What Should You Know about Mounting a Solar Electric System to Your Roof?

Flashing for Solar Electric Mounting Points

The connections of a solar array to your roof are crucial for a successful long-term, trouble-free solar electricity installation.

These connection points to your home/roof need to be flashed and waterproofed properly using standard roofing practices.  These will look very similar to the other flashings around your existing roof vents.  If they are not flashed correctly then water can get through the roof of your home that can cause many types of water damage and eventually structural damage to your house.  Water damage is expensive to repair.  This is why roofers use this “flashed” method.  It is time tested and proven in real-life.

If any installer just wants to drill a hole and patch it up with caulking or use any other “non-flashed” method, I recommend finding another installer.  I have not seen any method besides flashing that will hold up for many years leak-free.  And remember these solar electric systems are expected to last 25-50 years.  Make sure any installation includes proper flashing!

The solar array must also be securely anchored to your roof.  If the anchor points are weak the array could be blown off the roof in a storm and who knows where it will land.  On your car, a neighbors car, a neighbors house, or ???  Also, if the array moves or “wiggles” in a storm it could damage electrical connections or weaken waterproofing of the panels themselves.  This could also be an expensive repair and a safety concern.  Fortunately, there are excellent manufacturers that make high quality solar array anchors that work great.

As always make sure your solar electric installation is done correctly at the beginning and you should expect many years of trouble-free free electricity from the sun!

Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE, NABCEP Certified PV Solar Installer
CA State Licensed Electrical Contractor (C10) & Solar Contractor (C46)
SunCal Solar, Incorporated

Have a Question?  Contact Us at: blog@SunCalSolar.com

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