Friend has need to replace service entrance conductors due to corrosion caused by leaky grommet at meter. Questions are: (1) for the connection to the service drop from utility is a special compression type fitting used and is it only availiable through the utility company? (2) What is the advantage, besides cost, of going with aluminum wire as oppossed to copper for the service entrance conductor?

I suggest you advise your friend to contact a local electrical contractor. Sorry, but it doesn't sound like you have any idea about this and working with unprotected service conductors is deadly.

You may not be allowed to do this yourself anyway depending on POCO and local requirements.

-Hal