Solar Panel Installation Damage: What We Found on This Roof | Matthews NC Part 1

One of the nice things about actually climbing up on roofs is that you get to see some interesting things.

Obviously, people are becoming more self-sustaining. They've got their chickens. Very interesting and cool! There's a lot of variety in the Charlotte area.

Anyway, here we are in Matthews, North Carolina, and we have solar panels.

I like solar power. I think it's really cool and very innovative, but I hate them on roofs. And here's one of the reasons why.

Now, I know it's not fair to lump all solar installations together and say they're all bad. But I have yet to see a really good installation that hasn't caused any problems.

I like the idea of free energy. I really do.

So here's what we call an “oops,” right? They missed!

They went ahead and used caulk, thinking that would take care of it.

If you look closely, there are holes right here. Maybe they put some caulk in those as well.

These brackets obviously need to be fastened into something solid—the trusses or roof rafters.

If they miss, they have to move the bracket over. But then what happens to the holes they left behind?

You'll see that throughout this roof.

Here, this shingle is damaged. It's doing no good. These marks are usually caused by dragging equipment up the roof, setting it on its side, and so on.

But here's another “oops.”

Maybe they meant to put a bracket here, or perhaps this was part of their anchor system. I'm not sure.

But this is how they left it.

What do you think? Would you want that done on your roof?

And they think roof cement is going to solve it.

Here's another “oops, I missed!”

That's what they should sell caulk in—tubes labeled “Oops, I Missed,” specifically for solar professionals!

But do you see this here? Same thing. Either they missed or something else happened.

There's been a lot of foot traffic up here.

We're going to head down this way. You can see where people have been coming up and down the roof.

And look here—this isn't even attached correctly.

When all this equipment is up on the roof, who's getting up here to check the workmanship?

Except this critical guy right here!

But in all fairness, when something is done well, I'll say so.

I like this cap. It's nice. They did a good job.

Now water can flow over the top of it. So many times, I see these installed in a way that allows water to get behind the siding.

You can actually feel underneath here where the previous problem was.

So, good job, metalworker!

Now, what am I looking for?

I'm looking for typical storm damage. Something happened in this area in 2025.

Is there evidence we can show the insurance company that distinguishes actual storm damage from damage caused by the solar panel installers?

I don't know what they're doing here.

This is where they attached it, through this hole right here.

So what happens if water gets underneath here and travels down? It's going to find that opening.

When I was in the attic, I saw several areas where water could potentially be entering, and the solar installation appears to be contributing to those problems.

Anyway, I'm going to keep looking.