The demand for solar energy is skyrocketing.
Between 2016 and 2023, the residential solar market grew a whopping 262%.
Incentives for homeowners to go solar are growing, too. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides homeowners with a 30% tax credit for new solar installations through 2032, and additional savings may also be available through state tax credits or utility company rebates.
If you’ve considered solar energy for your home, now is the ideal time.
However, before installing solar panels, it’s important to understand how different types of roofing materials can impact the performance of solar systems and their potential ROI.
Using an unsuitable roofing material can negatively impact your solar panels' performance, efficiency, and longevity. Conversely, a roofing material well-suited for solar panels can enhance performance, extend the lifespan of the solar system, and increase ROI.
If you’re looking for the best roof for solar panels, here are the top three things to look for.
- Best Roof for Solar Panels: Long-Lasting and Durable
- Best Roof for Solar Panels: High Load-Bearing Capacity and Lightweight
- Best Roof for Solar Panels: Superior Solar Reflectivity
Best Roof for Solar Panels: Long-Lasting and Durable
Solar panels have an average lifespan of 25 years. If your roof needs replacement within that time frame, it’s best to replace the existing roof with a long-lasting and durable roofing material before installing solar panels. This will eliminate the expense and logistical challenges of removing and reinstalling the panels to accommodate a roof replacement.
Replacing a roof with solar panels already installed involves significant expenses and complications. The process requires removing the panels, performing the roofing work, and then reinstalling the panels, which can be both time-consuming and costly.
This can add thousands of dollars to the overall cost of your solar installation project since the average cost to remove and reinstall a solar system can range from $3,000 to $8,000.
This is a common expense when solar panels are installed over asphalt shingles, which need to be replaced as often as every 12 years.
To avoid this expense and headache, the roofing material on which the solar panels are installed should have a lifespan that matches or exceeds that of the solar panels.
For instance, metal roofs can last 40-70 years, and their lifespan aligns well with that of solar panels.
Here’s a comparison of the average lifespan of the most common roofing materials.
Best Roof for Solar Panels: High Load-Bearing Capacity and Lightweight
When considering the installation of solar panels, the type of roof you have plays a crucial role.
Solar panels and their mounting systems add significant weight to the roof. On average, solar panels weigh around 40 pounds each, and most homes require at least 20 panels. That’s 800 pounds of additional weight being loaded upon the existing roof.
The best roof for solar should be lightweight and have a high load-bearing capacity to support the combined weight of the solar panels and mounting hardware.
Load-bearing capacity refers to the maximum weight that a roof structure can safely support. This includes not only the weight of the roofing materials and solar panels, but also additional loads such as snow, ice, and maintenance personnel. Ensuring your roof has a high load-bearing capacity is crucial to prevent structural damage or failure.
Since different roofing materials have varying weights and load-bearing capacities, here’s how common roofing materials weigh in:
Asphalt shingles weigh between 2.5 to 4 pounds per square foot and may require additional reinforcement to support solar panels.
Clay tiles weigh between 8 to 12 pounds per square foot. While they have a high load-bearing capacity, their weight can significantly stress the structure.
Concrete tiles weigh between 9 to 12 pounds per square foot. Like clay tiles, they are heavy and may not be ideal without structural reinforcement.
Wood shingles and shakes weigh between 2.5 to 4 pounds per square foot. They are lightweight but may not be as durable or long-lasting as other materials.
Metal roofs weigh between 1.4 to 1.6 pounds per square foot and are particularly well-suited for solar panel installations for several reasons.
- Metal roofs are lightweight yet strong enough to support the weight of solar panels without needing significant structural reinforcement.
- They place less stress on the building structure, providing long-term stability and efficiency for the solar panel system.
Best Roof for Solar Panels: High Solar Reflectivity
Solar panels perform optimally at around 77°F. However, their efficiency decreases by about 0.45% for every degree increase above this temperature.
This means that as temperatures rise, the energy output of your solar panels can decrease significantly, impacting your overall energy savings. High temperatures can cause thermal stress on solar panels, leading to potential damage and a shorter lifespan.
Choosing a roofing material with high solar reflectivity is crucial for maximizing the efficiency and lifespan of your solar panels.
A reflective roof helps maintain optimal temperatures, reduce thermal stress, and enhance overall energy output. Reducing the roof's temperature not only benefits solar panels, but also reduces the heat load on your home’s HVAC system and can help lower cooling costs.
For example, metal roofs are highly reflective and can reduce the roof’s surface temperature by up to 55°F.
Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, absorb heat like a sponge and reach temperatures as high as 150°F in direct sunlight.
Sun-Powered Synergy: Solar Panels and DECRA Metal Roofing
When it comes to the best type of roof to pair with solar, metal roofing is tough to beat.
The superior durability, longevity, lightweight load-bearing capacity, and reflective properties of metal roofing make it one of the most solar-compatible roofing materials available.
The benefits of metal roofing extend far beyond solar compatibility, though.
As one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials available, it can slash cooling costs by up to 40% to amplify the energy savings achieved through solar power generation.
Additional benefits of metal roofing include:
Insurance discounts: Metal roofs qualify for insurance discounts in most states. For instance, in Texas, metal roofing can reduce homeowner's insurance premiums by up to 35%.
Increased home value: A metal roof can increase home value by up to 6%.
Weather-resistant roofing: Metal roofs are well-known as one of the strongest roofing materials. They are engineered to withstand nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer, including hurricane-force winds, hail, and fire.
But don’t worry—metal roofing's industrial strength doesn’t come with industrial aesthetics.
From classic clay tile roofs to rustic cedar shake, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing products provide the strength of steel without compromising on style.
As the original manufacturer of stone-coated metal roofing since 1957, DECRA Metal Roofing has set the gold standard for durable and long-lasting roofing. Manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility in California, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing products have elegantly endured the test of time.
Ready to see and feel the DECRA difference? Request a complimentary sample today.
Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in September 2023, but has been updated with relevant information.
