North Carolina is one of the most solar friendly states. In fact, we’re ranked third in solar capacity installed, behind only California and Texas. This is in part because of the benefits solar power brings and the fact that the state offers many rebates and tax incentive separate from any offered by the U.S. government. However, because solar panels most often go on the roof, you want to make sure that your roof is in good shape.
Roof Age Matters
If you have a roof that’s more than about eight years old, you should consider a roof replacement. If not of the whole roof, at least on the parts of your roof where the panels will be installed. The average life of a roof is about 20-25 years and solar panels last about that long as well. If your roof is nearing a need for replacement, you’ll end up needing to remove and reinstall them after your roof replacement. It is not a simple process. Your roofer won’t remove them. That means you’ll have to coordinate with the solar company to come and remove them. Then they must be safely stored. Once your roofer replaces your roof, the solar company has to reinstall your panels. Not only does that cost money, but you also lose out on all the solar generation during that time.
The Age of Your Home Matters Too
Construction methods and code changes over time. And, because homeowners sometimes make changes or build their own homes, they’re not always to code. It’s a good idea to check with your roofing contractor that your home’s roof will support the weight of the solar panels.
Have a Roofing Inspection Before & After Your Solar Panel Installation
Even if your roof is new, you should consider having a roofing inspection prior to installing solar panels. Your roofing company can make sure that your roof is ready for the solar installation company. Before the solar installers come is the best time to address any issues. And, although most solar companies are professionals, mistakes can happen. In order to ensure that there is no roof damage, ask your roofer if they will come back after installation to provide the peace of mind that you’ll not experience a roof leak the next big storm.
Call Cooley Roofing for Your Roofing Inspection
If you are considering solar panels for your roof, trust the Cooley Roofing team to provide you with a complete roofing inspection and our honest opinion about the state of your roof. When you choose to replace your roof before the solar panel installation with Cooley Roofing, we’ll include one free roofing inspection after the panel installation (within one year). If you call us out for a pre-installation inspection and we handle that for you, we’ll re-inspect at no charge one time within the first year after the panels are installed too! Call us today at (336) 766-6488 or fill out our contact form to schedule your roof inspection.
