Termites And Modern Home Upgrades: Solar Panels, EV Chargers, And Battery Walls
- Jameson Elam
- Jan 22
- 5 min read
About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.
New Tech, Same Wood Framing
Bay Area homes are changing.
More houses now have:
Solar panels on the roof
EV chargers in the garage or on exterior walls
Battery storage systems in utility areas
Extra wiring, conduits, and equipment on walls and in attics
All of this runs through the same wood framing, stucco, and crawlspaces that termites have always liked.
The upgrades themselves do not “cause” termites. But the way they are installed can:
Add new penetrations through walls and foundations
Change how moisture moves around the house
Limit access for future inspections
This post looks at how modern home upgrades intersect with termite risk and what you can do to keep your tech and your structure working together.
Solar Panels And The Roof Structure
Solar panels are usually mounted on rails attached to your roof framing. That means:
Hardware penetrations through roofing materials
Extra weight on certain rafters or trusses
Conduit runs across the roof or through attic spaces
From a termite and wood health perspective, the main concerns are:
Moisture
Poorly flashed penetrations can leak over time.
Slow, small leaks into the attic or wall cavities weaken wood and attract fungus and termites.
Access
Panels can make parts of the roof harder to inspect from above.
If your attic is already tight, new wiring and hardware can limit where inspectors can move.
What you can do:
Have someone check the attic for staining or moisture under solar penetrations, especially a year or two after install
Make sure any roof leaks are fixed fully, not just patched at the surface
Ask your termite inspector to pay special attention to roof framing under solar arrays
EV Chargers And New Wall Penetrations
EV chargers are often mounted:
On garage walls
On exterior walls near driveways
On posts near parking spots
They require:
New electrical runs
Conduit through walls or foundations
Sometimes new concrete pads
Termites care about:
Gaps around conduits where they can travel from soil into wall cavities
New penetrations low on the wall close to grade
Changes to soil and slab joints around charger pads
What you can do:
Ask your electrician or contractor to seal around all new conduits where they enter walls or foundations
Avoid running conduit directly through soil into wood without proper sleeves or seals
During inspections, mention where EV lines run and ask for extra attention around those areas
Battery Walls, Inverters, And Utility Clusters
Battery storage systems and inverters are often mounted:
On garage walls
On exterior stucco near main panels
In utility rooms or side yards
These setups can cluster:
Heavy equipment on a small section of wall
Multiple penetrations for wiring and conduit
Concrete pads, cable trays, and protective posts
Risks include:
Water pooling around new concrete pads or footings
Sealant gaps where multiple conduits pass through the same wall opening
Hidden routes for Subterranean termites at grade level just behind equipment
What you can do:
Keep soil and mulch down around the base of any new equipment pads
Check that wall penetrations are sealed cleanly, not left with rough openings
Make sure there is enough clearance for inspections behind or below equipment where practical
When To Time Your Termite Inspection Around Upgrades
You do not need a termite inspection for every new outlet, but larger projects are a different story.
Smart timing:
Before a major upgrade
Have the structure checked so you know whether any termite or fungus issues already exist near planned work.
This helps avoid installing expensive equipment on compromised framing.
After installation
Once work is complete and any drywall or stucco patches are done, schedule another inspection focused on:
New penetrations
Roof framing around solar
Wall and foundation interfaces near EV and battery locations
This is especially helpful if:
Your home is older
Your lot has poor drainage
You already had some termite history before the upgrades
How Modern Upgrades Can Limit Or Help Future Inspections
Some installs hide areas. Others make access easier.
They can limit access when:
Solar arrays cover most of the roof, making shingle checks difficult from above
Battery walls and EV equipment block visual access along key sections of wall
New framing or platforms are added in tight garages without leaving inspection space
They can help when:
New work exposes wall cavities or roof sheathing, giving a temporary view of hidden areas
Contractors remove old, decayed wood and you bring in a termite company to confirm the cause before closing everything up
The main idea is to think of big upgrade projects as a chance to look at the structure, not just the new hardware.
Talking To Contractors About Termites (Without Making It Awkward)
You do not need your solar or EV installer to become a termite expert. A few simple points are enough:
Let them know you plan to have a termite inspection after the project is done
Ask them to keep penetrations as clean and sealed as possible
Request that they avoid burying siding or weep screeds in new concrete or soil
If they see soft wood, unusual damage, or mud tubes, ask them to tell you instead of covering it and moving on
Contractors are usually focused on meeting electrical and building codes. Mentioning termites simply helps them think about what they are doing to the structure as a whole.
How Good Sense Termite Handles Homes With Modern Upgrades
When we inspect homes with solar, EV chargers, and battery systems, we:
Ask where lines run and where equipment was installed
Pay special attention to roof framing under arrays and around penetrations
Check walls and foundations at charger and battery locations for cracks, gaps, or moisture
Look at drainage and soil contact near any new concrete work
We are not judging your upgrades. We are making sure the structure behind them is healthy.
For homeowners who are not in active escrow, inspections are provided at no cost. For homes in escrow, we offer fee based inspections that meet real estate needs.
FAQ: Termites And Modern Home Tech
Q: Can solar panels cause termites?
A: They do not cause termites, but leaks or moisture around poorly flashed mounts and limited attic access under arrays can create better conditions for termites and fungus if no one checks the area.
Q: Do I need a termite inspection after installing an EV charger?
A: If the work included new penetrations low on exterior walls or changes near soil level, it is smart to include those areas in your next inspection. You may not need a special visit just for the charger, but do not ignore those zones.
Q: Should I delay upgrades until my termite situation is perfect?
A: Not usually. It is more practical to combine upgrades with a clear look at the structure and handle both in a sensible order.
Final Thoughts: Upgrade Your Home Without Forgetting The Frame
Solar, EV chargers, and battery systems are smart investments for many Bay Area homes. They do not have to come with termite surprises.
The key is simple:
Know what is happening behind the panels and conduit
Keep moisture and soil from quietly changing the rules
Use big upgrades as a chance to understand your structure better, not less
If you are planning modern upgrades or already have them and want to know how your framing and foundation are holding up, we can help.
Schedule an inspection with Good Sense Termite. We will look past the hardware and focus on the wood and soil that still matter most.
It's just Good Sense.