So you’re thinking about going green? Maybe your utility rates are rising. Maybe you want to break free from your utility company and achieve energy independence. Or perhaps you just want a cleaner, greener world for your kids.
Whatever your reason, we’ll support you! We love solar. Our sister company, Convert Solar, has been installing solar for over a decade. But if you want a rooftop solar power system, you’ll need to prepare your roof. So what do you need to do?
First, we need to understand the solar panel lifespan.
Here’s the thing, rooftop solar is awesome. But once your solar system is installed, it will make all future roof work significantly harder.
If you needed a roof repair after a Virginia Beach storm, we would have to remove your panels temporarily. Then after we treat the problem, we would have to reinstall all those panels. That extra labor adds up.
It is much more economical to replace your roof before installing solar panels. So you are much less likely to need frequent roof repairs.
Solar panels have an industry standard production warranty of 80% by year 25. That means that you should expect your solar panels to operate at 80% of their original efficiency after 25 years. If that sounds complicated, don’t worry, Convert Solar has a whole article on solar panel lifespans.
What you need to know is that solar panels can last for over 25 years, while roofing systems typically last 20–30 years. So ideally, we would align these timelines so you don’t have to replace your roof 10 years into your solar power system.
Second, schedule a comprehensive roof assessment by a local and trusted roofing contractor in Virginia Beach.
Your roof inspector might recommend you either replace your roof now or wait until the end of your current roof’s lifespan. If you just got a new roof within the past few years, then they might clear you to go solar.
But not all roofs are good for solar panels. That’s why you need the professional assessment of a local roofing company in Virginia Beach. We inspect the age, condition, materials, and structural integrity of your roof. For example, your roof might not be able to support solar panels.
A solar power system will add weight. And the roof framing (especially if its an older home) might not be strong enough. It’s better to learn that now and not during the solar installation.
Asphalt shingles and metal roofs are great for solar panels. But slate, wood shake, or clay tiles are not ideal. You see, solar panels are supported on mounting hardware. Since most roofs are asphalt shingles, most mounting hardware is designed for those roofs. Installers can still work on those other roofs, but it requires special hardware and additional costs.
Third, check in with your local HOA.
Under Virginia law, an HOA cannot outright ban you from installing solar. The HOA can restrict placement, size, and the manner of installation. But the law says that these restrictions have to be reasonable and cannot impede the function or efficiency of the system. So the law gets a little blurry.
In short, you should tell your HOA that you want to go solar. You’ll most likely just have to fill out a few forms. If you don’t tell your HOA… then you are invoking their wrath! HOAs can turn otherwise simple projects into never-ending headaches.
Some HOAs don’t care what you do. Other HOAs are just looking for problems to obsess over. So our best advice is just to be upfront and honest with them.
What’s the next step after all that?
Once you get a roof inspection and clear the solar project with your HOA, you should schedule a solar site assessment from a trusted, local installer. This assessment will analyze your average energy consumption, your recent utility bills, and a whole lot more. Installers are essentially gathering the information they need to design the best possible solar system.
So if you’re ready for the future of energy, schedule a free roof inspection with us. Then a site assessment from our friends over at Convert Solar.