Do the roof first. Then the panels.
Panels last 25–30 years. A tired shingle roof lasts 5. Removing and re-flashing an array to re-roof underneath costs $3–7k. A solar-ready roof avoids all of it.
25-year synthetic under solar zones — not 15-year felt. Panels shade heat, so premature UV isn't the killer; sub-panel condensation is. Synthetic breathes and outlasts the array.
We mark rafter locations on paper AND on the deck so your solar installer lags into structure every time — no toenailed truss chords, no split rafters.
Flashings and vents relocated OUT of the future array footprint so the solar crew doesn't cut them, re-route them, or leak-test them a year later.
Why the sequence matters.
- Solar removal + reinstall: $3,000–$7,000
- Panel warranty voided if solar company didn't remove them
- 2–4 week outage of solar production
- Original penetrations rarely line up with new shingle rows — re-flashing risk
- One roof, one solar install — 25+ years of alignment
- Solar company lags into pre-marked structure, faster install
- NO shading conflicts with old vents — better production
- Both warranties intact and separate
Our solar-ready spec.
Chalk-lined and photographed for your solar installer before we cover the deck.
We coordinate with your solar company on where the DC/AC runs will exit the attic.
Hail-rated shingle so a $30k panel array isn't sitting on a 3-tab that folds in a monsoon storm.
Ridge and soffit vents relocated to the north/east eaves so shaded zones don't overheat the attic.
3/4-inch OSB in the solar footprint on older 1/2-inch decks — matches PV racking load.
We schedule the tear-off so your solar interconnect date isn't delayed. One project, not two.
What NM solar-curious homeowners ask us.
If it's a 30-year architectural shingle in good shape, no — we'll say so on the inspection. If it's a 3-tab or the felt is already brittle, doing solar on top locks in an expensive removal-reinstall later.
Most don't — they subcontract. That's fine, but the two crews rarely coordinate on flashing or venting. When we roof first, we hand your solar company a paper map of every rafter.
As short as one week. We deliver the rafter map + as-built photos digitally. Your solar EPC uses them for the structural stamp.
No. Solar is its own trade. We stay in our lane (independent inspector roofing) and refer to two local NM solar EPCs we trust.
We'll tell you honestly if it needs replacement or if you can go straight to panels.
One roof, one solar install — done right the first time.
Book the free on-site inspection, or send a photo and we'll tell you what to do next. No sales pitch — we don't install roofs.