Question 1

Why is the Roof cheaper when I buy Solar at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Because the overhead costs are shared, the soft costs are lowered (engineering fees, permits, taxes, etc.), and the roof and solar have a better lifetime match.  Additionally, when you have solar you are actually able to pay for the Roof and the Solar by the energy cost savings and rebates. Depending on your financing, you can get a roof for no upfront cost that will pay for itself (or more). If you are paying cash, the energy you produce makes returns on your cash investment.

Question 2

What’s the deal with a Metal Roof?

Accepted Answer

Metal roofs last longer (by 2-3x) for a lower lifetime cost.

They are 100% recyclable at the end of life, vs. asphalt shingle which is about 3 tons of landfill waste per home (11m tons of landfill waste in the US annually).  Metal roofs are a circular economy product.

They are not louder in the rain despite the myth.  When you have decking and insulation the noise is comparable to an asphalt (composition) shingle roof.

Metal roofs color and gloss match better to solar, for a more pleasing aesthetic.

Metal roof is lighter weight but it's more resistant to impact from things like hail and tree fall.

It's more energy efficient because it reflects more light than asphalt shingle. It's not made of oil like asphalt shingle.

A metal roof is better for water catchment than asphalt shingle because it is free of PFASs.

It has the same fire rating as asphalt shingle (Class A).

In short, the metal roof performs better in all the ways you want your roof to perform: lifetime cost, recyclability, aesthetics, durability, heat, water catchment, and fire.
 
We recommend getting a quote.  Even if you are not planning to stay in your house, its resale value will likely pay for the difference in cost, if not more.

Question 3

Why should I choose Amy’s Roofing and Solar?

Accepted Answer

Because we will always be honest and communicative, we have made a commitment to doing our job with integrity and we take good care of our employees.  We are an accountable, local, woman-owned mom and pop shop with a big vision for a sustainable future for the Bay Area and beyond.

Question 4

You are calling Solar an investment.  Why wouldn’t I just invest in the stock market?

Accepted Answer

Solar is a low risk way of investing in a clean carbon future. It also diversifies your assets.

Question 5

This seems too good to be true, why isn’t everyone else doing this?

Accepted Answer

Some people are! But most Roofers aren’t Solar Installers and most Solar Installers aren’t Roofers. We believe we are at the beginning of a wave of solar roofers because this model makes so much sense.
 
Roof+Solar is a triple win: you win because you save money by combining overhead and soft costs, we win because we get your business, and the community wins because you are now producing your own clean energy!
 
Our larger goal is to build this model to share with others to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Question 6

The other roofers quoted me for a 30, 40, and 50 year Roof.  Why didn’t you?

Accepted Answer

Generally, the materials are the same for the 30, 40, and 50 year roof and you are being sold a warranty which you will need to collect on when your roof fails. The money you will work to collect would be a depreciated value on the roof. A very small percentage of people (if any) actually collect on that warranty for a few reasons: 1. The home has changed ownership and either the warranty isn’t transferable or the new owners are not aware of it. Or 2. When ownership is the same, after 20 years they don’t want to go through the effort of collecting the amortized portion of the roof value. For these reasons we feel it is better to keep that money in your pocket. We can sell you the warranty if you want it, but we do not recommend it. More information on roofing warranties can be found here: consumer-advisory-bulletin-issue-1-Roof-System-Warranties.pdf.(https://nrcawebstorage.blob.core.windows.net/files/nrca_website/documents/technical/consumer-advisory-bulletin-issue-1-Roof-System-Warranties.pdf)
 
If you want a roof that will last 40-50 years, we recommend a metal roof and will be happy to give you a quote.  The Net Present Value (NPV) of a metal roof generally looks better than a shingle roof.  See also "What's the deal with a Metal Roof?" in the FAQ.

The metal shingle we use is StarlingRFS (roofing for solar).  It is the roofing part of a solar roofing system (and can be used as a roof alone).  You can find out more information about that product on the website: starlingrfs.com.(https://www.starlingrfs.com/)  Note- Starling RFS won the Department of Energy's American Made Solar Prize in 2021 for the impact Solar-Roofing can make in reaching the US clean energy commitments.  You can read more about the American Made Prizes here: https://americanmadechallenges.org (https://americanmadechallenges.org/)

Question 7

What incentives am I eligible for if I get solar or a battery?

Accepted Answer

We are glad you asked! You are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit.  You can take this next year on your taxes OR you can adjust your withholdings since you know exactly the amount of credit you will receive.  This way you can take your tax credit as monthly cashflow rather than waiting a year to get it.

If you get a battery, you are also eligible for the 30% tax credit. Also PGE and the State of California have allocated Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) rebate money (currently $350/kWh battery).  If you live in a low income area, high fire threat zone, or Native American land you may be eligible for a higher rebate (currently $850-$1000/ kWh).

Question 8

We are a non-profit/ we don't pay enough federal taxes... can I still get the 30% tax incentive?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  If you are a non-profit, you actually get a rebate instead of a credit! Congratulations!

If you are a business and you do not make enough money to pay federal taxes, you can actually sell your credits to someone else.  Please ask your accountant for more details.

If you do not pay enough federal taxes to use all of your tax credit this year, you can carry it forward as credit in future tax years. See https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit (https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit)

ROOFING FOR THE SOL

Frequently Asked Questions