This page is being restored. Return to the homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common solar installation mistakes that homeowners can avoid? The most frequently documented mistakes in the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Tracking the Sun dataset are: over-sizing based on national averages rather than actual consumption, accepting the first quote without comparing at least three, and skipping roof condition assessment before committing to installation. Each of these errors is avoidable with a few hours of pre-purchase research.

What installation workmanship issues most commonly cause long-term solar problems? The most common workmanship failures documented in post-installation surveys are improper roof penetration flashing (causing leaks), undersized conductors or conduit that fail electrical inspection, omitted rapid shutdown equipment required by NEC 690, and misconfigured inverter settings that prevent the system from operating at full capacity after energization.

What should homeowners do immediately after their solar installation to verify it is working correctly? Homeowners should confirm permission to operate (PTO) was received in writing from the utility, verify the monitoring system is reporting production data within the expected range for the first sunny day of operation, and keep copies of all permits, inspection approvals, warranties, and the interconnection agreement. Discovering problems in the first 30 days is much easier than months later.

What warranty documentation should homeowners retain after a solar installation? Retain the panel product warranty, panel performance warranty, inverter warranty, racking warranty, installer workmanship warranty, and all paid invoices itemizing equipment and labor. The IRS requires documentation of qualifying expenditures for the Section 25D tax credit, and warranty claims require documentation that the system was properly installed and maintained.

Further Reading from Authoritative Sources