With the installation of solar panels, you are one step closer to energy efficiency, cost savings, and environmental responsibility. But for many homeowners, the challenge of how to install may not be so easy to figure out. Knowing how & when to avoid expensive errors is how you take the most from your investments.
Here are seven of the most important pitfalls to avoid when installing solar panels, especially if you want a system that’s operating efficiently and reliably for decades to come.
1. Overlooking a Site Assessment
Site assessment is one of the earliest and most important steps of solar panel installation. Without a proper consideration for the orientation, pitch, shading, or structural integrity of the roof, the operative efficiency can be reduced. A professional will need to assess your home to confirm that an area for the panels will get the most exposure to the sun, and is also able to safely carry the panels.
2. Choosing the Wrong System Size
Some homeowners think the larger the system, the better. But oversizing your system without regard to your real energy production needs can result in energy waste and unneeded expense. On the flipside, an undersized system doesn’t cut it for your family. Efficient system sizing, based on precise energy consumption data, is important when installing solar on your home to get the best return on your investment.
3. Ignoring Local Regulations and Permits
Every county has different codes and permits that apply to the installation of a solar panels. By not following this step, or by not working with professionals who know what the permit requires, the system can be delayed or even removed. This is particularly crucial in markets with rigorous compliance requirements, such as many of the solar panels in California projects.
4. Overlooking Roof Condition and Future Repairs
Putting solar panels on a roof that’s toward the end of its life is a very expensive error. If a roof repair or replacement occurs shortly after installation, the panels may need to be taken down and reset, a costly process. Make sure your roof is in good condition or replace it before you install your solar at home.
5. Not Accounting for Long-Term Maintenance
While solar systems are low-maintenance, they do need to be checked and cleaned periodically. Failure to plan maintenance during installation of solar panels can impact performance for years. Inquire about warranties, support services, and monitoring tools that can help you catch inefficiencies early.
There are some solar providers, like Simply Solar, who also provide long-term system monitoring and in-house installation as an added water-tight measure to make sure the performance and efficiency you buy is what you get over the length of life of the system.
6. Poor Placement and Panel Orientation
The position of panels is far more important than most homeowners realize. If not aligned or tilted properly, energy production can be severely compromised. When installing a solar PV system, make sure that your installer pays attention to the right orientation and tilt at your specific location’s latitude and seasonal sun position.
In California and other sun-drenched spots, even a bit off in the angle or direction, and you could quickly drop a lot of energy. This is why it is so important to partner with solar company California teams that have years of solar panel California experience and a comprehensive knowledge of local solar performance characteristics.
7. Choosing Inexperienced or Unverified Installers
When it comes to a solar system, it’s not all about the equipment; quality is just as much about who you get to install it. Bringing unlicensed or budget installers into a home can result in shoddy work, nonconforming wiring & unsafe installations. This not only deteriorates the system’s overall performance, but it also voids our warranty and poses a safety risk.
Once you’re ready to go solar on your home, be sure to research the installer, look at their credentials, certifications, and portfolio. Find a residential solar company that can continue to maintain and support your system.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these errors when it comes to installing solar panels ensures your system is able to function and will be safe from the outset. Built with the right kind of foresight, expert oversight, and an analyst’s level of precision, it will deliver a robust & bankable solar solution that pays aesthetic and financial dividends.
The evolution of solar technology brings higher and higher installation standards. By educating yourself and being proactive, your move to solar can be a smart and proactive investment in your future that’s relatively headache-free.
