Quotes, contracts and finance
Will solar panels damage my roof?
The short answer
A correctly flashed mount should not leak, and leaks at mounts are one of the most common complaints in this trade because the detailing is skipped or done badly. Establish in writing, before installation, that the workmanship warranty covers roof penetrations and for how long.
What good detailing looks like
- Mounts attached into rafters, located properly rather than into the sheathing alone.
- Flashing integrated under the shingle course above, not sealant applied on top of the roof surface.
- Sealant used as a supplement to a mechanical flashing, never as the flashing itself.
- Wire management that keeps cabling off the roof surface, where it abrades and holds debris.
The responsibility gap
When a leak appears at a mount, the solar company and the roofer can each point at the other. Close that gap before installation: get the solar workmanship warranty to state that it covers penetrations, and check whether your existing roof warranty is affected by the installation. Both answers are easy to obtain before the work and hard to obtain afterwards.
If the roof is within a few years of replacement, replace it first. Removing and reinstalling an array costs substantially more than the sequencing saved.
Also asked
Does solar void my roof warranty?
It can, depending on the roof warranty's terms and who performs the penetrations. Some manufacturers and roofing contractors have specific requirements. Ask the roofing warranty provider before the install rather than the solar salesperson, because it is their document.
General information about solar and about hiring, not advice about your roof or your tax affairs. Incentives, net metering and contractor licensing are set federally, by state, and by your utility, and all of them change. The authority that publishes the rule is the current answer.