Plan Solar Roofing From the Start
New construction is the easiest time to choose a solar roof, because nothing has to be undone. The roof shape, the panel layout and the wiring routes can all be drawn together. The catch is timing. The decision needs to be made while the roof is still on paper, not after the trusses are up.
Request a Project AssessmentWhat to decide while it's still a drawing
Start with the roof shape. Long, simple planes that face the sun give you the most generating area. Every dormer and skylight takes some away. Then think about where vents and flues come through, because grouping them on one side leaves the other clear. And work out where the electrical equipment will live and how cable gets there from the roof. None of this is hard at design stage. All of it is expensive later.
Who should be talking to each other
Your architect or designer, your builder, the roofer and the electrician. On a solar roof the roofing and electrical work overlap, so those two trades need the same layout drawing in their hands. If you're the owner, the most useful thing you can do is get them in one conversation early.
Getting your project to us
Send it while the roof is still being designed. We'll review the project, tell you whether it looks like a fit, and work with your designer and builder from there. The earlier we see it, the more we can help.
Best for
- Custom homes where the roof is part of the design
- Builders with projects still in design
- Roofs with large, simple, sunny planes
May not be best for
- Projects where the roofing is already ordered
- Roofs already designed around many small sections
- Builds with no room in the schedule for early planning
Questions we get asked
When should I bring this up with my architect?
Before the roof design is settled. It's a far easier conversation at concept stage.
Can my own builder install it?
Installation needs roofing and electrical trades familiar with the system. We'll confirm installation arrangements for your area as part of the project review.
Can I send you a project that's a year or more out?
Yes. Earlier is better.