It’s understandable to have questions and concerns before starting any construction project on your roof. While the economic benefits of home solar panels may make good sense, you don’t want the major problem and expense of a damaged roof.
There are steps you and the right solar company can take before, during, and after installation to make sure a new solar energy system and your roof are the perfect match for the next 25 years or more.
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Does Solar Damage Your Roof?
Home solar panels and the related components of a residential solar power system should not damage your roof. A few safeguards can reduce the possibility of damage.
If your roof is older or already damaged or weakened, it’s smart to repair or replace it prior to installing panels. Picking a reputable professional company will help ensure the panels are installed well and don’t cause your roof to leak.
Once your system is installed, unusual circumstances can damage panels or your roof, such as animals or extreme weather. (Panels and the roofs they sit on often survive just fine through most weather conditions.) Your solar company should be able to protect your system against most animal, debris, or weather problems.
What is a Roof Penetration Warranty?
A roof penetration warranty may be part of an overall system warranty covering a residential solar energy system. The warranty guarantees coverage of roof damage or leaks from installing panels or components. Palmetto Protect warranty plans include a five-year roof penetration warranty, for example.
5 Ways to Avoid Solar Roof Damage
While not common, roof damage from solar panels can happen in the wrong set of circumstances. To reduce the likelihood of problems with solar panels on your roof, you can follow these steps.
Work with a professional solar company
Going solar with a licensed, insured, and reputable business can reduce the chance of a bad installation and roof damage.
If extreme weather or animals do cause damage, working with a professional solar company may also make it easier to remedy the situation. Working with the right company will put you in a better position to guarantee your solar investment and roof safety.
Install under-panel protection
After solar panels have been installed on your home, the small, shaded gap between the equipment and your roof can become highly desirable real estate for bids, squirrels, or opossums looking for a sheltered place to rest or nest
If left unprotected or unmonitored, animal activity could cause complications from debris buildup, chewed wires, and more. Although this is more likely to cause harm to your solar system than your roof, preventing animal damage is an important part of maintenance.
Wire mesh fences, known as critter guards or solar screens, can let air and liquid pass through while keeping animals out. This may add some expense, but solar panel guards can significantly decrease the chances of system issues and related roof damage.
Maintain your system to reduce debris build-up
Operating outdoors and exposed to the elements 24/7, your rooftop solar array may collect dust, leaves, debris, and other build-up on the surface of your panels, around the mounting materials, and on top of other system components.
Cleaning and maintaining your solar panel system can help ensure there is no damage to your roof, while also allowing it to generate power at maximum efficiency. Keeping your system clear of debris is a key step.
While rain and snow can wash away debris or dirty build-up, you may also clean your solar panels with a small amount of soap and warm water. You should always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
For the best results (and safety), we recommend contacting a professional solar cleaning company or working with your original installer to maintain your system for optimal performance. Regular professional monitoring and maintenance can help check the system’s performance and need for cleaning or repair.
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Consider a new roof before going solar
Your roof (and not your solar panels) may be to blame for damage after an installation. Although most professional contractors will assess the condition and suitability of your roof upon a site inspection, rushed jobs on unfit roofs can lead to serious consequences and necessary roof repair after solar panels have been installed.
If your roof is showing signs of age, you may want to consider replacing your roof before installing solar panels. Not only can this mitigate possible damages from a solar installation, but it can save money on your total project costs with two home upgrades bundled together.
Never skip the permit
Above all else, never install solar panels without the proper permitting in place. All grid-tied solar panels in the US must be approved by local building authorities and your electric utility before and after construction to ensure the system operates safely
Failure to obtain building permits and construction approval (especially if you go the DIY Solar route) can be illegal for most solar projects. In short, getting the proper permits is a necessary step in any quality solar installation process.
Working with a professional installer improves the likelihood your system will gain design and interconnection approval. Most reputable companies can give you quick access to experts qualified to handle inspections, planning, and construction.
Verdict: Do Solar Panels Cause Roof Damage?
In summary, if you are weighing the pros and cons of solar panels on your roof, damage shouldn’t be a concern. Although it is possible to damage your roof when attempting a DIY project or working with an unreputable contractor, any solar panels installed by a reputable installer shouldn’t damage your roof.
To learn more about what it's like to go solar with Palmetto, reach out to one of our solar advisors today for a free consultation or estimate your solar savings right now.
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Solar Panel Roof Damage FAQs
If you are still worried about roof damage from solar panels, here are more questions and answers that may help calm your nerves.
Will solar panels put holes in my roof?
Although some roof penetrations must be made to install solar mounting equipment, solar panels should not put holes in your roof that could lead to damage or leaking. When solar panels are mounted onto your roof, professional installers use flashings and other protective measures to ensure a seal around any roof penetrations.
In some instances, like on clay tile roofs, your mounting hardware and materials may be hooked onto your roof without any penetrations necessary. If you are worried about drilling holes in your roof from solar, talk to your installer about the installation process and what is covered under your roof warranty if something were to go wrong.
Can solar panels ruin your roof?
While there is a small chance solar panels could cause roof damage if installed incorrectly, it is unlikely a properly installed solar power system will harm your roof. When designed, constructed, and maintained correctly, solar panels will not ruin or damage your roof in any way. Instead, solar panels can actually protect portions of your roof from exposure to excessive sun, hail, and other weather-related damages.
Does removing solar panels damage your roof?
No, removing a set of solar panels will not damage your roof when the procedure is performed correctly. When taking your panels down, either at the end of their working life or to replace your roof, a professional installer will carefully remove and reinstall the equipment without harming your property. With both installation and removal, choosing the right person or company is key to preventing damage.
What if solar panels make my roof leak?
If your roof has a leak and it may be due to or near panels or system components, call a professional (likely your original installer) to safely repair the problem. If you try to fix it yourself, you run the risk of making the damage to the roof or solar system worse or voiding the warranty with the solar system. If it’s the solar panels’ fault, the repair may be covered by a warranty.
Andrew GiermakWriter and EditorAndrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.
