Roof Replacement With Solar in Edmonton: How the Right Timing Can Save You Thousands
Will your roof last as long as the solar panels?
This is one of the first questions you want to be asking before mounting a 25-30 year solar system on your home.
Installing on an aging roof can be a disaster. It’s not uncommon at all for people to have to remove the entire system when it comes time to replace the shingles. You then have to reinstall the panels after the new roof is completed! So many costs that could’ve been avoided…
The Expensive Mistake Most Homeowners Don’t See Coming
Planning your roof replacement with solar in Edmonton in the right order can help you save thousands…just imagine for a second you install solar panels on a 15-year-old asphalt shingle roof…
The system performs well for another five to eight years. Then your shingles begin curling, granules collect in the gutters or a leak appears…
You now need a roof replacement, but the roofing crew cannot access the shingles until the solar array is disconnected and removed. After the new roof is installed, the panels must be put back and recommissioned.
You have now paid for solar labour twice!
Residential solar panels commonly have an expected operating life of approximately 25 to 30 years. It’s recommended, then, that the roof be assessed based on its age and condition before adding solar.
Rule #1: Don’t place a long-term asset on top of a roof that needs to be replaced in a few years. This, simply, does not make any sense.
The unfortunate part?
There are companies out there who will install your solar without even bringing this up…
So we’re telling you now, confirm that your roof can support the solar system’s timeline before installing new panels. It’s as simple as that.
What It Costs to Remove and Reinstall Solar Panels
Let’s go a bit deeper.
Removing solar panels involves more than taking brackets off the roof.
A qualified contractor has to show up, shut down the system, disconnect all the electrical, take off each panel one-by-one, store everything, then return to reinstall and test if everything is working properly…all after your roof has been replaced!
It’s not uncommon for solar removal and installation to cost $250 - $350 per panel, which, for a typical residential system, could mean roughly $6,700! This is all dependent on system size, roof access, labour rates, equipment condition, etc.
Other factors can drive up the price, as well. Old penetration repairs, new flashing or mounting hardware, and repairs to damaged components. These additions could cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Do it right. Do it once.
Why Doing Both Together Saves the Most
Coordinating your roof replacement with your solar panel install is usually the most efficient and cost-effective option. One of the biggest benefits is it allows both contractors to plan around the same schedule.
Remove the old roof
Check the roof deck for moisture damage, soft spots, or other structural concerns
Install new shingles and flashing
Install solar mounting points
This eliminates the need to remove an existing array and reduces duplicated labour, equipment and disruption.
| Cost Driver | Separate Projects | Coordinated Project RECOMMENDED |
|---|---|---|
| Crew visits | Multiple project periods | One coordinated schedule |
| Panel handling | Removal, storage and reinstallation | Panels installed once |
| Penetrations | Old openings may need repair | Mounts planned on the new roof |
| Hardware | Existing parts may be damaged | New compatible parts installed |
| Disruption | Two major projects | One planned work window |
Savings vary by contractor and scope. Ask for itemized roofing and solar quotes.
Another benefit to having a new roof installed prior to solar panels is that contractors then have better visibility. Damaged sheathing that has been corrected, ventilation problems that have been resolved, and vulnerable flashing that has been secured are all things that can be fixed before becoming difficult to reach beneath the panels.
Savings will vary by contractor and scope, so you’ll want to request itemized roofing and solar quotes rather than assuming a fixed discount.
The Right Order of Operations: Roof First—Usually
We’ve established by now that you should generally replace your roof before or alongside solar when it has significantly less life remaining than the incoming panel system.
Rule of thumb: When the roof has less than 10 dependable years remaining, you should be considering replacement!
The age of the roof isn’t the full picture, though.
Shingle quality, ventilation, workmanship, sun exposure, weather damage and previous repairs can all affect longevity.
Replace your roof first if:
Shingles are curling, cracking, lifting or missing
Granule loss is visible in gutters
You have experienced repeated leaks
Flashing around vents, chimneys or valleys is failing
The roof deck has soft or damaged areas
You expect to replace the roof within several years
If the shingles are relatively new, you may be able to install solar on top of the existing roof.
The key question is not really whether the panels can be mounted today, it’s more about whether the roof is likely to remain dependable to the majority of the solar system’s life.
A professional assessment should consider the shingles, flashing, roof deck, ventilation and signs of previous moisture intrusion.
Thinking about solar but unsure how long your roof will last? A roof-life assessment can help you decide whether to replace now, wait or coordinate both projects. Soltek Roofing & Solar can help, contact us today for your free quote.
The Edmonton Factor: Net Metering, Rebates and Winter
Net Metering
Under Alberta’s Micro-Generation Regulation, you can use the solar electricity produced by your home and receive bill credits when surplus power is exported to the grid. Compensation is established through your electricity agreement, with exported electricity settled at the same energy rate you pay when purchasing electricity.
Rebates
As of 2026, funding for the City of Edmonton’s single-family Solar Rebate Program and Home Energy Retrofit Accelerator has been fully allocated. Financing may also be available through the Clean Energy Improvement Program, or CEIP. Eligible homeowners may be able to finance approved improvements through their property tax bill (this is financing rather than a rebate), with terms that extend up to 25 years.
Winter
Edmonton’s climate also affects the timing of any roof or solar projects. Snow, wind, ice and repeated freeze-thaw cycles make decking, flashing and waterproofing especially important. The climate can also restrict safe roof access or delay installation. Planning the work during Edmonton’s spring-to-fall construction window generally gives you more flexibility!
How Soltek Roofing Helps You Time It Right
Soltek Roofing takes the guesswork out of this major financial and time investment decision. We can assess your shingles, flashing, ventilation, penetrations and roof deck before you proceed with solar. When replacement makes sense, we can help coordinate the roofing work so the new system is completed before solar installation begins.
The right decision depends on your roof’s actual condition—not simply its age.
Thinking about solar? Get a free roof assessment from Soltek Roofing first. We’ll tell you honestly whether to replace it now, wait or bundle both and save! Contact us today.