Brandon: “When it’s time to get a new roof, working with the original solar installation company is important to maintain the warranty on the workmanship and manufacturer warranties that the system comes with. Working with the original contractor also ensures that the identical parts used in the original installation of the equipment can be reused or replaced without frustration of having to locate replacement parts. If only a partial roof replacement is needed, and the solar panels do not need to be removed, then there would be no change to the warranty of the system.”
This is, of course, a typical scenario. All solar installation contractors are different. IES Texas Solar has the best warranty and customer care in the business, and other solar energy providers may have a different warranty and process.
What sort of process do you go through when assessing the condition of a roof before installing solar panels?
IES Texas Solar has worked to give Texans solar power for years and is now a leader in the solar powered and renewable energy market, and for good reason; the processes they use are the most effective in the business, so when it comes to assessing your roof before installing panels they are as thorough as possible.
Brandon: “We identify the age of the roof through conversation with the customer. If the home is new, the roof is new. If the home is less than five years old, there is a good chance the roof is original. We try to capture as many details from the customer that relate to the existing roof as possible. During our sales process, our installation team will take several photos of the roof’s existing condition during our site survey and call out any glaring and obvious concerns. We want to make sure the roof is in good condition prior to installation as much as the customer.”
When someone is patching a roof that has solar panels on it, what should they do? What shouldn’t they do?
In all cases, it’s pretty clear that whenever you need to repair your roof once you have solar panels on it, you should contact your installation company before you do anything else.
Brandon: “Anytime anyone is accessing the roof where the solar panels are installed, it is advised to contact the original installation company. If there is an issue or potential issue with any part of the roof around where the solar panels are at, a good company will want to send out their technician to help diagnose & troubleshoot where the issue is coming from. There are wires on your roof that are connecting your solar powered system to our home’s electrical, and only certified electricians should be handling any of the parts that are installed. Don’t assume the roofing company knows how to handle solar panel related repairs as this could compromise your warranty.”
What are some common questions that customers ask about the roof in regards to solar panels?
- What is the best type of roof for solar? (this is mostly for new construction projects)
- How long do solar panels last in relation to the roof lifespan?
- What type of product is being used to attach the solar panels to my roof?
- What is the weight of the solar panel system on my roof, and will the roof be able to support it?
- Should I get my roof replaced before I get solar panels installed?
- Do solar panels protect the roof? (short answer, yes)
Concerns and questions? IES Texas Solar is here for you!
Whether it’s for rooftop solar panels, home standby generators, backup batteries (or all three) IES Texas Solar has the answers. Installing solar panels is the best way to reduce your electric bills, and when you pair them with backup batteries you could even eliminate them! You can even sell the extra power your solar panels generate back to your utility provider through solar buyback. No matter your needs, IES Texas Solar is here for you.
Don’t let having an older roof deter you from exploring solar powered systems for your home or business! You never know until you ask!
If you are considering switching to solar for your home or business, or if you have questions about your system, reach out to us by going to our website, iestxsolar.com, or by giving us a call at (855) 447-6527.
