Roof-Ready Solar in Minnesota: A Practical Checklist for C&I Buildings

1) Know your structure and snow load

Pull original structural drawings early and confirm assumptions. Roofs must account for the greater of live load or calculated snow load, including drift near parapets and rooftop units. A solar array can change how snow collects. Small layout tweaks prevent blocked drains and mid-winter maintenance headaches.

What to capture: as-built drawings, roof framing type, deck thickness, parapet heights, RTU locations, known drift areas, and any previous structural modifications.

2) Check roof age, membrane type, and warranty

The array should not outlive the roof. If the roof has fewer than ten years left, consider a re-roof before or with the solar install. Coordinate with the membrane manufacturer so attachments, walk pads, and ballast are approved. Minnesota owners often use TPO or EPDM on low-slope roofs. A short call among your roofer, the membrane rep, and Greenway prevents surprises and preserves warranty.

3) Choose the right attachment strategy

Ballasted systems reduce penetrations but add weight. Attached systems reduce ballast but need careful detailing. In snow country, a blended approach often manages weight, wind, and drift best. Place walk pads for service routes and keep clear access to drains and RTUs. Label these in the drawings so they survive value engineering.

4) Electrical and interconnection basics

Verify service size, available capacity at the main, and the likely point of interconnection. Early coordination with your utility saves time. A short engineering call clarifies timelines, required protection equipment, and metering. That same call keeps your as-builts aligned with utility processes and avoids last-minute changes.

5) Plan for winter and shoulder seasons

Construction can continue in cold weather with the right sequence. Plan membrane work, set expectations for adhesives, and protect materials from the elements. Schedule commissioning when sensors and monitoring can be validated under real sun and temperature swings. Document safe snow removal rules so crews never use sharp tools near modules.

6) Minnesota-friendly incentives and financing

Most commercial projects use the federal investment tax credit and depreciation. Minnesota provides a sales-tax exemption on qualifying solar equipment, which lowers upfront cost for businesses. When projects include re-roofing or add storage, MinnPACE can offer long-term, fixed-rate financing repaid through the property-tax assessment. Many owners use it to keep cash flow positive and preserve bank lines. Greenway scopes both the electrical and roofing paths so you can evaluate these options together.

7) O&M that matches Midwest weather

Set a simple plan for inspections after major weather events. Check corners for uplift, look for snow blocking around drains, and log module damage after hail. Tie monitoring alerts to a clear ticketing process so someone owns investigation and resolution. A short seasonal checklist keeps performance steady through winter and spring thaw.

Why Greenway

Greenway is a Minnesota-based, full-service electrical contractor. We design and build solar, storage, EV charging, and smart panel upgrades for businesses across the Upper Midwest. Our team coordinates roof, structure, and solar as one package, then supports you with modeling and maintenance after commissioning. If you want a quick roof-readiness walk-through, send your roof age, membrane type, and a few photos. We will outline next steps that keep your project on schedule and code compliant.

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