Solar Panels in Katy: Start With the Roof Underneath

Solar panels are fastened through the roof into the framing. Once they are in place, any roof work underneath means taking them off and putting them back. That is why the condition of the roof before installation matters as much as the panels themselves.

A roofing contractor that also installs solar can look at both at once: the age of the shingles, the decking, the flashing at each mount and the way water will move around the array.

Panels also make part of the roof harder to see. A leak under an array can go unnoticed until it shows up on a ceiling inside.

Half of the homes in Katy were built before 2003 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). If your home is one of them and still has its first roof, that roof may be close to replacement. Putting panels on it now could mean paying to remove them soon after.

Hail is the second check. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 6 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger within 10 miles of Katy from 2015 through 2024, with the largest at 2.5 inches on May 9, 2019. Ask about the impact rating of the panels you are considering, and make sure the roof under them has no unrepaired storm damage.

The same survey shows 81% of homes in Katy are owner-occupied. Solar is the owner's decision, and anyone renting will need the owner's approval before anything goes on the roof.