The One Rule Nobody Tells You
Do not put solar panels on a roof that does not have at least 20 years of life left. Removing and reinstalling a solar array to replace the roof underneath costs $3,000 to $7,000 on a typical Asheville home, and most solar warranties do not cover removal for re-roofing.
That means if your asphalt shingle roof is older than 5 years, you should replace it before solar goes on. Period. Solar installers will sometimes tell you the roof is fine. Get a second opinion from a roofer first.
What Roof Is a Good Solar Candidate
Three checks in order.
Age and condition. Asphalt shingles need to be new or near new. Metal needs to be in good shape with at least 30 years of remaining life. Wood shake and slate are not good solar candidates.
Orientation and shade. South facing slopes are best. East and west work. North facing is rarely worth it. Mature WNC tree cover blocks more sun than people realize, especially in summer when canopy is full.
Structure. Older Asheville homes (pre 1970) sometimes need engineering review for the added panel weight. Newer construction is almost always fine.
The Right Order to Do Things
If you are within 10 years of needing a new roof, this is the order.
1. Get a roof inspection from a roofer, not a solar installer.
2. Replace the roof if it needs it. Pick a high quality shingle (architectural minimum, ideally Class 4 impact resistant) or a standing seam metal system. Both work well under solar.
3. Add an attic ventilation upgrade while the roof is open. Solar panels increase attic temperatures in summer and you want airflow.
4. Wait 30 days for the new roof to settle.
5. Install solar with a contractor who provides written removal and reinstall pricing in case of future roof work.
Doing it in this order saves the cost of removing the array later.
Asphalt vs Metal Under Solar
Both work. Here is the tradeoff.
Architectural asphalt shingles are cheaper upfront and easier to penetrate for solar mounts. Lifespan is 25 to 30 years which roughly matches solar warranty length. This is the path most Asheville homeowners take.
Standing seam metal allows clamp mount solar with no roof penetrations. Zero leak risk from the solar install. The metal roof outlasts the solar array, so when panels need replacement (25 to 30 years out) you do not need to redo the roof. Higher upfront cost but cleaner long term.
What Goes Wrong
The leaks we see on Asheville solar installs almost always trace to one of these.
Federal and NC Incentives in 2026
The 30 percent federal Residential Clean Energy Credit is still in effect through 2032 under current law. Duke Energy in NC offers net metering for residential solar through standard rate options. Local Asheville installers typically handle the paperwork.
If you replace the roof and the solar in the same calendar year, some of the roof cost (specifically structural components that integrate with the solar) may qualify for the federal credit. Talk to your tax preparer. We are not tax advisors.
Get a Free Pre-Solar Roof Inspection
Before you sign with a solar installer, get an honest read on your roof. We will tell you if you can go solar tomorrow or if you should reroof first.
Call Lane Roofing at (828) 490-1830 or request a free inspection. We serve Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, Fletcher, Arden, and all of Western NC.
Worried About Your Roof?
Get a free roof inspection from a local crew. We'll take a look, show you photos of what we find, and give you an honest answer on what it needs.
Serving Asheville, Western NC, Mooresville, Lake Norman, Hickory and Statesville.
