A California homeowner turned to the r/SolarDIY subreddit after discovering a potentially costly issue above their garage. All six mounting points for planned solar brackets appeared to miss the rafters.
For homeowners hoping solar panels will lower utility bills for years to come, that kind of mistake could put both the roof and the system's long-term value at risk.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit post, the original poster asked whether wood could be added between rafters to support the brackets without making new roof penetrations, after saying roofers had "missed rafters for all 6 of the bracket locations."
A commenter who identified themselves as a solar installer said the brackets are supposed to be secured into rafters in line with the manufacturer's design.
"If the company is reputable they will comeback and fix it. This is something you should not settle on."
In a follow-up comment, the homeowner clarified that a roofing company, not a solar crew, had handled the job.
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"I would hope they could hit a rafter being roofers but apparently not," they mused. They also said the house is on California's Central Coast and that its old wood-shake roof was replaced in 2024 because those roofs can create fire and insurance concerns.
Not everyone dismissed the homeowner's idea. The commenter who was a solar installer was open to it.
"Sometimes in old barns we will do just as you were suggesting and span the gap of 2 rafters and create some 'blocking' to land the lag into," they wrote.
More background
If brackets are fastened into roof sheathing instead of structural framing, homeowners could wind up paying for corrective labor, roof patching, or even leak-related repairs.
In California, mounting hardware still has to meet engineering specifications and local permitting requirements.
A user who said they had homebuilding trade-school experience described a method their class used before installing hardware.
"We used a small drill bit to verify that we were in a rafter before screwing in the lag bolt," they wrote.
What can be done?
Photos, installation plans, and any manufacturer mounting instructions can help determine whether the work matches the intended design.
If the installation has not progressed beyond the brackets, one commenter said there's "no reason that they can't come back, do it right, and fill the holes with something like Henry's roofing compound."
The same commenter also suggested pushing the contractor to make the situation right. They said the area might have "strict zoning, permitting, and inspection requirements."
"If you ask this contractor to correct this and get pushback, you might consider mentioning the above and the possibility of 'the authority having jurisdiction' becoming involved," they added.
Otherwise, if reroofing or solar prep work is already underway, whether the mounting manufacturer or local inspector approves blocking between rafters could determine the next step.
Where can I learn more?
Questions about missed rafters and roof penetrations often lead to bigger worries about leaks, contractor advice, and whether rooftop solar will really pay off over time. Installation decisions can affect both repair risks and the long-term value a homeowner gets.
• In Texas, a homeowner said solar panels left his roof leaking for months after installation.
• On Reddit, homeowners pushed back after a roofer's solar advice clashed with installation best practices.
• In Australia, a homeowner said a 20kW solar setup turned blackouts invisible and earned credits.
These examples make the stakes pretty clear. Rooftop solar can turn into an expensive mess or a real financial upside, depending on how well the job is done. When mounting work looks questionable, that difference is exactly why homeowners want it fixed the right way.
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