Key takeaways
- The DOE says solar panels typically do well on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, and that excessive tree shade can make a roof unsuitable.
- Ask the installer for a shade analysis, and show the arborist which trees are in question.
- Trees keep growing, so look at the tree's size in ten or twenty years, not today.
- Do not top a tree to clear a panel. Topping hurts trees and does not hold.
Solar and trees are both good things, and they do not always share a roof well. The cheapest time to decide between them is before the panels go on.
How much do trees matter for solar?
The Department of Energy's homeowner guide says panels are built for all climates, but in some cases rooftops may not be suitable because of age or tree cover. It says that if trees near your home create excessive shade on the roof, rooftop panels may not be a good fit. Roof size, shape and slope matter too. Typically panels do well on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees.
The DOE advises working with a solar professional for a custom estimate. That professional can measure how much shade falls on each part of the roof through the day and the seasons.
Should the tree be pruned or removed?
It depends on what the tree is. A healthy, valuable tree with a few branches in the sun path may be a pruning job. A tree that is dead, declining, structurally weak or too big for its spot may be a removal job whether or not you install panels. The ISA says removal is recommended when a tree is dead, dying or irreparably hazardous, or is causing an obstruction that pruning cannot fix, and that no live branch should be removed without a reason.
A good plan comes from the tree first and the solar second. A certified arborist can say how the tree is likely to grow. Our arborist consultation covers this, and crown thinning, raising and reduction explains the pruning terms.
Why not just top the tree?
Topping removes the top of the tree to cut height fast. It leaves large wounds and weakly attached regrowth, and the height comes back. The ISA publishes a brochure on why topping hurts trees, and our guide explains why topping a tree is not pruning.
If a tree must be much smaller to clear panels, removal and replacement with a smaller species is often the better path.
What should I ask before I sign?
Ask the installer whether the shade analysis covers the whole year and how the design accounts for tree growth. Ask the arborist which trees must stay, which can be pruned and what the pruning would look like. Get both in writing. If a tree is on a neighbor's property or the city right-of-way, the answer is not yours alone. See HOA tree rules and permits in Northern Nevada.
- Shade analysis for the full year
- Tree growth over the life of the system
- Who owns each tree and who can approve work
- HOA or city rules that apply
How do I get started?
Call 775.232.8243 for a free estimate and tell the office the trees are near planned solar. We prune, trim, remove and grind stumps. We do not install panels or advise on solar design.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar (read October 17, 2026)
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Mature Tree Care (brochure) (read October 17, 2026)
- International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Pruning Young Trees (brochure) (read October 17, 2026)