Re-Roofing and Solar: Time It Once, Pay Once
The most expensive roof mistake in solar is installing panels on shingles that need replacing in five years. Time it once.
Solar panels last 25–30 years. Asphalt shingles often last 15–25. If those clocks are out of sync, you can end up paying to remove and reinstall your whole array just to replace the roof under it — a job called a detach & reset.
The rule of thumb
If your roof has less than ~10 years of life left, replace it before or at the same time as going solar. If it’s newer, you’re clear to install on it directly.
Why doing both together is best
- One mobilization, one permit window — less disruption.
- No future detach & reset — you avoid paying labor twice.
- Proper flashing the first time — the roof and the array are designed together, with the right mounts and extra waterproofing under the array.
How iSolar handles it
Our sister company, Three Rivers Contracting (3riversmn.com), does the roofing, and iSolar does the solar — coordinated as one project, one schedule, one point of contact. When a roof already has panels and needs work, we handle the detach & reset end to end so there’s no finger-pointing between a roofer and a solar company.
Frequently asked.
Can't I just put solar on my old roof and deal with it later?
You can, but replacing the roof later means paying to remove and reinstall the array — often thousands. Re-roofing first avoids that.
Do you do the roofing too?
Through our sister company Three Rivers Contracting, yes — so roofing and solar are coordinated as a single project. See detach & reset.
Have a question we haven't covered?
Talk to a local iSolar expert — free, no pressure. Call (651) 565-1140.