Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular among Lancaster County homeowners, and for good reason. Pennsylvania’s solar incentives and our region’s decent sun exposure make it an attractive investment. At Brubaker Roofing, we’re seeing more homeowners ask about solar panels, but many don’t realize how significantly solar installation can affect their roofing system.
Installing solar panels isn’t just about energy savings; it’s a decision that will impact your roof for the next 25-30 years. Understanding how solar and roofing systems work together can help you make informed decisions that protect both investments.
The Growing Solar Trend in Lancaster County
Lancaster County has embraced solar energy more than many areas in Pennsylvania, with homeowners attracted by federal tax credits, state incentives, and long-term energy savings. However, solar panels represent a major commitment that affects your roof’s accessibility, maintenance requirements, and future repair needs.
Many homeowners rush into solar installation without considering their roof’s current condition or how the panels will affect future roofing work. This can lead to expensive complications down the road, especially if your roof needs replacement shortly after solar installation.
As experienced Lancaster roofing professionals, we’ve worked with numerous homeowners to coordinate solar and roofing projects. The key is planning both systems together rather than treating them as separate decisions.
Roof Assessment Before Solar Installation
Your roof’s age and condition are critical factors in solar planning. Installing solar panels on a roof that will need replacement within 10 years creates a costly situation where you’ll have to pay for panel removal and reinstallation when you replace the roof.
Most solar panels are designed to last 25-30 years, so ideally, your roof should have a similar remaining lifespan. If your roof is more than 15 years old, it’s usually wise to replace it before installing solar panels, even if it’s not currently leaking.
Solar panels also add weight and create wind loads that your roof structure must handle. While most residential roofs can support solar installations, older homes or those with structural issues may need reinforcement before panels can be safely installed.
The type of roofing material matters too. Some materials work better with solar mounting systems than others, affecting both the installation cost and long-term performance of both systems.
How Solar Installation Affects Your Roof
Every solar panel mounting system requires penetrations through your roof surface to secure the panels. These penetration points must be properly sealed and flashed to prevent leaks, and they represent potential failure points that require ongoing attention.
Solar installation can void or modify your existing roof warranty, depending on who does the work and how it’s performed. Many roofing warranties specifically exclude damage caused by solar installations, leaving you without coverage for problems related to the panels.
Solar panels also change how water flows across your roof surface. They can create areas where debris accumulates and alter drainage patterns, potentially causing problems with gutters and water management systems.
The panels themselves affect your roof’s ventilation by covering portions of the surface and potentially blocking airflow. This can impact attic temperatures and moisture control, especially important in Lancaster’s humid climate.
Best Roofing Materials for Solar Panel Installation
Asphalt shingles work well with most solar mounting systems and are cost-effective for homeowners planning solar installation. Architectural shingles provide better durability than 3-tab shingles and handle the mounting hardware better over time.
Metal roofing is increasingly popular for solar installations because it’s durable, long-lasting, and some mounting systems can attach without roof penetrations. Standing seam metal roofs are particularly well-suited for solar panels and can last as long as the panels themselves.
Slate and tile roofs present challenges for solar installation due to their fragility and the difficulty of creating secure mounting points. These installations typically cost more and require specialized expertise to avoid damaging the roofing materials.
When choosing roofing materials with solar in mind, consider matching the lifespan of both systems. It makes little sense to install 30-year solar panels on a roof that will need replacement in 15 years.
Maintenance and Repair Considerations
Solar panels make routine roof maintenance more complex and expensive. Cleaning gutters, inspecting flashing, and performing minor repairs often requires working around or temporarily removing panels, increasing labor costs significantly.
If your roof develops leaks or needs repairs under the solar array, you’ll likely need to pay for panel removal and reinstallation in addition to the roofing work itself. This can turn a simple repair into a major expense.
Insurance considerations also become more complex with solar panels. Some insurers require additional coverage for the panels themselves, and claims involving both roofing and solar systems can be complicated to resolve.
Planning for eventual roof replacement is crucial when you have solar panels. You’ll need to coordinate with both roofing contractors and solar installers, and the timing becomes more critical since you can’t wait until your roof is leaking to begin the replacement process.
Professional Assessment for Solar and Roofing
The best solar installations begin with proper roofing assessment and planning. At Brubaker Roofing, we help homeowners evaluate their roof’s suitability for solar panels and coordinate with reputable solar installers to ensure both systems work together effectively.
We can assess your roof’s remaining lifespan, structural capacity, and compatibility with different solar mounting systems. If roof work is needed before solar installation, we can complete it with solar-friendly materials and techniques that will support your future energy goals.
Working with experienced roofing professionals during your solar planning process helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures both your roof and solar investment perform optimally for decades. We understand how these systems interact and can help you make decisions that protect both investments.
Don’t let poor planning compromise either your roof or your solar investment. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you prepare your roof for solar installation or address any roofing concerns related to existing solar panels.
With over three decades of experience protecting homes in Lancaster County, we possess the expertise to help you navigate the intersection of roofing and solar technology successfully.
