Solar installers sell panels. Roofers sell roofs. Neither one is telling you if your roof will still be there in 25 years when the panels are. I inspect specifically for PV-readiness — remaining life, structural capacity, and attachment plan — before you sign the solar contract.
Remaining service life estimate (must exceed 20 years)
Structural capacity for panel weight + wind uplift
Rafter location and spacing map for attachment points
Flashing spec for penetration waterproofing
Ventilation impact of panel shading
Go/no-go recommendation with reasoning
Full roof walk with remaining-life assessment. Attic inspection for rafter size, spacing, and structural condition. Attachment-point map with rafter locations documented. Flashing-spec recommendation for PV penetrations (Quick Mount, EcoFasten, etc.). Written PV-readiness report with go/no-go and reasoning.
Homeowners about to sign a solar contract who want an independent second opinion. Owners quoted a reroof by the solar installer who want to verify the recommendation. Homes with roofs over 10 years old considering PV. Buyers of homes with existing PV who need to know what they're inheriting.
PV-Readiness Walk (Verbal + Photos) — $149 Standard Written PV Report — $349 Detailed w/ Attachment Map — $649 Commercial / Large System — $1,500+ Most residential PV-readiness inspections are $349–$649. Cheapest way to avoid the $3k–$8k panel-remove-and-reset trap.
PV panels last 25–30 years. If your roof has less than 20 years of remaining life, you'll pay $3,000–$8,000 to detach and reset the array when you reroof. That's the single most expensive mistake in NM residential solar.
Substrate delamination, active leaks, insufficient structural capacity for panel + ballast weight, or less than 15 years remaining life on the current membrane. I document all four and give you a go/no-go with reasoning.
Yes. The report includes attachment-point spec (rafter locations, flashing type, fastener size) that the PV installer can build the racking plan against. Most installers welcome it — it protects them too.
Signed 2/3/5-year cert for lenders & insurers.
FLIR moisture scan + core verification.
Vigas, canales, parapet caps — NM specialty.
Manufacturer + workmanship defect audit.
I've watched too many neighbors sign contracts they didn't understand for roofs they didn't need. That stops with a written report they own.