You’ve done the math on savings, maybe even looked into a battery. But before any of that matters, there’s a more basic question: can your roof actually handle a solar system, and is now the right time to install one?
Age matters more than looks
A roof can look perfectly fine and still be the wrong foundation for solar. Panels are typically warrantied for 25 years, and installers generally recommend at least 15–20 years of remaining roof life before mounting a system on it — otherwise you’re paying to remove and reinstall the panels when the roof eventually needs replacing underneath them. If your roof is already past the middle of its expected lifespan, it’s worth having it inspected before, not after, the panels go up.
Type and orientation both play a role
Asphalt shingle roofs are the easiest and cheapest to work with, which is one reason solar has spread as fast as it has. Metal, tile, and flat roofs are all workable too, just with different mounting hardware and, sometimes, a different price tag. Orientation matters as well — a south-facing roof with few obstructions gets the most out of a system, but east- and west-facing roofs still produce plenty of usable power, just spread differently across the day.
If your roof needs work first
None of this rules a home out. If an inspection turns up a roof that’s nearing the end of its life, the fix is simply sequencing: replace the roof first, then install solar on top of the new one. It costs more upfront than doing solar alone, but it saves you from paying twice down the line, and many homeowners roll both projects into a single financing conversation rather than treating them separately.
Ready to see if your home qualifies?
Visit our Solar Benefits page to see how it all fits together, or if you know someone who’s been asking whether their roof is a good fit, send them our way and earn a reward when they sign up. See if you qualify.