How to Make Solar Panels Look Good on Your Home Exterior
Smart Design Tips for a Sleek, Solar-Ready Home
Solar energy is booming in Pennsylvania—and it’s easy to see why. Homeowners are looking for ways to cut utility costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and invest in long-term efficiency. But for all the benefits solar panels bring, one concern still lingers for many: How will they look on my home?
At Primex Exterior Solutions, we don’t install solar panels but specialize in helping homeowners make their entire exterior work together in harmony. If you’re planning to add solar (or already have), we’re here to help you make smart design and material choices that enhance your home’s appearance, not take away from it.
Here’s how to make solar panels look
intentional—and how roofing, siding, trim, and even deck design can help tie everything together.
Start With the Right Roofing Material
If you’re thinking about going solar and are due for a new roof, start there. Your roof is the foundation for any solar installation, both functionally and aesthetically.
Metal roofing is the top choice for solar compatibility and visual appeal.
Here’s why:
1. Long-Term Durability
Metal roofs last 40–70 years, making them ideal for solar panel systems designed to last 25+ years. You won’t have to worry about tearing off your roof halfway through your solar panel’s lifespan.
2. Cleaner Installation
Standing seam metal roofs allow solar panels to be mounted using clamps—no drilling required. That means fewer roof penetrations, less risk of leaks, and a sleeker finished look.
3. A Modern, Clean Aesthetic
Solar panels pair naturally with the clean lines of a standing seam metal roof. The uniformity helps the panels “blend in” rather than look bolted on as an afterthought. Plus, metal roofs come in colors like matte black or charcoal that match panel frames and make the whole roof system look seamless.
If you have an asphalt roof and aren’t ready to upgrade, that’s okay—but consider a high-definition shingle in a darker tone to help minimize contrast with the panels.
Coordinate Your Exterior Color Palette
What is the biggest design mistake homeowners make with solar panels? Ignoring the color story of their home. Your exterior can look disjointed if you have white siding, a brown roof, and jet-black solar panels.
Instead, take a whole-home approach. Work with an exterior contractor like Primex to coordinate the look:
- Roof: Choose dark, uniform tones like black, charcoal, or slate that echo the color of solar panels.
- Siding: Pair dark panels with cool-toned siding—grays, deep blues, or off-whites—for a sophisticated contrast.
- Trim and Accents: Black trim or aluminum details can help reinforce a cohesive color palette and echo the solar panel hardware.
This doesn’t mean you have to go ultra-modern. Even traditional homes can look great with solar, as long as the details are intentional.
Reimagine Your Roofline
If you're adding solar to a new construction or considering a re-roof and solar combo, you can take design a step further by integrating solar into your home’s architecture.
- Simple rooflines (like single ridges or gables) are best for solar layout and aesthetics.
- Avoid overly complex, multi-faceted roofs where panels are scattered across various pitches and angles.
- Consider solar placement on a single, south-facing slope for symmetry and efficiency.
Primex can help simplify or update your roofline design as part of a larger exterior renovation.
Upgrade Your Exterior Features to Match
To make solar panels feel like part of your home rather than a bolt-on, look beyond the roof. Think about how your siding, decking, trim, and exterior details can work together to elevate your curb appeal.
Here’s how:
Decks and Porches
A modern deck with sleek black railings or natural wood tones can create a clean visual base that complements your panels. If you’re going with composite materials, consider matching darker tones that play well with black panel frames.
Trim and Gutters
Upgrading to black or bronze gutters and trim gives your exterior a polished look that aligns with the aesthetic of solar panels. These small touches can make a huge difference in how “finished” your roofline looks.
Timber Framing and Architectural Details
A well-designed timber porch or pergola can help ground your home visually and balance the modern edge of solar. Exposed wood beams add texture and warmth that offset the clean, high-tech look of panels.
Think of Solar as a Design Feature, Not an Obstacle
If you're planning a home exterior upgrade, think of solar as part of the design conversation from the beginning.
When you work with a contractor like Primex, we’ll help you:
- Choose the right roof material and color
- Align your exterior palette for visual cohesion
- Make smart upgrades to siding, decking, and trim
- Prepare your home for solar in a way that looks good now, and later
Even if you're not installing solar for another year or two, it’s smart to make design decisions today that will set you up for success down the road.
Ready to Elevate Your Home Exterior?
Whether you're prepping for solar or want an exterior that looks fresh, modern, and future-ready, Primex Exterior Solutions is here to help.
Serving State College, Lancaster, Reading, and beyond, our team specializes in full exterior remodeling—from roofs and siding to decks, timber framing, and custom trim work.
Let’s design a home that works beautifully with solar and looks great every season.
Contact Primex Today for a Free Exterior Design Consultation.
Let’s create a home exterior that makes your solar investment shine.
