Roof Leak Under Solar Panels: $1,200 to $1,500 Fix, Who Pays
A roof leak under solar panels costs $1,200 to $1,500 to fix on average, according to Fixr (2025), because the panels over the leak have to come off and go back on.
The cause is often a failed mount rather than the roof: flashing that was skipped or poorly fitted, a mount sealed with caulk alone, or a lag screw that missed the rafter. If the installer is out of business, its workmanship warranty is usually gone, and the repair is yours unless the system is leased or a third party backs the warranty.
Key numbers
- $300 to $1,000Roof repairs after panel removal (Angi)Angi, Apr 2026
- $500 to $2,000Leak at mounts, New EnglandNuWatt Energy, Apr 2026
- $1,200 to $1,500Fixr 'Leak' problem rowFixr, Jan 2025
A roof leak under solar panels is water entering the roof at or near the array, most often at a mounting penetration whose flashing or seal has failed, rather than through the field of the roof.
What causes a roof leak under solar panels
- Missing or poor flashing. Codes and manufacturers require roofing-manufacturer-approved flashing at every penetration, and Solar Power World notes that "sealant by itself has poor long-term waterproofing reliability." Wind and capillary action can push water sideways and even uphill under shingles.
- Sealant used instead of flashing. A racking maker quoted by Solar Power World calls a blob of sealant over a mount "goop and a prayer." Sealant rated for the wrong temperature or UV, applied in the cold or the rain, or plain caulk in place of roofing sealant all fail early.
- Lag screws that miss the rafter. A screw that misses the center of the framing below can split the rafter or leave a hole that never seals. A Sunrun engineer told Solar Builder that leaks at attachment points are one of the main reasons for callbacks in residential solar.
- Damage during the install. Panels and racks dragged across shingles, dropped tools, and arrays put on roofs already near the end of their life (JLC, Solar Power World).
Leak, damage or a roof that needs work? Call the roof line. A local roofing company answers and quotes its visit fee before anything is booked.
Solar panel roof leak repair cost
Fixr puts the average repair for a leak beneath a solar panel at $1,200 to $1,500, because the panels over the leak have to come off and go back on. Other published ranges run from $150 to $3,000; the low end is roof repair alone, without lifting panels. For comparison, Fixr's average for an ordinary roof leak repair with no panels in the way is $800, with a range of $350 to $1,500.
| Scenario | Published range | Source, date |
|---|---|---|
| Roof repairs after panel removal (Angi) | $300 to $1,000 | Angi, Apr 2026 |
| Leak at mounts, New England | $500 to $2,000 | NuWatt Energy, Apr 2026 |
| Fixr 'Leak' problem row | $1,200 to $1,500 | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| Fixr maintenance guide | $500 to $3,000 | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| HomeGuide roof repair row | $150 to $1,000 | HomeGuide, Sep 2024 |
Published ranges for leaks at solar mounts, newest first. Sources and dates per row; checked October 11, 2026.
Water coming in under the array? Call the roof line.
Who pays for a roof leak caused by solar panels
| Situation | Who usually pays | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Installer still in business, within the workmanship warranty | The installer | Workmanship warranties typically run 3 to 10 years and usually include roof penetrations (Solar United Neighbors) |
| Installer out of business | You, unless a third party backs the warranty | The workmanship warranty usually ends with the company; manufacturer warranties cover defective products, not leaks (Solar Insure, a warranty seller; EnergySage). A third-party program such as REC ProTrust may still cover labor, and you can file a claim in the bankruptcy |
| Leased or PPA system | Usually the lessor, under the lease | The financing company owns the system; call the servicer on your statement first |
| Shingle manufacturer warranty | Not the shingle maker | GAF and Owens Corning keep their warranties in place with solar but do not pay to remove the array; Malarkey says damage from a solar install is not a manufacturing defect (Solar Power World) |
| Sudden storm damage | Possibly your insurer | Policies cover sudden damage, not wear or a failed seal; see the storm guide |
General patterns; your contracts decide. Sources named in each row.
GAF's technical bulletin on solar over its shingles says the panels "will not impact coverage," but if a shingle problem needs inspecting, "it is the owner's responsibility to have the solar panels removed at the owner's sole expense."
How a leak under the array is found
- Start in the attic. The National Roof Certification and Inspection Association recommends scanning the underside of the roof deck for water stains, dark spots or mold, ideally during or right after rain.
- Match the stain to the array. Measure from a wall or vent to see which mount sits above it.
- Hose test, one section at a time, with one person on the roof and one in the attic.
- Moisture meters and thermal imaging find wet decking that does not show a stain yet.
Stay off the roof yourself. An array is energized whenever light hits it, and walking on tile or wet shingles around panels is how roofs and people get hurt.
Roofer or solar contractor
Usually both, or one company that does both. The leak is at a solar mount, so the fix means lifting panels, re-flashing the attachment and checking the rafter, which is solar work. If the roof decking or the shingles around the mount are damaged, that is roofing work. The solar and roofing companies page covers how to hire for both, and the removal and reinstall page covers the cost if the whole array has to come off.
Questions people ask
Can solar panels cause roof leaks?
The panels do not, but the mounts that hold them can. Every mount is a penetration, and missing flashing, sealant-only mounts and lag screws that miss the rafter are the usual causes.
Who is responsible for a roof leak from solar panels?
The installer, if it is still in business and the workmanship warranty (typically 3 to 10 years) is in force. If the installer closed, the homeowner pays, unless the system is leased, in which case the lessor usually does.
How much does it cost to fix a roof leak under solar panels?
Fixr puts the average at $1,200 to $1,500 because panels over the leak must be removed and reinstalled. Published ranges run from $150 to $3,000.
Does installing solar void my roof warranty?
Usually not for shingle defects. GAF, Owens Corning and TAMKO keep their warranties in place with solar, but they do not pay to remove the array, and damage from the solar install is not a manufacturing defect.
Can a roofer fix a leak under solar panels?
Only with the panels lifted, which is solar work. Most leaks are at a mount, so a solar contractor re-flashes it, and a roofer repairs any damaged decking or shingles around it.
What counts as roof damage from solar panels?
Leaks at mounts, cracked or scuffed shingles from foot traffic and dragged equipment, split rafters from misplaced lag screws, and debris dams that hold water above the array.
Who does solar panel leak repair?
A solar contractor lifts the panels and re-flashes the mount; a roofer repairs damaged decking or shingles. Some companies do both. Call the roof line.
Stain under the array? Call the roof line now and say the leak is under solar panels, so the right crew comes.
- 1Call the line
- 2It rings a local company
- 3They give you the price
Before you book
- License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
- Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
- Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.
Sources (17)
- Solar Power World: Preventing water intrusion on rooftop arrays (2015-06-16)
- Solar Power World: Roofing sealants and solar flashing methods (2022-09-13)
- Solar Builder: Rooftop solar mounting and lag placement (2023-05-08)
- JLC: Solar installs leading to screwed-up roofs (2017-07-05)
- Solar Insure: Solar warranties after installer bankruptcy (warranty seller) (2026-09-29)
- REC Group: REC ProTrust warranty (2020-01-09)
- Fixr: Cost to repair a solar panel (2025-01-31)
- Fixr: Cost to repair a roof leak (2026-01-27)
- Solar United Neighbors: What warranties come with my system (2021-07-28)
- EnergySage: What to do if your solar installer goes out of business (2026-01-07)
- GAF: TAB-R-131, solar PV panels over a GAF shingle roof (2021-02)
- Solar Power World: Will installing solar void a roof warranty (2022-11-21)
- NRCIA: Roof leak cause determination (2026-02-05)
- NuWatt Energy: Solar Orphan Rescue (2026-04)
- Fixr: Solar Panel Maintenance Costs (2025-01-31)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Remove Solar Panels? [2026 Data] (2026-04-06)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Solar Panel Maintenance Cost? (2026) (2024-09-16)
Talk to a roofer who serves your area
Have the address, the roof material and its rough age, and where you see water or damage. Say if solar panels are on the roof. The company will quote its inspection or visit fee before anything is booked.
Free call to an independent company in your area that takes this kind of work.