Solar Roofing Los Angeles
Solar panels go on your roof. Who installs them matters more than which panels you choose. We are roofers first, solar installers second. Your roof integrity is our priority.
Why Should a Roofing Company Install Your Solar Panels Instead of a Solar Company?
Because solar panels are mounted on your roof, and your roof is the most important protective layer of your home. Solar-only companies are experts in electrical systems and panel efficiency. They are not experts in roofing. When they drill mounting brackets through your roof deck, they are creating penetrations that must be properly flashed and sealed to prevent leaks—and that is roofing work.
We see the consequences of improper solar installation every week in Los Angeles. Roof leaks under solar arrays. Cracked and broken tiles from installers walking on the roof incorrectly. Voided roof warranties because the solar company used unapproved mounting methods. Rotted roof decking discovered during solar removal that went unnoticed for years because the panels hid the damage.
Roof Warranty Protection
We understand every manufacturer's warranty requirements and install solar using methods that maintain full warranty coverage. Solar-only companies often void your roof warranty without knowing it.
Proper Roof Penetration Flashing
Every bolt that goes through your roof is a potential leak. We flash every penetration with the same precision and materials we use on any roofing project. This is what we do every day.
Roof Condition Assessment
Before installing solar, we inspect your roof thoroughly. If your roof needs repair or replacement, we handle it first—saving you the cost and hassle of removing panels later.
Material Expertise
Clay tile, concrete tile, asphalt shingle, metal, flat roof—each material requires different mounting methods. We know every roof type in Los Angeles because we install and repair them all.
Combo Savings
Need a new roof AND solar? We do both in a single project, saving you time, money, and the headache of coordinating two different contractors.
Long-Term Relationship
When your roof needs maintenance in 10 years, we are the same company that installed your solar AND your roof. One call handles everything.
SoCal Wholesale Roofing has been a licensed roofing contractor in Los Angeles since our first roofing job in 1991. We added solar installation to our services because we saw too many roofs damaged by solar companies who did not understand roofing. Every solar installation we do starts with a complete roof assessment—because the best solar system in the world is worthless on a failing roof.
What Solar Roofing Services Does SoCal Wholesale Roofing Offer?
We offer three core solar roofing services in Los Angeles. Each one is designed around protecting your roof while maximizing your solar investment:
New Solar Panel Installation
Complete solar panel system design and installation on your existing roof. We assess your roof condition, design a system sized to your energy needs, handle permitting, install panels with proper roofing-grade flashing, connect the electrical system, and coordinate utility interconnection. Every installation is done by licensed roofers who understand how to protect your roof while mounting a solar array.
What is included:
- Free roof inspection and solar assessment
- Custom system design based on your energy usage and roof layout
- All permitting and HOA coordination
- Roofing-grade flashing and waterproofing on every penetration
- Electrical wiring, inverter installation, and utility interconnection
- System monitoring setup
- 25-year panel warranty + 10-year workmanship warranty
Solar Remove and Replace (R&R)
If your roof needs repair or replacement and you already have solar panels, we handle the entire process: carefully removing your panels, completing the roof work, and reinstalling your existing solar system. This is one of our most requested services because solar-only companies typically do not do roofing work, and most roofing companies do not handle solar.
What is included:
- Careful solar panel removal and safe storage
- Complete roof repair or replacement
- Solar system reinstallation on the new roof
- Electrical reconnection and system testing
- Single point of contact for the entire project
- Warranty on all roofing AND solar work
Roof + Solar Combo Package
The smartest way to go solar in Los Angeles. Get a new roof and a new solar system installed in a single coordinated project. This eliminates the risk of needing to remove panels for future roof work, ensures your roof warranty and solar warranty are both intact, and saves you significant money compared to doing the projects separately.
What is included:
- New roof with your choice of materials and manufacturer warranty
- Solar system designed specifically for your new roof layout
- Single mobilization—one crew, one timeline, one project manager
- Maximum energy efficiency from day one
- Combined financing available
- Best value: save $2,000–$5,000 vs doing projects separately
Can Solar Panels Be Installed on Every Roof Type in Los Angeles?
Yes—but each roof type requires different mounting methods, and getting it wrong causes leaks, broken materials, and voided warranties. Here is how we handle solar installation on every roof type in Los Angeles:
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
The most straightforward solar installation. Lag bolts through the roof deck into rafters, sealed with roofing-grade flashing boots and sealant. The shingles around each penetration are carefully lifted and re-sealed. This is the most common roof type for solar in the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, and Burbank.
Learn more about this roofing material →Clay Tile Roofs
Requires tile hooks or comp-out method. Tile hooks slide under tiles to connect to mounting rails without drilling through the tile. The comp-out method replaces tiles in the solar array area with flat composite material, which is structurally simpler but changes the appearance under the panels. Very common in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and the Westside.
Learn more about this roofing material →Concrete Tile Roofs
Similar to clay tile installation but concrete tiles are heavier and more brittle. We use specialized tile hooks designed for concrete tile profiles. Careful walking technique is critical—every broken tile is a potential leak point. Common throughout Los Angeles County.
Learn more about this roofing material →Metal Roofs
Solar on standing seam metal roofs uses non-penetrating clamps that attach directly to the seams—no holes drilled through the roof at all. This is the ideal roof type for solar. On other metal roof types (corrugated, metal shingle), brackets are fastened through the metal with proper sealant.
Learn more about this roofing material →Flat Roofs (TPO, Modified Bitumen)
Solar panels on flat roofs are typically mounted on ballasted or mechanically attached racking systems that tilt panels to optimal angle. Flat roofs are common on mid-century modern homes in the Westside, Downtown LA, and commercial buildings throughout Los Angeles County.
How Much Does Solar Installation Cost in Los Angeles?
Solar costs depend on system size, roof type, panel brand, and whether you also need roof work. Here are typical costs for solar roofing services in Los Angeles:
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Solar System (5–7 kW) | $15,000–$22,000 | Before tax credits. Typical for 1,500–2,000 sq ft homes. |
| New Solar System (8–12 kW) | $22,000–$35,000 | Before tax credits. Larger homes, higher energy usage. |
| Federal Tax Credit (ITC) | 30% of system cost | Currently 30% through 2032. Reduces net cost significantly. |
| Solar Remove & Replace | $2,000–$5,000 | Panel removal, storage, and reinstallation. |
| Roof + Solar Combo | $25,000–$55,000 | New roof + solar. Save $2K–$5K vs separate projects. |
| Battery Storage (Tesla Powerwall) | $8,000–$15,000 | Per battery. Backup power + peak rate avoidance. |
| Solar Panel Critter Guard | $500–$1,500 | Mesh barrier prevents birds/squirrels nesting under panels. |
| Solar Panel Cleaning | $150–$350 | Professional cleaning. Restores 5–15% lost efficiency. |
As a wholesale roofing company, we pass our material cost savings directly to you. Combined with the 30% federal tax credit and California incentives, solar is more affordable than most homeowners expect.
Need financing? We offer flexible financing options for solar and roofing projects. Go solar with zero money down and pay over time.
What Are the Biggest Solar Installation Mistakes Homeowners Make in Los Angeles?
Going solar is a great decision. Making these mistakes turns a great decision into an expensive headache:
- Installing solar on an old roof — if your roof is more than 10–15 years old, you will likely need to remove the panels for a roof replacement within the solar system lifespan. That remove-and-replace costs $2,000–$5,000+ and could have been avoided by replacing the roof first.
- Hiring a solar company that subcontracts the roofing work — subcontracted roofers have no relationship with the solar company and no accountability for long-term roof performance. When a leak appears two years later, the solar company blames the roofer and the roofer is long gone.
- Not checking roof warranty implications — some solar mounting methods void your roof manufacturer warranty. If your roofer does not know the specific warranty requirements for your shingles or tiles, your warranty coverage disappears the moment the first bolt goes in.
- Choosing the cheapest installer — solar installation is a 25–30 year commitment. The cheapest installer often uses the cheapest mounting hardware, the cheapest flashing, and the least experienced crews. One roof leak can cost more than the entire price difference.
- Leasing instead of buying — leased solar systems typically reduce home value, complicate home sales, and cost more over the long term than purchased systems. If you can buy or finance, it is almost always the better financial decision.
- Skipping battery storage on SCE rate plans — with NEM 3.0 reducing export credits for SCE customers, battery storage is essential to maximize savings. A battery lets you store daytime solar energy and use it during expensive peak evening hours instead of selling it back at a fraction of the cost.
Avoid these mistakes. Start with a free roof and solar assessment from a company that understands both. Request your free assessment today.
How Does Solar Affect Your Roof Warranty?
Solar installation creates penetrations in your roof. How those penetrations are made and sealed determines whether your roof warranty remains valid. Here is what the major manufacturers say about solar:
- GAF — allows solar installation on roofs with active warranties when installed using GAF-approved methods and materials. Their DecoTech solar system integrates directly into the roof for seamless coverage. Standard solar installations must use approved flashing.
- Owens Corning — permits solar installation provided that penetrations are properly flashed and sealed by a qualified roofing professional. Warranty coverage remains intact when installation follows their guidelines.
- CertainTeed — offers their own Solstice solar panel system designed to integrate with CertainTeed roofing products. Third-party solar installations must use proper flashing to maintain warranty coverage.
- Malarkey — requires that any roof penetrations, including solar mounting, be properly flashed according to industry standards to maintain warranty coverage.
The common thread: proper flashing by a qualified roofer. That is exactly what we provide. Every solar installation we do maintains your roof manufacturer warranty because we follow their specifications exactly.
Learn more about warranty protection: GAF · Owens Corning · CertainTeed · Malarkey
Where Do We Install Solar Panels in Los Angeles?
We install solar systems and provide solar roofing services throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. Our roofing and solar crews serve:
View all service locations or request a free solar + roof assessment.
Go Solar the Right Way. Start With the Roof.
Solar panels installed by licensed roofers who understand your roof inside and out.
New installations. Remove and replace. Roof + solar combos. Wholesale pricing. First roofing job in 1991.
Get a Free Solar + Roof AssessmentFrequently Asked Questions
If your roof is more than 10–15 years old or has existing damage, we strongly recommend replacing it before solar installation. Removing and reinstalling solar panels for a future roof replacement costs $2,000–$5,000+ and voids some solar warranties. A new roof under solar panels can last 30+ years maintenance-free.