The brackets I've seen for a shingle roof slip under the shingles and shed water like a standard shingle. Penetrations for conduit would be like a pipe vent penetration with a rubber boot around the conduit.

I wouldn't worry about if the work is done by an experienced installer with good references.

As I think about it, I think in my area conduit is frequently installed on top of the roofing material, not under it, and with no through-roof penetrations. Along the top but at least under some portion of the panels, even if at the top edge, so that it's only visible where it pops out to go down the side of the structure.

My solar installer had aluminum tracks with brackets. The conduit ran down the end of the house to the basement. You can see it at the right end of the peak.

Most roofers in our region (California) have solar divisions. I don't worry about pointing fingers.

Thank you for the comments everyone

https://insideevs.com/news/465431/highest-power-tesla-solar-roof-florida/

The Tesla solar roof that was recently completed in Florida. I think the biggest con with that is if one of the panels were to short out, burn your house down.

But in terms of aesthetics Tesla has got this sewn up.

The answer to your question is highly dependent on the type of roof and its age. If the roof is old and will need replacement before your dad sells the house, then consider replacing it before covering it with solar panels. A shingle roof with a good pitch should not be a problem. A flat roof with rolled bitumen membrane will have problems if the penetrations are not waterproof. On a tile roof I believe the a tile has to be removed in order to secure the brackets to the roof structure.

Mini-Split Warehouse is there a reason you need to spam us with every post you make by putting a link to your business in it? Do you see anyone else doing this? Do you really think it will help your business?

IMO the solar panels on the roof look horrible. I drive through the neighborhood and you have a beautiful house with all that crap on top of it it ruins the whole facade.

I don't even know for sure if they really bring savings as everyone swears they do... One of my customers is a Physics Professor, they tried to convince him to install solar panels, so he did his own calculations and he said it's not worthed and he is one of those people that if you can save a penny he will jump right on it.

millworkman You're absolutely correct. He's a spammer - simple truth.

Report him.

Yep, I have reported his spam plenty of time. This time I just decided to leave it and let it work itself out. Just added to my post.

Hello Kristy,

we are also considering solar panels for our new construction in SW Florida - not only for saving energy costs but also to reduce the carbon foot print of our house. Did you go through with the panels? If so, who was your contractor and could you please send me a photo of your roof? thank you so much.

millworkman and Stax:

Let's give a little leeway on the spam accusation please. If a person gives a good answer, which Mini did, and it's related to the post in question instead of starting one on his own, I wouldn't qualify this as spam.

Anyone who thinks that posting their business here is going to result in a crush of new business is sadly mistaken anyway. I've been here 8 years or so, have contributed substantially, have been thanked profusely, but that's resulted in a few $300.00 paying jobs and a Starbucks gift card. Not a way to build or run a business.

I get a private message nearly once a week asking for free advice, to which I always respond, so this spam thing goes both ways.

Joseph you're responding to a post from 9 months ago.

Kathrin you'd be better off starting a new post.

Now having said that, I live in SW FL, have a metal roof and put up solar panels over the summer. So far so good and our monthly bill went from over $200/month to $50/month and most of the $50/month is for fees. We did it mostly to cut down on our carbon footprint too.