Solar Panels and Your Roof — What to Check First

The sequencing decision

If your covering is within about ten years of end of life, reroof first. Removing and refitting an array to allow a reroof later costs a substantial sum and risks damage to panels and mounts. Getting a roofing opinion before signing a solar contract is a small cost against that.

How mounting affects the roof

Panel hooks are fixed through the covering into the rafters. The tile beneath each hook has to be dressed, ground or replaced so it still sits down properly and sheds water — done badly this is where leaks appear a year later. Cable entries need a purpose-made flashed penetration, not a hole and sealant.

• ▸Hooks fixed to rafters, not battens
• ▸Tiles dressed or swapped at each hook
• ▸Flashed cable entry, not mastic
• ▸Existing flashings checked while access is up

Load and access

A domestic array adds meaningful weight to one slope. On most roofs that's fine; on older or lightly built structures it needs checking. And while the scaffold is up for solar, it's the cheapest moment you'll ever get to renew flashings, re-bed a ridge or clear and refit guttering — worth bundling.

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