Solar in Plano Starts With a Roof That Will Outlast the Panels
Panels sit on your roof for a long time. If the roof under them fails first, they have to come off. In Plano, that makes the roof check the first step of any solar plan.
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The order that avoids paying twice
Inspect the roof
Find out its age and condition before any design work. A roof inspection in Plano gives you photos and a clear answer.
Fix or replace first
If the roof has little life left, replacing it before the panels go on avoids removing them later.
Plan the layout
Panels should leave room around vents and edges, and roof penetrations need proper flashing.
Install with the roof in mind
Mounts must be sealed into the roof so they do not become leak points.
Keep records
Save photos of the roof before and after so future repairs are easier.
Why the roof check matters more in Plano
Half of the homes in Plano were built before 1993 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024). Many have had at least one roof replacement, and some have not. Either way, the shingles under your future panels may be well into their life.
Hail is the other concern. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center logged 202 hail reports within 10 miles of Plano from 2015 through 2024, including 75 of 1.75 inches or larger. The biggest was 4.5 inches on March 24, 2019. Panels cover part of the roof, but hail still hits the exposed areas, and damage under the array is harder to see and fix.
Questions to answer before signing
Who owns the roof?
About 57% of Plano homes are owner occupied, per the same Census survey. Only the owner can approve panels on the roof.
How old is the roof?
If it is near the end of its life, replace it first. See roof replacement in Plano.
What happens when the roof needs work?
Panels have to come off for most roof repairs. Ask who handles that.
Are the panels rated for hail?
Ask the manufacturer for its hail testing information.
Roof problems to clear before panels go up
Hail bruising or cracked shingles.
Worn pipe boots and loose flashing.
Soft decking or past leaks.
Poor attic ventilation.
Valleys or low spots where the array would block water flow.
What changes on the roof when panels go up
Each mount is a hole through the roof. Done right, it is flashed and sealed so water runs around it. Done wrong, it is a slow leak that nobody sees for months because the panel hides it. That is the main reason to have a roofer involved in the layout, not just the electrical work.
Panels also change how you maintain the roof. Shingles under the array are shaded and harder to inspect. Debris can collect behind the panels and hold water. Plan for an inspection after big storms that includes a look under the edges of the array.
One contractor for roof and solar
GemSco handles both roofing and solar panel installation, so the roof and the array are planned together. We are family owned, fully licensed and insured, with 20+ years of experience, and estimates are free. Financing is available. Learn more about our solar panel installation service or our Plano roofing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar in Plano?
If the roof is near the end of its life, yes. Removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost and work. An inspection tells you how much life the roof has left. If it is in good shape, panels can go on with properly sealed mounts.
Can solar panels be installed on any roof type?
Panels can go on many roof types, including asphalt shingle, metal and tile, but the mounting method changes with each. Tile and some older roofs need extra care. The roof must also be structurally sound to carry the added weight.
What happens to my panels if hail damages the roof?
If the roof under or around the panels needs repair, the panels usually have to come off first and go back on after. Panel damage itself is a separate question for the panel maker and your insurer. Planning for this before installation saves trouble later.
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GemSco Roofing & Solar serves Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’re family owned and fully licensed and insured.