Mounting solar panels: go with traditional flashing or try those newer deck-mounted seals?

Sometimes the “easy” option just means more headaches later...

That’s been my experience too. I tried those deck-mounted seals on my last place (asphalt shingles, mid-Atlantic, not exactly hurricane alley but we get our share of sideways rain). Looked clean at first, but after two years, I found a slow leak right where the seal met an old nail hole. Flashing might be more work up front, but I’d rather deal with that than hunt down mystery drips in the attic. Maybe I’m just old school, but water always finds a way if you give it a chance...