Solar panels laying on the roof

[GoodJBoy]

Hi,

I have a couple of photo-voltaic solar panels literally laying on my roof but tied to an anchor so they do not blow away. They have been there for years like that. I never put them on a real mounting system because I am afraid of falling off the roof.

My question is, with the panels laying on the asphalt shingles, will this damage them from the heat? They have been out there for two years now and are working fine but I do not know if this is going to kill their expected life.

Thanks!

[Mike90250]

they will run hot, and not produce as much power. But they may also be cooking the roof underneath by trapping heat.

Heat is the enemy of all plastic and electronics, so you are not helping the panels at all.

[PNjunction]

NOT SAFE.

At a very minimum, you need a few inches of clearance, and of course if your house burns down and this thing is not code, then all bets are off anyway.

Basically the expected lifespan that gets reduced may just be yours. When you go to the roof, you get real and do it right. Otherwise you are endangering yourself and others.