Solar Panels and Your Roof Warranty: What Winchester Homeowners Should Know

More homeowners around Winchester and the Shenandoah Valley are asking us about solar, and the questions usually come down to one thing: “If I put panels on my roof, am I going to regret it?”

It’s a fair question. We used to answer it more cautiously than we needed to. A decade ago, shingle manufacturers were wary of rooftop solar, and our wording reflected that. Installation methods have improved a lot since then, and so have the manufacturers’ positions. This post covers where things stand today, using the manufacturers’ own documents, so you can make the call with real information.

The short answer

Solar panels won’t void your shingle warranty. Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning, the two manufacturers we install, keep their shingle warranties in effect when solar is added. What changes is who’s responsible for the parts of the roof the solar installer touches. That’s the detail worth understanding before you sign anything.

What Owens Corning says

Owens Corning addresses solar directly in a technical bulletin titled “Warranty Coverage of Owens Corning Shingles and Solar Panel Systems.” It states that the Owens Corning roof system “is fully compatible with properly installed systems,” and that warranty coverage remains in full effect underneath solar panels.

The bulletin also spells out the limits. The racking, mounts and panels aren’t Owens Corning products, so Owens Corning doesn’t warrant them. Damage to the roof during the solar installation isn’t considered a manufacturing defect, and it’s excluded from Owens Corning’s contractor workmanship warranties. And if you ever file a valid shingle claim, Owens Corning won’t pay to remove and replace the solar panels to make the repair.

According to Owens Corning, the installer needs to protect the roof surface during the work and follow both Owens Corning’s installation instructions and the mount manufacturer’s.

What CertainTeed says

CertainTeed doesn’t publish a solar-specific bulletin, but its 2026 asphalt shingle limited warranty covers the same ground. The warranty excludes damage caused by alterations, additions or equipment installed on the building after the shingles go on. Its examples are things like aerials and air-conditioning equipment, and solar mounts fall into the same category. It also excludes damage from installation that doesn’t follow CertainTeed’s published instructions.

One line in the CertainTeed warranty surprises most people. The cost of removing and replacing anything installed over the shingles, and the warranty names solar panels, satellite dishes and gardens specifically, is the property owner’s responsibility. So even if a shingle fails because of a true manufacturing defect, the labor to pull and reset your panels comes out of your pocket.

So who covers a leak around the panels?

In most cases, the solar installer. Every roof penetration for a solar mount is a spot where water could get in if the flashing isn’t done right. Since neither manufacturer covers the installation work, the solar company’s workmanship warranty is what protects you there. That makes it one of the most important parts of any solar contract, and one of the least read.

Should you replace your roof first?

If your roof is getting up there in age, probably. The U.S. Department of Energy advises homeowners who expect to need a new roof within the next few years to consider doing that before going solar. DOE also notes that solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, which is close to the life of a new roof. Installing panels on a 15 or 18 year old roof means you’ll likely pay to have them removed and reinstalled when that roof wears out, on top of the cost of the roof itself.

Here in the Valley, where hot summers, freeze and thaw cycles and the occasional hailstorm all take a toll on shingles, we recommend a roof inspection before any solar contract. If your roof has plenty of life left, great. If it doesn’t, replacing it first is usually the cheaper path over the life of the system. Our cost guide for new roofs in Winchester can help you budget for both.

Questions to ask any solar installer before you sign

A good installer will be glad to answer these, ideally in writing:

1. What mount and flashing system do you use, and is it installed to my shingle manufacturer’s instructions?
2. Do you attach mounts into the rafters or directly to the roof deck?
3. What does your leak and workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
4. If my roof ever needs repair or replacement, what do you charge to remove and reinstall the panels?
5. Are you licensed in Virginia, and are your installers NABCEP certified?

The Department of Energy recommends choosing a qualified, insured installer with NABCEP certification, which is the solar industry’s standard credential, and getting at least three comparable bids. You can check any contractor’s Virginia license through the DPOR license lookup.

A note on the federal tax credit

If you’ve heard about the 30% federal solar tax credit, know that the Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for homeowner-owned systems installed after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS. Leases and power purchase agreements work differently, so if a solar company’s pitch leans on tax savings, run the numbers with your tax professional before you sign.

Where we fit in

If you’re thinking about solar or have questions, give us a call before you sign anything. The roof is the foundation of every rooftop solar system, and planning the two together is the best way to avoid paying for the same work twice.

Here’s what we can do. We’ll inspect your roof for free before you commit to solar and give you an honest answer about how much life it has left. If it needs replacing, we’ll install it to CertainTeed and Owens Corning specifications, so your solar installer is starting with a solid foundation. And if you already have solar and notice a problem, call us. We’ll come out, figure out whether it’s a shingle issue, something related to our work, or something from the solar installation, and help you get it resolved either way.

Schedule a free roof inspection or call us at 540-315-1125.

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