Solar in Houston: Get the Roof Right Before the Panels Go Up
A solar array sits on your roof for many years. If the roof under it fails first, the panels have to come off. Planning prevents paying for that twice.
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Who decides, and on what kind of roof
In Houston, 42 percent of homes are owner occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Solar is a decision for the property owner. Renters who want panels need the owner's approval, and landlords weighing solar should treat the roof as part of the same project.
Half of the homes in Houston were built before 1982, according to the same survey. Many of those houses are on a second or third roof, and the current one may already be partway through its life. Putting panels on a roof that needs replacing soon means removing and reinstalling them later, which is a separate job with its own cost.
Roof checks before any solar agreement
How many years of life does the current roof have left?
Is there hail damage on any slope, especially the planes facing the array?
Is the decking solid enough to hold the mounts firmly?
Are flashing, vents and pipe boots in good shape?
Is the attic ventilated well enough to keep the deck dry?
Will any vents or pipes need to move to make room for the panels?
Hail and solar in Houston
The record
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 40 hail reports within 10 miles of central Houston from 2015 through 2024, with 9 at 1.75 inches or larger.
The worst of it
The largest hail in that period measured 2.5 inches, on January 8, 2016.
Panels
Many panels are tested for hail impact. Ask for the data sheet of the model you are offered and check its rating.
The roof around them
Shingles outside the array stay exposed. Impact-rated shingles tested to UL 2218 Class 4 resist hail better than standard ones.
Insurance
Ask your insurer whether the panels are covered under your policy. Coverage depends on your policy and your insurer.
A roof-first solar plan
Inspect
Start with a roof inspection in Houston so you know the condition and remaining life of the roof.
Repair or replace
Fix what is needed or replace the roof before the array goes up. See roof replacement in Houston.
Lay out the array
Place panels on open planes, clear of valleys and as many vents as possible.
Mount and flash
Attachments are fastened to the structure and flashed so they do not become leak points.
Set the panels
Racking and panels go on and the site is cleaned up.
Questions worth asking any installer
Ask how each roof attachment is sealed and who you call if a leak shows up near the array. Ask what happens if the roof needs repair later, and how the panels would be removed and reinstalled. Ask whether the roof manufacturer has rules for penetrations that affect your roof's coverage. Get the answers in writing.
GemSco does both roofing and solar panel installation, so the roof and the array are planned together. GemSco is an elite contractor for Owens Corning and GAF, family owned, fully licensed and insured. Estimates are free and financing is available. Read about our solar panel installation service or see solar panel removal and reinstallation in Houston if your panels are already up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to replace the roof before installing solar?
If the roof has only a few years left, usually yes. Removing and reinstalling panels later is an extra job with its own cost. If the roof is fairly new and an inspection finds it sound, it may be ready as is. The inspection report is what lets you decide.
Can I add solar panels to a home I rent in Houston?
Not without the owner's approval. The roof and any attachments to it belong to the property owner, who would need to agree to the installation and to the roof work it may require. Talk to your landlord first and share any roof concerns you have.
Will mounting panels cause leaks?
Each mount goes through the roof, so each is a possible leak point. Leaks come from attachments that are not flashed and sealed well. Ask how the installer waterproofs mounts and who is responsible for leaks near the array after the job is done.
Should I worry about hail damaging panels?
It is worth planning for. Large hail can crack panel glass, and Houston has seen hail of 2.5 inches in recent years. Choose panels with a solid hail rating, keep the roof around them in good shape, and confirm with your insurer how the panels are covered.
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