Good tips here, especially about the trees. Had a similar close call myself during a storm last year.
"Definitely get a thorough inspection beforehand."
Curious—did anyone here opt for metal roofing before installing panels? Wondering if that's worth the extra upfront cost...
Good call on the inspection—can't stress that enough. I dealt with a lot of storm damage cases, and you'd be surprised how many hidden issues pop up once someone climbs up there for a proper look.
Funny you mentioned metal roofing. A buddy of mine went that route about three years ago, right before installing his panels. He was hesitant at first because of the upfront cost, but after one particularly nasty hailstorm, he was pretty relieved he did. His neighbors had shingles scattered everywhere and damaged panels, while his setup barely had a scratch. Plus, he's always talking about how much easier it is to maintain and keep clean compared to traditional shingles. Apparently, metal roofs tend to hold up better over the long haul, especially under the weight and stress of solar panels.
But, I'll be honest, the initial investment isn't small. It might not be worthwhile if your existing roof is fairly new or in excellent shape already. On the other hand, if you're looking at an older roof that's nearing replacement anyway, metal could be a solid option to consider. You'll probably recoup some of that extra cost through longevity and fewer repairs down the road.
One thing I'd caution though is that metal roofs can be noisy during heavy rain or hail. Some people love the sound—find it relaxing even—but others find it annoying. So that's something to think about too, depending on your noise tolerance.
Either way, you're definitely thinking along the right lines by considering roof quality before installing solar panels. Seen too many folks regret skipping that step...
Totally agree on the inspection—saved me from a nasty surprise last year. Metal roofs sound great, but yeah, that upfront cost is no joke. I ended up just reinforcing my shingles before installing solar...cheaper and still holding strong so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Reinforcing shingles before solar can definitely work if the roof wasn't already on its last legs. Seen plenty of folks go that route and get decent mileage out of it. But just keep an eye out—solar panels add weight and create spots where moisture can sneak in. Not saying it'll happen to you, but I've had to fix a few roofs where the homeowner thought reinforcement was enough and ended up with leaks a couple years down the road.
Still, sounds like you did your homework and got a proper inspection first, which is half the battle. If everything checked out solid then you're probably good for a while yet. Just make sure to peek into your attic every now and then after heavy storms...better safe than sorry. Good luck with it.
Good points above, but I'd add that the type of mounting system used for your solar panels can make a huge difference. I've seen roofs hold up perfectly fine for years when installers used proper flashing and sealing techniques around the mounts. On the flip side, I've also seen some real messes when corners were cut or cheaper mounting hardware was used.
If your roof inspection came back solid, that's a great start. But don't just rely on reinforcement alone—make sure your installer is using quality flashing kits and sealing everything properly. Also, keep an eye on the condition of your shingles around the mounts every year or so. Catching small issues early can save you from bigger headaches later.
Bottom line: solar panels themselves aren't usually the problem; it's how they're installed that matters most.
