Why the roof comes first
Solar panels are built to last decades. If the roof under them only has a few years left, you'll pay to remove the panels, replace the roof and put the panels back, long before the system has paid for itself.
That's why, as roofers, we inspect the roof before we design any solar system, and we tell you honestly whether it's ready.
Solar on flat rowhouse roofs in Washington, DC
Many D.C. rowhouses have flat or low-slope roofs with good sun. Before solar goes on, we check the membrane, the drains and slope, the parapet walls and the flashing, because those are the parts that will sit under the panels for years.
Historic districts
In D.C.'s historic districts, solar panels visible from the street can need review by the city's Historic Preservation Office. On many flat rowhouse roofs, panels set behind the parapet are out of view, and we plan the layout with that in mind.
What to ask a solar company in Washington, DC
Ask who checks the roof, who seals the roof mounts, and what happens if the roof leaks around a mount later. Ask how the system is sized to your electric use, and what permits, inspections and utility approval are needed before it turns on.
D.C. has its own solar programs and incentives, and they change over time. Ask what currently applies to your home.
