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Roof Leak Around Solar Panels

A water stain on the ceiling under your array is stressful, especially when the company that drilled into the roof no longer exists. The cause is often fixable, but which warranty pays depends on what failed. Start by protecting the inside of the house, then document before anyone changes anything.

Why Leaks Happen At Solar Mounts

Each rooftop array is held on by mounts bolted through the roof. The Solar Power World install tip on flashing (March 27, 2019), written by a solar services manager at a roofing manufacturer, says that with dozens of penetrations per array, flashing is critical, and that poorly designed, made, or installed flashing leads to leaks, interior water damage, and mold. It describes what correct work looks like on a shingle roof: flashing that extends under the third course of shingles, pilot holes filled with roofing grade sealant, and lag bolts that are not over-tightened. On tile roofs, it says penetrations should be flashed at both the tile and the underlayment level.

Which Warranty Applies

The Solar Gardens guide to roof warranties and solar describes three separate warranties that homeowners often confuse:

Warranty	What It Covers
Shingle or roofing manufacturer	Defects in the roofing products themselves
Original roofer workmanship	Mistakes made when the roof was first installed
Solar installer workmanship	Problems the solar crew caused, such as faulty flashing, damaged shingles, loose hardware, or poorly sealed penetrations

The same guide says installing solar does not automatically void a roof warranty, but improper installation can lead to denied coverage for the affected area. It also notes that water can travel under shingles or underlayment, so the stain may not sit directly below the damage.

What To Do First

1. Protect the inside. Put a bucket down, move belongings, and photograph the stain with a date.
2. Stay off the roof. Solar arrays carry voltage in daylight. Let a licensed pro do any roof inspection.
3. Document everything. The Solar Gardens guide recommends photos, inspection findings, contracts, and installation records, and advises against having another company make changes right away unless it is an emergency, since unauthorized repairs can complicate a claim.
4. Notify the installer in writing if it still exists, citing its workmanship warranty.
5. Tell your homeowners insurer if there is interior damage, and ask what it covers.

When The Installer Is Gone

If the solar company closed, its workmanship warranty may be gone too, unless a buyer took it on. You will likely need to hire someone, and the job may need both solar and roofing skills.

• Look for a licensed solar contractor that also does roof work, or a roofer and solar contractor who will coordinate.
• Ask whether the fix is resealing a few mounts or lifting panels to replace flashing. Lifting panels is a bigger job, covered in Removing Solar Panels For A New Roof.
• Ask for written findings that name the cause. That helps with insurance and with any claim against a bankruptcy estate.
• If you lease, the system owner is responsible for the system. Notify it before anyone touches the array. See Solar Lease Or PPA When The Company Is Gone.

Questions To Ask A Repair Company

1. Are you licensed for both electrical and roofing work in my state, or will you subcontract?
2. Will you find the source of the leak before quoting the repair?
3. What flashing and sealant will you use, and does it follow my roofing maker's instructions?
4. What workmanship warranty do you give on the repair, and is it in writing?

If you want a local service company to look at your system, describe it in the system check form. We name the one company before anyone contacts you.

Related: Installer Went Out Of Business, Solar Warranty Help, Monitoring, Repair, And Inspection.