Tempting though it may be to dive into the world of solar power if the cost estimates align with your expectations, there’s one more thing you need to consider: Your roof. They wear down over time and will need to be repaired or replaced. Something that gets more complicated (and more expensive) if solar panels have to be removed and reinstalled throughout the process.
In general, if your roof is 20 years old or more,or it has known issues you’ve been meaning to fix, you should take care of that before installing solar. A younger roof (around 10 to 20 years) should be okay for installation, but you can expect to pay a bit more once it inevitably needs replacing. The five to 10 years age range is more accommodating, but Consumer Affairs still recommends getting it inspected first to get an idea for how long it might hold up through the life of your solar system. Five years and younger, though, is the sweet spot (assuming there are no known roof issues).
Also consider the size and load-bearing capabilities of your roof. With individual panels weighing about 40 pounds each, and typically measuring roughly three feet by five feet, it can all add up quickly. You may need to consider ground panels or panels with higher wattage output if your roof is too small (under the 1,000 square foot average) or can’t handle hundreds of pounds of constant weight.
