roof suitability
How roof age, shade, orientation, slope, structure, and electrical access affect residential solar planning.
Last reviewed: May 25, 2026
If roof replacement is likely soon, it is usually better to coordinate roof work before installing panels. Removing and reinstalling solar later can add cost and scheduling complexity, especially when a lease, PPA, or financed system has transfer and equipment-access terms.
South-facing roof planes are often strong candidates, but east- and west-facing roofs can still work. Trees, chimneys, dormers, neighboring buildings, and seasonal shade should be reviewed before final design. The proposal should explain whether production estimates use conservative shade assumptions or only a clean satellite image.
A solar plan may require main-panel review, meter access, inverter placement, disconnects, conduit routing, and utility interconnection steps. These details can affect both cost and timing, so they should be addressed before a homeowner treats the first monthly-payment estimate as final.
This guide is source-aware, but it is not tax, legal, engineering, or financial advice. Confirm current program rules, utility requirements, product terms, and property-specific conditions before making a decision.
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