Solar Panels on 15-year-old roof

[Steve Miklashevskiy]

Working with a buyer (I’m in New Jersey, cover most of Bergen and Hudson County) and we found a great house in Lodi 5BR 2.5BA - all boxes check out for my clients, except for the solar panels. They aren’t too crazy about solar panels, plus the roof is AT LEAST 15 years old (the seller’s husband passed away and she doesn’t know when the roof was replaced). My buyers know they will need to replace the roof at some point and they don’t want to take on the additional cost of removing the panels and placing them back after the roof has been replaced. The seller refuses to remove the solar panels (5 years left on the lease).

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation and if so, how did you handle it?

[Don Gouge]

First thing is that it sounds like your clients are better off to pass on this house unless the seller gives a very large price reduction. Depending upon the style of roof and the shingles used, most roofs have a pretty predictable life span. An example is that these so called 20 year shingles really need replacing after about 17 years. Overhanging trees and attic ventilation are also factors in shingle life.

  Go to the building permit office that governs the area where the house is located and ask to see the records of permits acquired for the house. There should be one for the reroofing. With this you should be able to get a very good idea of remaining life expectancy based upon the historical life span of these brand of shingles.