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“I didn’t want to drill into the roof and cause a leak.”
Photo Credit: Reddit
Pooling rainwater became a concern for one homeowner whose rooftop solar setup was intended to keep animals from getting underneath the panels.
The homeowner took to Reddit’s r/SolarDIY forum to ask fellow solar enthusiasts whether a slight tilt would help the panels, which the owner had laid flat on a garage roof.
In the Reddit thread, the original poster asked, “Is it fine for water to just sit and pool on a flat panel, or is it worth propping them up slightly (even a few degrees) to help it drain?”
The OP added, “I kept them flat deliberately, mainly to avoid animals getting underneath and wind catching an angled edge and ripping them off.”
Commenters largely urged the OP to angle the panels while securing them. One of the top comments read, “Definitely angled. What’s the problem with animals getting underneath? And why can’t you attach them to a bracket?”
OP responded, explaining that, “I didn’t want to drill into the roof and cause a leak. Perhaps just a bit of 2×4 would be enough?” After this, a third user joined the discussion, writing, “They absolutely need to be anchored down or the first good storm or gust of wind is going to have them sailing off into the neighbor’s property and you’re going to be liable for any damage they do. … With modern anchoring systems there’s very little danger of leaks if you follow the instructions correctly.”
Another commenter added, “Terrible idea. They still need to be attached or weighted to the roof, and water and bird droppings will pool on them, and they will get very dirty very quickly. As a rule of thumb, in my experience, you want an angle of at least 7 degrees for water to self-clean, but ideally 15 degrees or so.”
For homeowners considering solar to lower electricity bills, $0-upfront solar leases may save hundreds of dollars per month, depending on the household and arrangement. EasyHome offers a free explorer to estimate potential savings and find vetted installers in your area.
With energy prices through the roof, there’s never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area.
EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy.
Beyond the garage-roof mounting question, homeowners can also explore battery-storage options through EasyHome. Pairing solar with suitable battery storage can help manage electricity costs by saving generated power for later use, while a backup-configured system can supply power during outages.
Panel angle is one of several practical details to consider when installing rooftop solar. 
• In Spain, a homeowner’s near-flat solar panels lost output, prompting warnings about tap-water cleaning.
• An installer tackling a steep metal roof received straightforward advice: use the rails.
• A UK homeowner worried that 15 solar panels sat too close to the roof’s edge.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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