Solar Panels on a Mesquite Home: Roof First, Then Panels

Half of the homes in Mesquite were built before 1983 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Many have had a new roof since, but not all of those roofs are young now. Panels mounted on a roof with only a few years left will have to come off when it is replaced, and that adds work you can avoid.

Hail is part of the picture too. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 49 hail reports within 10 miles of Mesquite from 2015 through 2024, and nine were 1.75 inches or larger. Large hail can damage panels and the roof around them. Fixing any existing storm damage before installation keeps the two problems from mixing later.

About 63% of Mesquite homes are owner occupied. Solar is a decision for the owner of the house, since it changes the roof and stays with the property.

If the roof needs replacing before solar, choose it with the array in mind. The panels will cover part of it for many years, so a durable roof under them saves trouble later. Impact-rated shingles tested under UL 2218 and rated Class 4 resist hail better than standard ones. Metal and stone-coated roofs also hold up well, and each needs its own mounting method.

Plan the layout before the new roof goes on. When mount locations are known, flashing can be built into the new roof instead of added afterward. Our guide on how long roofing materials last in Texas compares the options, and asphalt shingles vs. metal roofing looks at two common choices side by side.