Solar DYI

The installation of a solar panel system can be quite a difficult undertaking and will include many movable parts with no instruction manuals for total integration.

There is a ton of solar equipment on websites like eBay or Amazon where people will sell you equipment that’s not up to current electrical standards, or even remotely in compliance with California Fire or Electrical Code. All equipment is NOT created equal. If you don’t do your research, the manufacturers might not allow for the integration of certain components. You will probably get stuck with some expensive paperweights, especially since the shipping isn’t cheap.

Your local building department deters homeowners from building their own PV (solar) systems. Professional plans will be required, they will not help or coach you on how to make plans that include all proper listings and details. Even if you are a qualified electrician, structural engineer, computer drafter, city permitting expert, and utility interconnection paperwork professional you will most likely need help somewhere along the way.

A structural engineering stamp is required on most plans in California. They will not add their stamp to a bar napkin. The plans must be done professionally and list all structural components in order for them to perform calculations.

More often than not, when a homeowner tries going solar on their own it ends up costing them twice as much. And in the end, the process takes 2-3x longer at best. Eventually, homeowners that take this route, end up searching for help from experts that are willing to come to their rescue. However, a roadblock they will face is the fact that most solar companies can’t afford the liability of retracing homeowner’s steps and mistakes.

Inherited Permitting Issues

Homeowners that were once excited to install their solar system can become frustrated to find out they are on the hook for correcting issues related to their home. Cities and counties are severely cracking down on all illegal electrical panels and unapproved structures before proceeding with a solar installation project. Unfortunately for the homeowner, even the excuse of buying a home recently does not negate the responsibility to pay for the previous owners’ mistakes 

It’s also very common for a homeowner to have un-permitted sub-panels in garages and outbuildings. These issues, along with illegal patio covers, sheds, light posts, and pool equipment can all railroad your solar project and turn it into a never ending paperwork fiasco.

Misunderstood Solar

Going solar can be an exciting process. The thought of saving money on your electric bill every month is enticing for many homeowners. But there are still a lot of people who don’t completely understand what they are buying. These homeowners believe solar will cover your electric bill regardless of the amount of power being used. 

A solar-powered system is designed based on past electrical usage provided by previous utility bills. This is done in an effort to offset the home’s power usage. Some solar companies “tier-shave”, meaning they sell you solar to cover only about 1/3 bill to give you a better rate structure with the utility provider. These homeowners almost always need to add more solar panels to the existing system. This means paying for certain things twice like permitting, engineering, paperwork, etc., none of which is ever cost-beneficial.

A good solar contractor will take into account the homeowner’s intention to purchase say, an electric vehicle, or a pool that could cause an increase in future electric usage. If there is a plan to increase usage, then a larger solar system will be needed. But if a homeowner, even with a properly sized system, now thinks they can leave on lights, appliances and crank the air conditioner now they have solar, they will be shocked when the electric bill arrives.

The Cheapest Solar Installer

Many times, unscrupulous solar contractors will not correctly asses a roofs’ condition and will install solar on a 30-year-old roof that needs to be replaced.

This type of solar project costs more because now the system will need to be removed and re-installed. These costs, along with the cost of a new roof ends up being way more than if the job was done correctly. Also, if this is done at the same time, both the new roof and the solar can be financed together to save even more.

Some homeowners also think solar is getting cheaper so they can wait for a little longer before pulling the trigger. However, the tax credits are going away. What was a 30% federal credit from 2006-2019, dropped to 26% in 2019 and will continue to decline each year until it disappears completely in 2022.  

The money you save each month with solar is much greater than the depreciating cost of technology. Yes, they are becoming more efficient but waiting longer does not help your wallet now.

A solar panel system is estimated to produce power 25 years or more. Some installation companies use cheap roofing sealants, and this increases the chances of having a roof leak 8-10 years down the road. The sun can be a brutal enemy of a home’s roof so you should ask the installation company if they use sealants such as Chemlink M-1 that allow for expansion and contraction for many years.

There is a wide variety of materials out there right now so its easy get confused about what makes something the best and most reliable. Find a trusted company that is a dealer for a manufacturer with a warranty backed product.