Do Solar Panels Damage Your Roof and Cause Roof Leaks? (2024)

For homeowners everywhere, one of the worst potential problems with solar panels on roofs is the damage caused by improper installation.

In the worst-case scenario, roof damage from solar panels can even lead to leaking within a home, which could cause further complications and safety concerns for the property and its inhabitants.

Most modern solar panel arrays utilize racking systems that require holes drilled directly into the roofing material. Given the possibility of costly property damage, it’s natural to wonder whether an installation is worth it.

Thankfully, roof leaks after installing solar energy systems are uncommon when working with reputable contractors. Although leaks can happen in extremely rare cases, long-standing solar companies with years of experience will only use high-quality materials and techniques to prevent damage from happening before it is too late.

So when it comes to solar panel installation problems, roof leaks occur occasionally but are far from commonplace in today’s competitive solar market. Below, we’ll explore common issues with poorly installed solar panels, why your roof leaks, and what you can do to prevent excessive damage to your home before and after an installation.

Can solar panels damage your roof?

Yes, unfortunately, if you choose to go solar with an unqualified or unlicensed solar installer in Florida, your roof may be damaged. That being said, modern technologies and installation techniques have eliminated the likelihood of problems with roof-mounted solar panels.

If you ask 100 people with PV systems, “Have solar panels ruined your roof?” we would be surprised to learn if more than one or two respondents have a bad experience to report. The truth is, any solar panel leaking is typically the result of an aging roof or a previously underlying issue that hadn’t been resolved before the installation. This is why a proper roof assessment is one of the most essential steps in going solar.

Solar companies put their entire reputation on the line with each installation, so experienced businesses can generally be trusted to perform a solid installation. After all, if a solar company was known for installing systems that cause roof leaks, it is fairly safe to say that the business would not be earning many new customers with its sub-par track record.

Providing 5-starsolar panel installation in Gainesville, FL, and across the Sunshine State, PPM Solar helps homeowners and businesses safely add a solar power system to their property. PPM Solar’s expert installers use only high-quality materials and methods to ensure no detrimental damage is ever done to your roof.

Typical Solar Panel Roof Damage

Even though solar panels can generate a lot of clean energy and save home money on bills, they are not perfect technology when improperly installed on a residential roof. Rushed installations, fittings, and poor craftsmanship can cause cosmetic and structural damage to a roof and home.

The best way to minimize the chance of solar damage is to properly vet your installer choices and avoid anysolar scamsfrom companies looking to make a quick sale. Before signing a contract, review everything it covers, especially solar panel roof damage.

Broken Tiles or Damaged Shingles

When affixing solar panel mounting components to a home, installers must carefully choose their racking system based on the type of roofing materials. While highly flammable materials such as wood shingles are not typically safe for solar panels, installers can use several mounting systems specifically designed for common roof types, such as asphalt shingles or clay tiles.

Small “tile hooks” are a common alternative for solar panels installed on clay, slate, and other long-lasting roofing materials to prevent holes from drilling into a roof. Still, these hooks can add extra weight to a tile, which can cause it to break or interfere with the roof’s ability to remain fully waterproof.

Structural Damage

Beyond the exterior materials, roofs must also be appropriately assessed to handle the weight of a proposed solar panel system before installation. If overlooked by an amateur installer, roofs not fit to hold a PV system can cause sinking, caved-in ceilings, and even broken beams with devastating consequences and the inevitable need for roof repair.

Wiring and Fire Hazards

The third and possibly most frightening kind of solar damage relates to a system’s electrical components. Solar panels can even catch on fire in extremely rare and unsafe scenarios if wires are not correctly designed, laid, and protected according to building and electrical codes. Fires can cause devastating damage with serious financial and safety consequences.

Do solar panels cause roof leaks?

If you’re wondering, “Do solar panels ruin my roof?” you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that the answer is almost always “no” when you choose to work with a reputable solar installer.

Solar panel roof damage is uncommon in the United States, and leaks caused by a photovoltaic (PV) installation are even less likely to occur when using high-quality materials and craftsmen. Therefore, choosing the right installer is vital to preventing solar panel roof leaks.

For the best chances of a high-quality installation, we recommend choosing a company with a longstanding reputation for great local work. You should also seek out a solar company that offers ongoing maintenance, part replacement, and extended warranty periods to protect yourself from the consequences of future damage to your system.

Improper Installation

More than anything else, improper installation is the number one reason solar panels cause roof leaks. Whether using the wrong racking method, improperly sealing the holes, or simply not using the correct fittings, rushed or careless installations can cause serious consequences when attention to detail and safety is not a company’s number one priority.

Unwelcome Guests Nesting

Critters like squirrels and birds can get under your solar panels and bring their entire homes and families. Nest building and excessive damage from critters under your solar panels can cause wear, tear, and leakage. To avoid this, most professional solar installations will have wiring mesh that guards the underside of the panels against visiting animals.

Issues with Water Flow and Debris

Lastly, solar panel roof leaks may occur if the installation has interrupted the normal flow of water, snow, or debris from hitting and falling off a roof. Although most racking systems are designed to allow water to flow down and around the panels, horizontal bars placed on roofs can cause unintentional damming during precipitous conditions.

Winter snow, debris, and rainwater can all collect beneath improperly installed solar panels, causing pooling, decay, and even leaking into a home below. Thankfully, most professional solar installations are designed and performed with continuous water flow in mind.

How do you prevent roof leaks after installing solar panels?

After you install your solar panels, it is essential to maintain them regularly and inspect them for the lifetime of your energy system. Some roof leaks are caused by minor damages over time, so spotting an issue before it becomes critical is a great way to prevent leaking, and routine inspections are advised.

Of course, if you decide to work with a reputable solar company, the only step you may need to take post-installation is to thank yourself and the installers for a leak-free job well done. Again, leaks are very uncommon under well-installed solar panels.

How to Repair Solar Panel Leaking

If your solar panels are causing your roof to leak, call a professional as soon as possible. If you attempt a solar panel leak repair on your home, you may risk voiding your contracted warranty and safety with an amateur attempt to fix your roof and energy system.

When a leak is detected, set up some caches to collect the drip to prevent more damage within your home and clear the area of any furniture or personal belongings. Once the leak is contained, take photos of the damage inside your home and only access the roof if it is dry and guaranteed to be structurally sound. While it may be tempting to climb onto the roof to see the cause of the leak firsthand, a wet surface and potential structural damages are safety hazards that should be avoided when possible.

The first professional contact you should make is with the original installer of your solar panel system. If your leak has sprung within the timeframe of your workmanship warranty, you may be able to repair the damage without incurring any additional expenses on the project.

If your original installer is no longer in business or the leak is beyond the scope of your warranty, we suggest finding a local contractor with solar and roofing experience to assess the damage properly. A roofer alone may not know how to treat a PV system properly. So, a certified solar professional is typically recommended to assess the damage and devise a solution so the panels can function safely.

Do solar panels extend roof life?

Yes, in many instances, solar panels can fortify and extend the life of a roof rather than cause damage or leaks. While installed, solar panels protect your roof against the elements with their hard, weather-tested exteriors. From falling branches to heavy hails, solar panels extend roof life for the entire area protected beneath an installation.

Knowing this, the best time to install solar panels is when you install a new roof. Solar panels have highly functional lifespans of up to25, 30 years, and more, which can be even longer than some modern roofing materials like cement and asphalt shingles.

Solar installations can complement other upgrades, such as battery energy storage, electrical panel replacements, and energy efficiency improvements, as part of a home energy system. With safe, professional installations, homeowners installing Tesla home chargerstations canrun their vehicles on solar power.

How Solar Panels Protect Your Roof

Although many people are initially concerned about property damage, solar panels protect your roof from the sun’s harsh rays, weather damage, and more. Essentially acting as a shield against the elements, rigid solar panels are typically built to be tougher than average roofing materials and heavilyresistant to hail and extreme weather events.

Even further, solar panels installed a few inches above a roof will absorb all of the sun’s rays and create a small air pocket between the panels and the building itself. This helps cool down the area shaded below the solar panels and can evenreduceair conditioning costs in a home with less direct sunlight.

Go solar without damaging your roof: Contact PPM Solar today!

So, to answer the question, “Are solar panels bad for your roof?” We hope this article has helped clarify that damage is extremely rare when working with a certified, professional installer. If you’re worried about roof leaks after installing solar panels, you can curb your fears by choosing a professional team like PPM Solar.

Offering free assessments for residential and commercialsolar panel installation in Florida, PPM is your renewable energy partner in Gainesville and North Central Florida. Contact us today to get started on your Florida solar energy project. Federal incentives, tax credits, and financing options are available in Florida for solar, battery storage, and EV Level 2 charger installations, reducing installation costs by at least 30%. PPM Solar also provides low-interest loans to help lower your electricity bill from the first month of operation.