Solar Panels in Grand Prairie: Start With the Roof Underneath
Panels sit on your roof for many years. Before they go up, the roof under them has to be ready. Here is how Grand Prairie owners can plan it.
Schedule Your Roofing Inspection Today
Fill out the information below and we’ll reach out to complete your estimate as soon as possible!
Roof age and hail in Grand Prairie
Half of the homes in Grand Prairie were built before 1992 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). If your roof is near the end of its life, installing panels now means paying to take them off again when the roof is replaced.
Hail matters too. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 36 hail reports of 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Grand Prairie from 2015 through 2024. Check panel impact ratings with the manufacturer, and make sure the roof around the array can be inspected after a storm.
A roofer looks at things a solar salesperson may not: how brittle the shingles are, whether the decking is soft, how the attic vents and where water already pools. Those answers tell you whether the roof can carry an array for its full life, or whether it should be replaced first while access is easy.
Questions to answer before going solar
How old is the roof, and how many years does it have left?
Is there hail damage that should be fixed first?
Which slopes get the most sun without shade?
Who owns the home? In Grand Prairie, 59% of homes are owner-occupied (ACS 2020-2024), and renters need the owner's approval.
Does your homeowners policy need an update to list the panels?
Roofing details that protect a solar install
Flashed mounts
Each mount goes through the roof and needs proper flashing to stay watertight.
Solid decking
Mounts must anchor into sound wood, not soft boards.
Clear paths
Leave room for water to drain and for access around the array.
Before photos
Photos of the roof before install make later damage easier to document.
If the roof is borderline
Some roofs are not bad enough to replace today and not good enough to last as long as the panels. In that case, replacing only the slopes that will hold the array is sometimes an option, but it leaves you with two roof ages on one house. Ask the roofer to price both paths so you can compare them side by side.
A sensible order of work
Repair or replace
Fix what needs fixing now, while the roof is still clear.
Install the panels
Mounts and panels go onto a roof that is ready for them.
Check after storms
Look at the panels and the roof around them after any hail.
One crew for roof and solar
GemSco does both roofing and solar panel installation, so the roof and the array are planned together instead of by two companies that never talk. Estimates are free and financing is available. If a new roof has to come first, read things to do before replacing your roof.
Ask any installer how they flash the mounts, who comes back if a mount leaks, and how the panels come off if the roof needs work later. Clear answers to those three questions say a lot about the job you will get.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar?
If the roof has only a few years left, usually yes. Panels have to come off for a full replacement, which adds cost and work later. An inspection gives you a clear read on remaining life, so you can decide with real information instead of a guess.
Do solar panels damage the roof?
Not when installed correctly. Leaks come from poorly sealed mounts or mounts set into weak decking. Proper flashing at every penetration, and an installer who understands roofing, are what keep the roof watertight under the array for the long run.
What happens to panels in a Grand Prairie hailstorm?
Panels are tested for impact, but large hail can still crack glass or bend frames. After a storm, have both the panels and the roof checked. Talk with your insurance agent about how the panels are listed on your policy before you need to file.
More Roofing Help in Grand Prairie
Roofing in Grand Prairie, TX
City overviewRoof Repair in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreRoof Replacement in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreStorm & Hail Damage in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreRoof Inspection in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreCommercial Roofing in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreGutters in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreSolar Removal & Reinstall in Grand Prairie
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation Near Grand Prairie
Solar Panel Installation in Arlington, TX
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in Duncanville, TX
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in Cedar Hill, TX
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in Mansfield, TX
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in DeSoto, TX
Learn MoreSolar Panel Installation in Irving, TX
Learn MoreWe’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.