Solar Panels in Austin Start With the Roof Underneath
Panels sit on your roof for many years. If the roof under them fails first, they have to come off. This page covers what to check before installing solar on an Austin home.
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Before you sign for solar
Find out the roof's age
Look for permits, receipts or the date on the last replacement. If no one knows, an inspection will tell you more.
Get the roof inspected
A roof inspection in Austin checks shingles, flashing and decking where the mounts will go.
Repair or replace first
Fixing the roof before the array goes up costs less than removing panels later.
Plan the layout
Panel placement, mounts and wiring paths are planned around vents, valleys and roof edges.
Confirm who owns the house
Only the owner can approve permanent work on the roof.
What Austin data says about roofs under solar
Half of the homes in Austin were built before 1994 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Most of those houses are on a second or later roof, and many of those roofs are past the middle of their life. Putting a long-lived solar array on a short-lived roof is a common planning mistake.
The same survey puts owner-occupied homes at 43 percent in Austin. For the rest, solar is a decision for the property owner, not the tenant. Hail matters too: NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 30 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Austin from 2015 through 2024.
Large hail fell near Austin in 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023 and 2024. A storm that bruises shingles around and under the panels can force a roof repair even when the panels themselves survive. Planning for that from day one, with a sound roof and a clear path for future roof work, saves trouble later.
Roof types and solar
Asphalt shingle
The most common base for residential solar. The shingles need enough life left to match the array.
Metal
Long lasting, and some panels can attach without many penetrations. Check panel type and fastener condition.
Tile
Possible, but tiles can crack when walked on, so the install needs care and spare tiles.
Flat and low-slope
Panels sit on racks. The membrane under them must be sound and drain well.
Questions worth asking any solar installer
How will each roof penetration be sealed and flashed?
Who handles a leak at a mount after the install?
What happens if the roof needs repair later and panels have to come off?
Is the roof checked in person before the design is final?
What roof types and pitches does the installer work on, and how are tiles or metal panels handled?
Are the roof and the panels checked again after a hailstorm, and by whom?
How GemSco approaches solar
GemSco installs solar panels and also removes and reinstalls them when roof work is needed, so we look at both sides of the job. We start with the roof, then plan the system around it. If the roof needs work first, compare options on roof replacement in Austin. Learn more on our solar panel installation page, read how long roofing materials last in Texas, or see GemSco in Austin. Estimates are free and financing is available.
If your home already has panels and the roof needs work, our page on solar panel removal and reinstallation in Austin explains how that job is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar panels in Austin?
If the roof is near the end of its life, replacing it first usually makes sense. Otherwise the panels may have to come off for a reroof a few years later, which adds cost. An inspection tells you how much life the current roof has left.
Can hail damage solar panels?
Large hail can crack panel glass, though panels are tested for impact. Around Austin, NOAA recorded hail up to 3 inches on September 24, 2023. After a storm, have the panels and the roof around the mounts checked, since damage to either can lead to leaks or lost output.
Do solar mounts cause roof leaks?
Mounts that are properly flashed and sealed should not leak. Problems come from rushed installs, mounts set in the wrong spot or sealant used instead of flashing. Ask how each penetration will be handled before the work starts.
More Roofing Help in Austin
Roofing in Austin, TX
City overviewRoof Repair in Austin
Learn MoreRoof Replacement in Austin
Learn MoreStorm & Hail Damage in Austin
Learn MoreRoof Inspection in Austin
Learn MoreCommercial Roofing in Austin
Learn MoreGutters in Austin
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Austin
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation Near Austin
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