Benn,
In Florida generally speaking, the average life for a composite shingle roof is 20 years even though the manufacturer often provides a 25-40 year shingle warranty.
So far the only roof system that I have run into with a useful life equal to or greater than the useful life of a PV module is a heavy gauge metal roof 35-50 years.
FL tile roofs need to have the torchdown membrane replaced every 20-25 years. TPO/PVC/EPDM only last around 20 years. Light gauge metal roofs last 20-25 years before rusting/corroding, some may not even last that long.
So my humble opinion is that unless you are installing a PV system on a new heavy gauge metal roof or another roof type with a known useful life that is equal to or greater than the life of the module/attachment method used, then the removal and replacement of the PV array including the cost of the attachments/flashings and storage of the modules (if it is a large system) should be factored into the lifetime cost.
Also, if you have a 50 year roof, a 40 year module and a 10 year attachment/flashing method, we can all take a good guess at what the customer will be paying for in about 10 years, so in my mind I think that this should be disclosed to the customer as well.
Hopefully any grandfathering issues will have been resolved inexpensively by then with regards to obtaining a remove/reinstall permit if required, otherwise your lifecycle cost analysis may end with the removal of the PV system.
Hope this helps,
Jamie Johnson
NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Professional
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
General Manager
NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Professional
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
General Manager
SOLAR POWER ELECTRIC
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Re-shingling roof - Added "life cost"?
From: benn kilburn <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, October 19, 2011 5:17 pm
To: Wrenches <[email protected]>
Wrenches,So a follow/add-on up to the last post.....So do any of you add the cost of labour for removing and replacing a roof top array, to be included in the "life cost" of a PV system, since it is reasonable to assume that a well installed array will outlast any asphalt shingle roof, and re-shingling around the array is not recommended since no roofing company would warranty this work?Just as informing an off-grid client that the batteries will not last as long as the charge controllers/inverter/array, and will need to be upgraded from time to time, so it will be a system lifetime ongoing cost to consider.Thanks,benn
DayStar Renewable Energy Inc.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:03:49 -0600
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Re-shingling roof
Hey Wrenches,I know it has been discussed on this list, but i'm not having any luck finding any threads on how to deal with re-shingling an asphalt shingle roof with a PV array already on it.I have a potential client who is asking (somewhat concerned) about this scenario and i'm looking into what suggestions i can offer. Their roof is only 3-4 yrs old now.Depending on the condition of the roof when the system is installed, is re-shingling around the array an option, since it will have been somewhat protected from the sun/rain/snow? ... or is that just a bad idea and not something that should be suggested (re-shingling around the array)?If anyone can recall the name or date of a thread on this topic, i'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction. I'm sure i recall in one of these threads, WM talking about his custom(?) mounting method that allows for the array to be easily tilted up to allow access underneath.Thanks,
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