The issue here are current racking systems make service of the roof difficult or impossible without tedious and costly disassembly of traditional solar panel installation. Someone has to go around and unbolt everything. We need a system where you can rapidly attach and remove them without tools. Otherwise roof maintenance becomes roofer + PV maintenance.
We purchased our bay area house in early 2016, two months after it had a new roof and solar installation added. Total cost to the previous owner was about $30k, for 30yr architectural shingles and a 5.5kwhr array.
It's required 0 maintenance or repair since we've lived here.
I'm under the impression that CA either required - or it was just highly suggested - to only install solar arrays on roofs that were in good shape and less than 5yo. That said, we're about to do a remodel and the array will be removed and stored during the project and reinstalled afterward, with a few more panels and a couple of batteries. I'm not concerned about roof repairability relative to my electricity cost savings in California under pg&e.
I have a friend with a 5 year old roof who had panels installed and now has leaks two years later. He checked the visible portion of the roof and could not find anything. He thinks it could be under the panels but can't see under them. A roofer told him the same. He's still trying to figure out what to do. Plus my story about my work place solar system being installed by a fly-by-night which damaged the roof causing leaks. YMMV.
