Solar Panels on a Cedar Park Roof: Start With the Roof
Panels stay on a roof for a long time. Putting them on a roof that needs work soon means paying to take them off and put them back. This guide starts there.
Schedule Your Roofing Inspection Today
Fill out the information below and we’ll reach out to complete your estimate as soon as possible!
Questions to answer before signing
How old is the roof?
If it is near the end of its life, replacing it first avoids a removal and reinstall later.
Any hail history?
Hidden hail damage under panels is hard to reach and hard to document.
Is the decking solid?
Mounts are fastened through the roof, so the wood below has to hold.
Who decides?
Only the owner can approve work on the roof, which is worth checking for rentals.
The Cedar Park roof picture
Half of the homes in Cedar Park were built before 2005 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Many of those still have their original roof at about 21 years old. That is the age to ask how much life the roof has left before you put panels on it.
Hail is the second check. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 24 hail reports of 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of the city from 2015 through 2024. Roughly 67 percent of homes here are owner occupied, and for those owners the roof and the panels are one decision, not two.
A sensible order of work
Fix or replace first
Make any repair or replacement before the racking goes on.
Plan the layout
Panels placed around vents, valleys and ridges so water still flows.
Mount and flash
Each attachment point sealed and flashed so it does not become a leak.
Final check
A last look at the roof surface around the array.
Hail and panels
Panels are built to take some impact, and the glass faces the sky. The roof under them is still exposed at the edges and around mounts, and damage there is harder to see. After a storm, ask for the area around the array to be checked too. Our post on what to do after a hailstorm damages your roof covers the first steps.
Large hail is not rare here. NOAA's record shows hail of 1.75 inches or more near Cedar Park in 2021 and in 2023, and the 2023 storm brought stones up to 4 inches. If your roof went through either year without an inspection, have it checked before panels go on. Finding a cracked shingle now is a small repair. Finding it after the array is installed means taking panels off to reach it.
Think about the roof material too. A fresh shingle roof, metal or tile each take mounts differently, and the right flashing depends on which one you have.
Why a roofer should be involved
Every mount is a hole in your roof, and it needs proper flashing.
A roofer can tell you if the roof will outlast the panels.
One company for both reduces finger pointing if a leak shows up.
Wiring runs and conduit on the roof need clear paths that do not block drainage.
Learn more on our solar panel installation page or the Cedar Park roofing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar?
If the roof is near the end of its life, it usually makes sense. Panels stay in place for many years, and removing them later to replace the roof adds cost. A roof inspection first tells you how much life is left so you can plan both jobs in the right order.
Do solar mounts cause roof leaks?
They can if they are not flashed and sealed correctly. Each attachment goes through the roof surface. Properly installed flashing keeps water out, while a quick sealant dab tends to fail with heat and time. Ask how each mount will be sealed before work starts.
Can GemSco install panels on any type of roof?
GemSco installs solar and works on asphalt shingle, metal, tile and other roof types. Each material uses different mounting hardware, and some need more care than others. A visit to check the roof and its structure comes first, then a written estimate.
More Roofing Help in Cedar Park
Roofing in Cedar Park, TX
City overviewRoof Repair in Cedar Park
Learn MoreRoof Replacement in Cedar Park
Learn MoreStorm & Hail Damage in Cedar Park
Learn MoreRoof Inspection in Cedar Park
Learn MoreCommercial Roofing in Cedar Park
Learn MoreGutters in Cedar Park
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Cedar Park
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation Near Cedar Park
We’re Here to Help!
GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.