The short answer
A well installed solar system shouldn’t damage your roof. The mounts are anchored into the roof framing and sealed, and the panels shade the roof underneath. Our cash, loan and subscription agreements include a roof penetration warranty, and if a leak ever happens, we treat it as a priority service call.
Also askedWhat Happens to My Solar Panels When I Replace My Roof? · Can Solar Panels Survive a Florida Hurricane?
How panels attach to the roof
Solar is installed for strength and for the long haul:
- Into the framing. Mounts are fastened into the rafters or trusses, not just the roof deck, for the strongest hold in Florida wind.
- Only the attachments the design calls for. The layout is engineered for your address’s wind speed, so there are no extra holes.
- Flashed and sealed. Every attachment is flashed and sealed so water runs over it, not into it.
How that looks depends on the roof:
| Roof type | How mounts attach |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Flashed mounts fastened into the framing |
| Concrete or clay tile | Tile hooks or replacement flashing under the tile |
| Standing seam metal | Clamps on the seams, often with no holes at all |
Panels can help protect the roof
The panels cover part of your roof from direct sun, UV and heat. In Florida that is a lot of wear the covered area no longer takes, which can help it last longer.
Roof penetration warranties
Every Sunstorm cash and loan agreement includes a roof penetration warranty. Our solar subscription includes one, and so does every lease program we know of. Ask for the length and terms in writing, whoever installs your system.
If you ever see a leak
It isn’t common, but it can happen. Here is what to do:
- Call us right away. A possible leak is a high-priority service call.
- We send someone out to inspect the mounts, flashing and roof around them.
- We fix what we find, under your warranty where it applies.
Please don’t climb on the roof or move panels yourself.
Questions to ask any installer
- Do you fasten mounts into the rafters or trusses?
- How is each attachment flashed and sealed?
- Is there a roof penetration warranty? How long, and who honors it?
- Who removes and reinstalls the panels if the roof is replaced, and what does it cost? See What happens to my solar panels when I replace my roof?.
Common questions
Will solar void my roof warranty? It depends on your roofing manufacturer’s terms. Check them before you install, and keep your solar installation records with your roof paperwork.
What about hurricanes? Systems are engineered for your address’s wind speed. See Can solar panels survive a Florida hurricane?.
Should I replace an older roof first? Often, yes. See Is your Florida roof ready for solar?
Keep reading
The questions homeowners usually ask next.
General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. We checked these facts on October 8, 2026. Rules and rates change, so we confirm what applies to your home before you sign.