Solar Roofing Company: How to Launch Your Dual-Service Firm

According to IBISWorld, the established roofing industry in the U.S. is valued at approximately $50 billion. However, as a relatively mature sector, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth in roofing to be around 6% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the national average for most occupations.

Solar roofing installation is expanding quickly, and roofing professionals already have many of the core skills solar roofing companies need. Structural assessment, flashing, shingle work, weatherproofing, and working at heights translate directly into PV system installation.

Because of this overlap, many roofing and solar companies train crews to become solar roofing contractors or solar roof installers without starting from zero. These transferable skills make it easier for a roofer to move into the solar roofing market, take on higher-value projects, and position themselves as a full-service roofing and solar contractor.

These market shifts are driving more roofing professionals to expand into dual-service roles as solar roofing contractors. Offering both roofing and solar installation helps contractors stay competitive and meet growing demand for full-service solar roof installers.

Why Roofers Should Consider the Solar Roofing Market

Many businesses diversify their offerings—either to reach a larger market or to hedge their bets in a rapidly changing world. Expanding your service offerings always carries potential benefits.

However, the unique alignment between roofing and solar installation delivers several advantages that go far beyond simple diversification for solar roofing contractors:

• Structural Expertise and Pre-Screening: Roofers are inherently qualified to assess a customer’s roof's structural integrity, instantly determining whether the property is a viable candidate for a PV system. In fact, many dedicated PV solar installer companies must hire certified roofers to perform structural analyses on older rooftops, providing you with a built-in advantage.

• Built-in Customer Conversion: Roofers are uniquely positioned to convert potential solar customers. Traditional PV installers spend considerable time and money booking on-site property inspections, but you are already there, interfacing with solar prospects in person. This makes the conversion process dramatically easier—whether your goal is to design a new roof with solar panels or retrofit an older home as a solar roofing specialist.

• Operational Readiness & Permitting: Roofers already possess most of the safety gear and access equipment required for working at height. Furthermore, experienced contractors are intimately familiar with the complex permitting, inspection, and approval processes that accompany home construction and re-roofing, smoothing the path for solar roofing installation.

Against this backdrop, it’s clear that businesses offering comprehensive roofing and solar services have a huge, competitive advantage over companies that specialize in only one discipline.

Ways To Start as a Solar Roofing Contractor

Solar power is largely an unregulated industry, meaning anyone can legally install PV panels on a rooftop. There are even home solar kits designed for the DIY crowd. However, connecting PV systems to the utility grid requires having an electrical license in your state. In addition, there are industry-recommended training and accreditation guidelines – like those provided by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

While it’s possible to secure these credentials and begin offering solar installations right away, many roofers choose to ease into the industry. Below are some common strategies for testing the solar roofing market to see if it’s a good fit for your business:

1. Implement Solar Lead Generation

When you are already in the field conducting roofing inspections or making repairs, you can easily discuss the benefits of solar energy with your customers. When homeowners show interest, you can sell these warm solar leads to reputable PV installation partners in your service area.

Remember that most PV contractors are dying to get their hands on qualified prospects. Solar lead generation is arguably the lowest-touch way to jump into the industry. As an added benefit, you stand a better chance of becoming the roofing contractor on call whenever PV installers need a professional to conduct structural analyses of roofs.

2. Strategic Partnerships for Installation

Once you have a better feel for market demand in your area, another great strategy involves purchasing PV equipment from wholesalers or your existing solar installation partners. You can then manage the sale and equipment, and outsource new installations to contractors who have the necessary solar licensing requirements to grid-connect the solar systems.

Permit Design Services

3. Offer Roofing And Solar As Core Services

The final step is to offer roofing and solar panel installations as core, in-house services. Making this transition to being a fully certified solar roofing contractor typically requires securing electrical certification. And though optional, comprehensive solar installation training programs are highly recommended to establish your expertise.

If the market demand is clear, becoming a fully certified solar installer is a justifiable expense. And in fact, not offering this service could severely limit your growth in a market that’s only expected to increase 2% over the next decade.

Important Considerations For Becoming a Solar and Roofing Company

Whether you’re still on the fence about transitioning to a full-service solar roofing company or are already sold on the idea, below are a few important considerations that should factor into your long-term planning:

1. Know Your State’s Laws And Get Certified

Adding solar to your portfolio will help you reach a larger audience. But, the installation industry itself is becoming increasingly saturated. One of the best ways to distinguish your offerings as a contractor is to become a licensed solar installer in your state.

If your initial forays into the solar industry prove successful, it’s worth starting the certification process as early as possible. That way, you can move more swiftly from selling leads to converting leads.

2. Understand The Overlap of Roofing And Solar Warranties

Although most solar panels have a 25-year production warranty, installing new PV systems can sometimes inadvertently void a homeowner’s existing roofing warranty. Conversely, performing roof repairs on homes with existing solar arrays can sometimes void the panel manufacturer’s or original solar installer’s warranty protection.

Combining roofing and solar installations under one banner allows you to expertly navigate this tricky terrain. You can offer a single, unified, and more comprehensive solar installation warranty covering both the roof structure and the PV system, making your offering significantly more attractive to the homeowner and limiting their future liability concerns.

3. Create Roofing and Solar Marketing Materials

Because you already interface with roofing customers, you have a built-in advantage when convincing homeowners to go solar. But it’s important you walk into these on-site inspections with updated marketing materials outlining how solar panels work and what benefits they provide once installed – from utility bills savings to carbon offsets to property value increases.

Crucially, these materials must convey why your integrated solar roofing company is the right choice. This is the perfect opportunity to highlight key credentials like your roofing expertise, specialized solar training, and your comprehensive warranty coverage.

Becoming a Solar and Roofing Company

The roofing industry is already competitive. And with low growth opportunities, it will only become harder to protect dwindling margins. Expanding into solar is a no-brainer given the huge growth potential as more homeowners transition away from fossil fuels to clean sunshine. In addition, you already have boots on the roof – not to mention extensive knowledge of the permits and safety regulations involved with home construction projects.

Simply put, adding solar energy to your services represents a fantastic opportunity to generate more business, future-proof your operations, and do something positive for the planet.