Solar Photovoltaic Ready Roof

Preparing a Roof for a Future Solar Installation

Sustainability and Green Building
Contact: Anna Stern
astern@nahb.org
(202) 266-8325

Solar Toolkit Intro Collaboration

If it’s not possible to add solar photovoltaics (PV) on a new build, whether it be for financial reasons, lack of customer desire, or limited availability of qualified solar installers in the area, providing a client with a solar PV ready roof can provide benefits at a later point in time. For instance, taking measures during the design process to incorporate features for a solar PV ready roof has the potential to minimize significant costs down the line. In one scenario modeled by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), employing solar ready roof measures during initial construction cost 60% less than they would after construction completion.

By planning for a few inexpensive adjustments during the design phase to allow for a future solar PV system, home owners may be able to benefit from saving money on retrofits, builders can provide their customers with a low-cost option to upgrade their home, and solar installers and manufacturers could potentially profit from upcoming market commitment.