Can Solar Panels Make Your Roof Last Longer?

December 17, 2024

Summary

Solar panels can reduce your home’s annual carbon footprint by as much as what’s produced by burning thousands of pounds of coal.
When installed correctly, solar panels can also lower your monthly energy bills without compromising the integrity of your roof.
Only a licensed professional with the right expertise should work on your roof and solar panels. Professional skill is needed to install elements like lag bolts and flashing correctly, since they keep your panels securely in place and prevent moisture from seeping in.
Solar panels can help extend the lifespan of your roof by blocking UV rays and reducing exposure to heat and the sun. They may also effectively shield your roof from weather damage related to snow, ice, hail, and falling debris.
Applying Roof Maxx before installing solar panels can add up to five years to the lifespan of your roof. This treatment process makes shingles more flexible and waterproof, which can also reduce maintenance costs.

Many homeowners think about installing solar panels so they can save money on their electricity bills—but how will they affect your roof? Will they cause damage, or could they actually help your roof last longer?

The short answer is: solar panels can protect your roof and extend its lifespan, but only if your roof is in good condition before the installation and the panels are correctly installed.

We’ve applied Roof Maxx treatments to extend the lifespan of asphalt shingle rooftops all over the US, so we know all about the impact different roofing projects can have—including solar panels. Read on as we show you how solar panels interact with your roof and how you can get the full benefits of this technology.

Do Solar Panels Damage My Roof?

When professionally installed, solar panels shouldn’t damage your roof. The key is to make sure your roof is structurally sound before installation—and work with a qualified contractor who knows how to anchor panels securely without compromising your roof’s integrity.

Follow those principles and your home should be just fine. Here’s why solar panels won’t damage your roof (and might even help protect it):

Structural Reinforcement: The installation process involves anchoring panels with durable lag bolts. The lag bolts will need to be drilled into your roof—but don’t worry! These bolts are designed to hold up against extreme weather and hold your solar panels in place securely so they won’t cause damage.
Proper Sealing Prevents Leaks: Licensed contractors use flashing—a moisture-resistant barrier—to seal the mounting points for the lag bolts after they’ve been installed. This prevents water from seeping into the roof structure.

Make Sure Your Roof Is in Good Condition Before the Installation

Before you have solar panels installed, it’s critical to make sure your roof is in good shape. If the roof needs to be replaced or repaired in just a few years after your solar panels are installed, the panels will need to come off as well. This adds to the complexity of the repairs or roof replacement, and can drive up the costs.

If your roof has plenty of lifespan left, though, you’ll have nothing to worry about. That’s why it’s important to check the condition of your roof—and treat or upgrade it before you start. We’ll show you how to make your shingles last longer with Roof Maxx later on in this article.

How Do Solar Panels Make Your Roof Last Longer?

Solar panels can act as a protective barrier for your roof, shielding it from the elements and reducing wear and tear. Here’s how:

UV Protection for Shingles

One of the primary causes of roof aging is exposure to harmful UV rays. Over time, sunlight can dry out shingles, causing them to crack and lose their protective granules. Solar panels absorb sunlight that would otherwise hit your shingles, reducing UV damage and preserving their integrity.

Cooling Effect

Solar panels create a gap between the roof and the panels themselves, allowing air to flow through. This air circulation reduces the temperature of your roof by an average of 5 degrees. By keeping your shingles cooler, solar panels can help slow deterioration caused by heat exposure. And that’s not all—they also help hold heat in at night, which makes your building more energy efficient 24/7.

Weather Protection

Solar panels shield your roof from direct contact with harsh weather conditions like snow, ice, hail, and debris. By taking the brunt of these elements, the panels prevent damage to your shingles and extend your roof’s lifespan.

Preparing Your Roof for Solar Panels

Before installing solar panels, it’s crucial to ensure your roof is ready to support them. Here are some key steps to take:

Inspect Your Roof’s Condition

Like we said above, it’s vital to have a professional roofer inspect your shingles, flashing, and overall structure before you have solar panels installed. This inspection will identify any vulnerabilities that need addressing before panels are installed.

Apply a Roof Maxx Treatment

If your roof has asphalt shingles, consider a Roof Maxx treatment to rejuvenate and strengthen them. Roof Maxx uses a plant-based formula to restore flexibility by replacing the natural oils your shingles lose over time. This prevents granule loss and makes them more resistant to the elements, which helps them last longer once your solar panels have been installed.

Benefits of Roof Maxx:

Adds up to five years to your roof’s lifespan per application (up to 15 years with repeat treatments)
Reduces maintenance costs by preventing premature shingle deterioration.
Costs up to 80% less than roof replacement, which saves you money before installing panels.

Prepare Your Roof for Solar Panels with Roof Maxx

Solar panels, when installed correctly, can extend your roof’s life by protecting it from UV rays, heat, and weather damage. Proper preparation—including roof inspections and Roof Maxx treatments—can restore your roof’s condition before your panels are installed and ensure that it will last after the installation.

When you take steps to proactively maintain your roof, you can maximize its lifespan and set yourself up to enjoy the long-term benefits of solar energy. Give your roof the care it needs before going solar—find a Roof Maxx dealer near you today to schedule a treatment.

Five Year Transferable Warranty

With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.