Welcome back to another installment of our series on solar roofing. Today we’re focusing on the pros and cons of having a solar roofing system — either solar panels or solar shingles — installed.
In case you missed them, here are the previous articles in the series:
- The Benefits of a GAF Timberline Solar Roofing System
- The Best Type of Roofing to Use with Solar Panels
What’s interesting about a pros and cons list is that each positive and each negative can have a different amount of weight for a homeowner depending on their particular situation — so be sure to look at this list of pros and cons through your own lens to see which points feel important, and which don’t.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that the 30% federal residential solar tax credit expires on December 31, 2025, which means if you have a solar roofing system installed before then your overall savings will be greater. If you have questions, or would like to get the ball rolling on defining whether or not this is the best time for you to have a solar roofing system installed, feel free to contact us anytime.
THE PROS OF SOLAR ROOFING PANELS & SHINGLES
1. It Can Improve Your Home’s Value
Adding a solar roofing system to your home is one of the ways you can increase its value by approximately 5-10%, which is no small sum.
In addition to continued energy cost savings (which we cover below), studies show that solar panels or solar shingles are one of the most valuable home improvements buyers are looking for. Even if you’re not planning on selling right away, a solar roofing system can still add value to your home down the road.
2. It Lowers Your Electric Bills, Year After Year
Having solar panels or solar shingles installed on a new or existing roof creates a self-generating energy system that makes homeowners considerably less reliant on their local utility company for electricity.
And with an average lifespan of 25 to 35 years (depending on the solution chosen) this is typically the top benefit a homeowner will enjoy from having a solar roofing system installed.
There’s a wide range of potential savings here because of things like usage and the type of system that’s installed, but homeowners can expect to save somewhere between $35,000 to $150,000 over a 25 year period thanks to their solar roofing solution.
3. Protection from Inflation & Rising Electricity Bills
With the price of everything seemingly always going up, a quality solar roofing system can give homeowners peace of mind that their roof is working for them to help them save money.
Sometimes, when we work with a homeowner who also needs new siding, they are very pleased at their overall savings on utilities — with solar panels/shingles providing for their electricity needs, while well-insulated, properly installed siding results in a reduction of their gas bill to heat the home.
4. Reduction of a Home’s Carbon Footprint
Choosing a solar roofing solution means your home is creating a smaller carbon footprint.
Since it’s a renewable energy source, there’s a natural reduction in carbon dioxide/greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels, including oil, coal, and natural gas release pollutants, while solar provides clean energy.
If you’re interested in a bit of technical talk, average residential solar panels emit about 41 grams of CO2-equivalent emissions, and that’s per kilowatt/hour of electricity generated. Over the lifetime of a solar panel system, it produces approximately 12x less emissions than gas-generated electricity, and about 20x less emissions than coal-generated electricity.
5. Low Maintenance
As long as you’ve chosen a dependable solar roofing system, which your roofing contractor can assist you with, they are built to withstand Wisconsin weather, so repairs are typically infrequent. Since there are no moving parts in solar panels or shingles, they may just need an occasional cleaning. And if you choose a solution like the GAF Timberline Solar Roofing System — it’s even durable enough to walk on!
That said, if you ever think your solar roofing system (or your actual roof) may be in need of repair — maybe you’re noticing a performance dip — we recommend that you get it inspected. At Legacy Exteriors, we never charge homeowners for inspections, as we believe they should always be complimentary.
THE CONS OF SOLAR ROOFING PANELS & SHINGLES
1. The Upfront Cost May Require Planning
As mentioned earlier, if you have your solar roofing system installed before December 31, 2025, you can take advantage of the 30% federal residential solar tax credit before it goes away.
If that time has passed, upfront investment on a solar roofing solution will depend on two major things:
- Current available incentives
- Your budget
While some homeowners may have money saved for investments like this, others may need a payment plan, while some may need to plan out a reasonable amount of time to gather enough funds to do the job without feeling stressed.
2. Solar May Not Be the Right Choice if You are Moving Soon
As mentioned earlier, a solar roofing system can increase the value of your home between 5-10%. The question, if you’re looking to sell soon is, is it worth it?
This question can have a different answer depending on a multitude of factors, which is why we recommend speaking with your realtor about it, as well as your roofing contractor. It’s ALWAYS better to make a decision when you are educated about the potential positives and negatives, and the best way to do this is to ask for help from a professional!
Bottom line: is it worth installing a solar roofing solution if, at the end of the day, you’re only going to break even when you sell?
3. Savings Depends on Pre-solar Energy Costs
If your electric bill is already very low, or you happen to live in a state where utility costs are lower than the national average (which keeps rising), the investment-to-savings ratio you’re looking for may not exist.
If you’re unsure about this, talk with a neighbor who has a solar roofing solution in place, or your realtor.
Again, getting educated before you make the investment is the way to go.
4. Disposing of a Solar Roofing Solution Can Be Costly
Although most modern solar panels are built with silicon solar cells, glass and metal, depending on the brand and model they can also contain heavy metals that are considered hazardous materials that need to be disposed of properly — which can include a disposal cost.
That said, if you prefer, there are sustainable solar solutions out there that do not contain heavy metals. Yes, there may be a higher cost for these panels, but they are more eco-friendly.
And while some states have a dedicated statewide recycling program for solar panels/shingles, Wisconsin does not.
GET IN TOUCH ANYTIME
Whether you have questions, or would like to discuss options and cost of having a solar roofing solution installed — with no strings attached — feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors anytime. We’re always happy to help!