Are you considering replacing your roof soon? Like many other homeowners you might be asking yourself if you should add solar when you replace your roof. Current statistics show that the U.S. has 75 million single-family homes. On average, about 7 percent re-roof each year. Over 5 million new roofs are installed each year. As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. If even a small fraction of families who need roof replacements add solar at the same time, we will have made a significant difference to better our environment.
If I Add Solar, How Significant Will the Total Cost Increase Be?
On average, replacing a roof costs around $10,000, depending on various factors such as the roof’s size and materials used, and typically lasts between 20 to 50 years. Installing a residential rooftop solar array, on the other hand, comes with an average cost of $19,000, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
When combined with a roof replacement, the total bill can amount to nearly $30,000. However, NREL researchers estimate that by doing both simultaneously, the average cost could drop to $25,000, saving homeowners an average of $4,000. Additionally, homeowners may qualify for a federal tax credit for solar photovoltaics, which could increase savings by providing a tax credit for 26% of the installed solar array’s cost.
Homeowners can benefit from cost savings because roofers and solar installers often have partnerships, when obtaining quotes for a rooftop solar array for a home, one installation company offered a 30% discount on a new roof if I chose to replace it at the same time. This price reduction is possible because the roofing company would not have any customer acquisition costs. It is likely that this ability to bundle roof and solar is a chance to save significantly, especially if solar is something you were considering in the future.
Other Ways Solar Will Save You Money
Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 25-30 years, which is similar to the lifetime of a roof. By doing both roof replacement and solar panel installation simultaneously, homeowners can avoid the need to re-install solar panels after replacing their roof, resulting in long-term cost savings. Additionally, adding solar panels to a home can increase its value, providing another financial benefit.
Adding solar panels to a home can increase its value because it provides a cost-saving benefit for potential homebuyers. Solar panels generate electricity, which can reduce monthly utility bills for homeowners. This cost savings can be a significant selling point for potential buyers, making the property more attractive in the housing market. Additionally, as more homeowners become interested in sustainable living and reducing their carbon footprint, properties with solar panels can become more desirable, leading to an increase in demand and property value. Finally, in some areas, local governments may offer incentives such as property tax exemptions or rebates for homeowners who install solar panels, further increasing the value of the home.
A Huge Impact on Our Planet
Installing solar in your home benefits the planet in several ways:
- Reducing carbon emissions: Electricity generated from solar panels produces zero carbon emissions, which helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases released into the atmosphere. This helps to combat climate change and its associated impacts, such as global warming, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events.
- Promoting renewable energy: Solar power is a renewable source of energy that can be harnessed indefinitely, unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources. By installing solar in your home, you are helping to promote the use of renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
- Saving natural resources: The production of electricity from non-renewable sources such as coal and natural gas requires the use of natural resources such as water, fossil fuels, and minerals. By using solar power instead, you can help to conserve these resources for future generations.
- Reducing pollution: The production of electricity from non-renewable sources can also create pollution, such as smog and acid rain. Solar power, on the other hand, produces no pollution during the generation of electricity.
When making a significant investment in your home, it’s important to consider all options carefully. However, after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of going solar, as I did, you will find that it not only makes financial sense, but also benefits the environment. Although initial costs can be a challenge, financing options and low- to moderate-income programs in some states are available to help you transition to solar and save money. The Department of Energy is working hard to reduce costs and make solar energy accessible to all Americans.
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