Your roof type is one of the biggest variables in solar installation cost. Arizona homes primarily have three roof types — tile, shingle, and flat — and each affects installation differently. Here's what to know before you get quotes.
Roof Type Comparison
| Concrete Tile | Asphalt Shingle | Flat (Built-Up/TPO) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prevalence in AZ | Most common (~60%) | Common (~25%) | Less common (~15%) |
| Installation cost premium | +10-15% | Baseline (cheapest) | +5-10% |
| Installation time | 2-3 days | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Typical lifespan | 40-50 years | 15-25 years | 20-30 years |
| Leak risk during install | Low (tiles are removed/replaced) | Low (standard flashing) | Moderate (penetrations through membrane) |
| Panel performance | Standard (roof angle varies) | Standard (roof angle varies) | Optimal (tilt racks aim panels south) |
Concrete Tile Roofs (Most Common in Arizona)
Tile roofs dominate Arizona residential construction. They last 40-50 years and handle the desert heat well. But they add complexity and cost to solar installation because tiles must be removed and replaced around the mounting points.
How Solar Gets Installed on Tile
- Tiles are carefully removed from the mounting areas
- Mounting brackets (footings) are bolted directly to the roof decking
- Flashing is installed around each penetration point
- Tiles are cut or replaced to fit around the brackets
- Racking is attached to the brackets, panels mounted on the racking
Tile Roof Advantages
- • Roof will outlive the solar panels (40-50 yr lifespan)
- • No need to re-roof before installing solar
- • Tiles protect roof deck from UV, extending its life
Tile Roof Considerations
- • 10-15% cost premium ($2,500-$4,000 on typical system)
- • Tile breakage during install (good installers factor in replacements)
- • Harder to access panels for maintenance later
Tile Breakage Is Normal
Expect some tile breakage during installation — it's unavoidable when walking on and removing tiles. Reputable installers include tile replacement in their bid. Ask upfront how they handle broken tiles and what's covered in the warranty. If your roof has discontinued tiles, discuss color-matching before signing.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Shingle roofs are the easiest and cheapest for solar installation. Standard flashing and lag bolts create a secure, waterproof mount. No tiles to remove or replace.
Shingle Roof Advantages for Solar
- • Fastest installation (1-2 days typical)
- • Lowest installation cost (baseline pricing)
- • Simple mounting — standard flashings work well
- • Easy to access panels for maintenance
Critical: Check Your Roof Age
Shingle roofs in Arizona last 15-25 years (less than in cooler climates due to UV exposure). Solar panels last 25+ years. If your shingle roof is over 10-12 years old, consider replacing it before installing solar. Removing and reinstalling panels for a mid-life re-roof costs $2,000-$5,000.
Many installers offer bundle deals for roof replacement + solar installation. This can save 10-20% compared to doing them separately, and you get a single warranty for both. See our financing guide for ways to pay for a combined project.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs (common on mid-century and some modern Arizona homes) offer a unique advantage: panels can be mounted on tilt racks that aim them at the optimal angle for your latitude (~30-33° in the Phoenix metro). This can increase production by 5-10% compared to panels flush-mounted on a pitched roof that isn't south-facing.
Flat Roof Advantages
- • Optimal tilt angle = maximum production
- • Panels not visible from street (no HOA aesthetic issues)
- • Easy access for maintenance and cleaning
- • Ballasted systems available (no roof penetrations)
Flat Roof Considerations
- • Tilt racks add 5-10% to cost
- • Wind load requires stronger mounting or ballast
- • Spacing between rows reduces total panel count
- • Membrane penetrations need careful waterproofing
Ballasted vs Penetrating Mounts
Flat roofs can use ballasted systems — weighted racks that sit on the roof without bolting through the membrane. This eliminates leak risk from penetrations. However, ballasted systems are heavier and your roof structure must support the extra weight. Your installer will evaluate which approach works for your home.
Roof Orientation: Which Direction Is Best?
In Arizona, roof orientation affects how much power your panels produce:
| Orientation | Production vs South | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| South-facing | 100% (optimal) | Maximum total production |
| West-facing | 85-90% | Produces more during afternoon peak hours |
| East-facing | 80-85% | More morning production |
| North-facing | 55-65% | Avoid if possible — significant production loss |
West-facing roofs deserve special attention in Arizona. While they produce slightly less total energy than south-facing, they produce more during the afternoon peak hours (2-7 PM) when electricity costs the most under TOU plans. For APS customers on time-of-use pricing, west-facing panels can actually deliver more savings than south-facing in some cases. Try our Goodyear or Buckeye calculator to see APS savings.
Should You Re-Roof Before Installing Solar?
Tile roof under 30 years old: You have decades of life left. Install solar now.
Shingle roof under 8 years old: Enough life for solar panels without needing removal mid-life.
Shingle roof 8-15 years old: Get an inspection. If the shingles are in good condition, you may be fine. If there's visible wear, re-roof first.
Shingle roof over 15 years old: Re-roof first. The cost of removing and reinstalling panels later ($2,000-$5,000) makes it cheaper to do the roof now.
Flat roof with aging membrane: Get an inspection. TPO/EPDM membranes last 20-30 years. If yours is past 15, consider re-coating or replacing before solar goes on top.
Bottom Line
Every roof type in Arizona works for solar. Tile roofs (most common) add 10-15% to installation cost but last long enough that you'll never need to remove panels for a re-roof. Shingle roofs are cheapest to install on but may need replacement during the solar system's lifetime. Flat roofs offer optimal tilting but need careful waterproofing.
The most important thing is roof condition, not type. A 5-year-old shingle roof is better for solar than a 35-year-old tile roof with cracked tiles. Get a roof inspection as part of your solar evaluation — see our installation timeline guide for what to expect at each step.
Sources
- NREL — Best Practices for Solar Installation on Various Roof Types
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors — Roofing contractor requirements
- NREL PVWatts — Orientation and tilt production calculations for Phoenix, AZ