Does solar void my roof warranty?

Not by itself, for the brands we checked. GAF's technical bulletin says solar panels may be installed over GAF shingle roofs when the system follows state and local building codes, the mounting maker's guidelines and roofing industry guidelines. CertainTeed says penetrations from its own solar installs don't void its shingle warranty against manufacturing defects. Malarkey said in 2020 that solar doesn't void its warranty, but that damage from installation is not a manufacturing defect.

That last point is the catch for every brand. A shingle warranty covers defective shingles, not holes, cracked shingles or leaks caused by the people who mounted the panels.

A leak around a solar mount is almost always the solar installer's responsibility. Have the cause identified before you file a claim, since each company covers only its own work.

They vary widely. Installer listings on EnergySage range from five or ten years against leaks to 25-year and even lifetime roof-penetration warranties, and Solar United Neighbors puts typical workmanship warranties at 3 to 10 years, with some 20 years or more. Illinois Shines doesn't set a minimum, but its contract rules require that any warranty in your contract state its term.

Compare this line across quotes as closely as price. See solar warranties explained and how to choose a solar installer.

Owens Corning's Solar PROtect program, offered through certified contractors, covers workmanship on the roof and the application of approved solar mounts, including IronRidge FlashFoot and FlashVue, Pegasus Comp Mount, SnapNrack Ultra Rail and Unirac Flashkit Pro. It excludes non-Owens Corning items such as flashing, fasteners and decking.

Most quality mounts are also tested on their own. IronRidge says its FlashFoot2 is water-sealing tested to the UL 441 rain test, listed to UL 2703 and backed by a 25-year warranty. Ask which mount your installer uses and whether your shingle maker approves it.

The panels have to come off and go back on. Fixr puts removal and reinstallation at about $2,800 to $4,800 for a typical system, or roughly $200 to $300 per panel. If you file a shingle claim, the cost of removing panels so the maker can inspect is usually yours, so check your shingle warranty for that clause.

If your roof is older, it's often cheaper to replace it first. See should you replace your roof before solar?

1. 1

   The roof-penetration warranty

   Its length, and whether it covers interior damage from a leak, not just the roof.

2. 2

   The mounting system

   The brand and model, and whether your shingle maker approves it.

3. 3

   Who pays for removal

   Who covers taking panels off and putting them back for a roof claim or repair.

4. 4

   The warranty terms in your contract

   Illinois Shines requires the contract to state the term of any warranty it includes.

Check your quote with our solar quote checker, and see what a solar quote should include.