Sunprint
The short answer
If your roof has about 5 years or less of useful life left, replace it before you install solar, not after. Panels are commonly warrantied for 25 years, which is long enough to outlast a Florida asphalt shingle roof entirely. Reroofing around an existing system means paying to remove and reinstall the panels on top of the reroof itself, and that cost is entirely avoidable with better timing.
This page is about that timing decision specifically. For whether solar affects your insurance eligibility and premiums, see our solar and insurance guide.
How long Florida roofs last
Roofing marketing and Florida reality don't always match. Asphalt shingle roofs are commonly sold with 25 to 30 year warranties, but intense UV exposure and heat, especially in South Florida, routinely wear them down faster than that. It's common for shingle roofs there to need replacement at 15 to 20 years, well short of the marketed number.
Tile and metal roofs generally hold up longer than shingles under the same sun, which is part of why they're common on newer Florida construction. Whatever material you have, the number that matters isn't the age on the original warranty, it's an actual inspection of remaining life.
What it costs to get the order wrong
Removing and reinstalling solar panels for a reroof commonly runs $200 to $400 per panel. One Central Florida roofer quoted $6,000 to $9,000 to remove and reinstall a 30-panel system, and that's before paying for the new roof itself. On a system that size, that's a real, entirely avoidable expense if the roof gets replaced first instead.
The math is simple: a roof with 3 to 5 years of life left, installed under a 25-year solar warranty, is very likely to need this exact expense once, and possibly twice over the system's lifetime if the next roof also wears out before the panels do. Our guide to how long solar panels last in Florida covers the panels' side of that math.
The insurance angle
Florida Statute 627.7011 says an insurer can't refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because a roof is under 15 years old. Once a roof reaches 15 years, the law gives you the right to an inspection showing whether it has at least 5 years of remaining useful life; if it does, the insurer can't deny coverage on roof age alone. Since HB 1611 (2024), a licensed roofing contractor, not only a licensed inspector, can perform that inspection.
That 15-year mark lines up closely with how long a Florida shingle roof often lasts. If your roof is approaching either number, the roof and insurance questions are worth resolving in the same conversation, before you add solar to the equation. Our insurance guide covers the full eligibility picture.
Timing both projects together
If your roof is anywhere near the 15-year mark, get quotes for both projects around the same time, even if you end up hiring separately. A few reasons this pays off:
- One mobilization instead of two. Scaffolding, permits and crew time can overlap instead of happening twice.
- You avoid paying to remove panels you just installed. If the roof clearly won't make it 5 more years, you want to know that before the panels go on.
- Some installers coordinate directly with roofers, or can recommend one they've worked with, which simplifies scheduling both jobs back to back.
None of this means you must replace a roof that's fine. A roof with 10 or 15 years of remaining life doesn't need to be touched just because solar is going on it. The decision only gets urgent near the 5-year mark. If the roof is the problem, a ground mount or carport is the other way around it; see ground-mount solar and solar carports.
What to ask before you sign
- What condition do you rate my roof? Ask for this in writing, not just a verbal opinion during the sales visit.
- Does your workmanship warranty cover leaks at the mounting points? This is where a roof is most likely to develop a problem after installation. Our guide to solar and roof leaks shows how those points should be flashed.
- If my roof needs replacing during the warranty period, is one free removal and reinstall included? Some installers include this, some don't. Get the answer in writing either way.
- How many years of life does my roof likely have left? If it's near or under 5, ask for a roofer's opinion too, not just the solar company's.
Your estimate in three steps
- Enter your billYour ZIP code, your utility and last month's bill.
- See your estimateA yearly savings range based on your utility's rates and Florida sun.
- Choose what's nextAsk for a quote call if you want real pricing, or just keep the number.
See what solar could save you
It takes about a minute. You don't need a site visit, a commitment or a sales call to see your number.
Common questions
Should I replace my roof before installing solar in Florida?
If your roof has 5 years or less of useful life left, yes, replace it first. Removing and reinstalling panels later commonly costs $200 to $400 per panel, on top of the reroof itself, so it's usually cheaper to do both at once than to pay for panel removal twice.
How long do roofs last in Florida?
Often less than the marketed lifespan. Asphalt shingle roofs are typically sold with 25 to 30 year warranties, but intense UV exposure and heat in Florida, especially South Florida, commonly wears them down in 15 to 20 years. Tile and metal roofs generally hold up longer.
How much does it cost to remove and reinstall solar panels for a new roof?
Commonly $200 to $400 per panel. One Central Florida roofer quoted $6,000 to $9,000 to remove and reinstall a 30-panel system, not including the cost of the new roof itself.
Can I get a new roof after solar panels are already installed?
Yes, but it costs more than doing it first. The panels have to come off, the new roof gets installed, and the panels go back on and get reconnected. Ask your solar company for a per-panel removal and reinstall quote before assuming the timing doesn't matter.
Does Florida law affect getting insurance with an older roof?
Yes. Florida Statute 627.7011 says an insurer can't refuse to issue or renew a policy solely because a roof is under 15 years old. At 15 years or older, you have the right to a roof inspection showing whether at least 5 years of useful life remain, and since a 2024 law, a licensed roofing contractor can perform that inspection.
What should I ask an installer about my roof before going solar?
Ask what condition they rate your roof, whether their workmanship warranty covers leaks at the mounting points, and whether they'll include one free panel removal and reinstall if the roof needs replacing during the warranty period. Get that in writing, not just a verbal answer.
Should I get roof and solar quotes at the same time?
It's worth doing if your roof is anywhere near the 15-year mark. A roofer and a solar installer coordinating the timing, or even the same contractor handling both, can save you a full round of panel removal and reinstallation costs.
Does a new roof affect my solar warranty?
It shouldn't end it, but check the paperwork either way. Removing and reinstalling panels is routine work for a solar installer, and manufacturer warranties on the panels themselves generally aren't affected by a reroof done correctly. Ask your installer to confirm in writing before the work starts.
Related guides
- Solar and homeowners insurance in Florida
- Is solar worth it in Florida in 2026?
- How people pay for solar in Florida
- Selling or buying a house with solar in Florida
- How to check a solar company, and door-to-door red flags
- Solar panels and hurricanes in Florida
- How solar mounts on tile and metal roofs
This page is general information, not a roofing or insurance recommendation. Get a written roof condition assessment before you install solar. Sources: Florida Statute 627.7011 · Florida HB 1611 (2024) · installer and roofing contractor quotes cited throughout this page.
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