Solar PV systems can add quite a bit of weight to your rooftop. If your current roof is not in the best condition or will need to be replaced within a few years, your installer may recommend a full roof replacement before moving forward with the solar installation.
Of course, replacing your rooftop will increase the total cost of going solar. But how much will depend on a variety of factors such as the type of roof you’re installing, the size, and the slope. This blog post will break down the average cost to tear off and replace a roof so you can estimate the additional expense.
Average Cost To Tear Off and Replace a Roof
It’s difficult to give an exact estimate for a roof replacement cost since there are so many different factors to consider. The best way to get an estimate is to have a professional roofing contractor come to your home and perform an inspection.
That being said, here are some rough estimates for a full roof replacement based on a 2,000 sq ft flat roof:
- For asphalt shingles: $4 per sq ft/ $8000 total
- For metal roofs: $4 – $12 per sq ft/ $8000 – $24000 total
- Wood shingles: $7 – $12 per sq ft/ $14000 – $24000 total
- Composite shingles: $14 – $20 per sq ft/ $28000 – $40000 total
- Clay tile: $12 – $24 per sq ft/ $24000 -$48000 total
Roof replacement paired with solar panel installation can get pricey, but you can save quite a bit when you have both jobs done at the same time by the same company. Consider working with a solar installation company that also specializes in roof replacement.
Adding Solar Panels To Your Roof
An estimated 2.3 million stand-alone houses will need roof replacement during the next decade. Even though a tiny number of homes switched to solar, it would be a significant step toward the United States’ decarbonization goals.
Installing solar panels as part of a roof renovation is economical in other ways. Solar panels have around 25-30 years of lifetime, similar to a roof. You prevent re-installing the solar panels after rebuilding your roof by using them simultaneously, saving you cash in the long run.
Solar’s value to your residence is yet another financial advantage and is seen as an enhancement. According to research by Lawrence Berkeley, homebuyers across the USA are willing to spend an extra $15,000 for a house with a standard-sized solar array. Moreover, data shows that homes with solar panels sell faster than homes lacking.
Then there’s the planet. To cut emissions from the electrical sector by the 2020s, the US will need to increase solar installations by roughly 70 gigawatts (GW) per year. Solar panels installed on new homes or during roof replacement contribute roughly 30 GW of prospective solar output per year, therefore cutting the US’ carbon emissions in half. Aside from the energy benefits of a new roof, the increased solar capacity would reduce the country’s impact on climate change.
What if your budget is low?
You have alternatives if you don’t have the money upfront to rebuild your roof and install solar panels on your property. One, you might be eligible for the federal solar photovoltaics tax credit. It’ll save you funds by paying up to 26% of the cost of solar panels you wish to install in 2022. You might find other possible savings in the State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency Database.
Also, some roofers and solar installers frequently form partnerships that serve homeowners, which is one basis for these savings. For example, Solar Optimum may offer you a discount on a new roof if you replace it with solar panels.
Solar Panels and Roof Replacement: The Perfect Pair
Making a significant investment in your home needs careful consideration. See our Homeowner’s Guide if you consider switching to solar energy. When you examine the advantages and disadvantages of employing solar to cut the average cost to tear off and replace your roof, you’ll realize that it makes financial sense and benefits the ecosystem.
Solar Optimum is constantly trying to lower costs and make solar more affordable for homeowners. Download Your Optimum Guide to Your New Roof today for more information on roof replacement and solar installation.