Solar panels on your Perth roof: sort the roof first
Perth loves solar — but panels last 25 years, so the roof underneath them needs to as well. Here’s why roof health comes first.
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If you’re adding solar in Perth, deal with the roof first. Solar panels last around 25 years, so it makes no sense to bolt them onto a tired roof that needs a restoration or re-roof in five. Restoring or repairing the roof before installation saves the cost and hassle of removing and refitting panels later.
Perth is a solar city — but the roof comes first
Perth has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar in the world, and for good reason — the sunshine is abundant and the savings are real. But solar panels are a long-term fixture, typically warranted for around 25 years, and they’re fixed directly to your roof. That makes the condition of the roof underneath them a critical, and often overlooked, first question.
Put simply: the roof needs to last as long as the panels. Installing solar on a roof that’s due for restoration is building on a foundation that’s about to need work.
Why restoring first saves money
If a tired roof needs restoring or re-roofing after the panels are already up, the panels usually have to be removed and refitted to do the job properly — an added cost and hassle you’d rather avoid. Sorting the roof first — a clean, repairs, re-point and re-coat, or a re-roof if it’s genuinely needed — means the panels go onto a roof that’s good for the long haul.
It’s the same logic as painting a wall before hanging shelves on it: do the surface work first, then fix the fittings.
Get the roof checked before you commit
Before booking a solar install, get a roof inspection. It’ll tell you whether the roof is sound enough to carry panels for the next couple of decades, or whether a restoration or repair should come first. Catching a tired roof at this stage is far cheaper than discovering it after the panels are installed.
Panels, leaks and roof penetrations
Solar mounting involves fixing brackets through the roof, so quality installation and flashing matter — poorly sealed penetrations are a source of leaks down the track. A sound, well-maintained roof gives the installer a solid base to fix to, and makes future roof maintenance around the panels simpler. If you do get a leak near panels later, it often traces back to the roof or the penetrations rather than the panels themselves.
The sensible order of works
The tidy sequence is simple: inspect the roof, restore or repair it if needed, then install the solar. Done in that order, you get decades of clean energy on a roof that’s ready for it — rather than a costly reshuffle a few years in. If you’re planning solar, talk to us about the roof first; a quick inspection now can save a lot later.
Frequently asked questions
Should I restore my roof before installing solar panels?
Yes — panels last around 25 years, so restore or repair a tired roof first to avoid removing and refitting panels for roof work later.
Can solar panels cause roof leaks?
Poorly sealed mounting penetrations can — quality installation and flashing on a sound roof prevent it.
Should I get my roof inspected before solar?
Definitely — an inspection confirms the roof can carry panels for the long term, or flags work to do first.
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