What questions should you ask before installing solar panels?

Abstract: The financial incentives for installing solar on your building may be significant. However, there are essential enclosure considerations, that if left unaddressed, may cost those incentives (and some) to repair. Below are questions to ask before installing solar panels on your roof.

The gold mine on my roof

If you own or manage a facility with a large roof area, you have likely considered adding solar panels to their roof to make some extra money (and save the planet). And, why not – many systems can be installed without any upfront cost by the owner, and the incentives appear to be significant, right?

Yes, but while there are some excellent programs out there, there are critical issues you need to be aware of before proceeding in this direction.

My gold mine leaks

Many owners have found themselves in a situation where a vendor installed solar panels on their building, only to find out later that they have practically lost the ability to perform roof repairs or replacement without the vendor’s permission. In some cases, owners found that their existing roof warranties were voided when the solar company installed the panels, leaving them responsible for future repairs that should have been covered. This can leave an owner with a costly and continuing problem. Below are questions to ask before installing solar panels on your roof to avoid the likelihood of this situation.

Ask the right questions

Leaving the technical issues related to panel sizing, numbers, contracts, legal requirements, etc., aside, here are six questions you need to ask when considering an incentivized (or any) solar installation.

• Who is designing the panel installation? Ask whether the designer will thoroughly evaluate your existing roof, including all systems related to the structural, thermal, and moisture performance of the roof. For example, does the existing air, thermal, and water barrier systems satisfy current performance (or code) requirements?
• Who will be installing the panels? Confirm whether the installer is qualified to install the panels and perform all the necessary enclosure work. Do they know how to properly flash and seal all connections to address potential air and water leaks? Are they qualified to identify potential areas of concern when performing the installation? 
• How are your existing warranties and guarantees impacted by the work performed? The manufacturer’s warranty and contractor’s guarantee on your existing roof will be impacted if another contractor starts poking holes in it to install solar panels. Ask your solar company whether they work with contractors approved by your current roofing system manufacturer. Call the manufacturer and installer of your existing roof and ask about the impact of installing solar panels on your warranty and guarantee. If possible, ask if the solar company will work with the roof’s original installer. This may allow options for the continuation of existing warranty/guarantee coverages.
• Should performance issues arise after the panels are installed, who is responsible for addressing these? (If it starts leaking tonight, or in five years, who do I call? Name and number please.). Find out the procedure to follow if leaks occur once the panels are installed. Find out who will be responsible for repairing these, especially if it requires removing the panels to find and address the problems. Very importantly, find out how adding the panels to your roof impacts your insurance coverage, so speak to your insurance company early on.
• If future repair or replacement of the roof is required, what is the process for removing the panels to perform the work? Remember, your roof has a lifetime. The solar panel system also has one. These are seldom the same. Who is responsible for removing and reinstalling the panels to allow for the work. Many solar contracts require panels to remain in place, and there have been cases where building owners are legally required to leave panels in place until the end of their contract. You don’t want the lawyers to decide when you might address the ongoing leaks in your boss’s office…
• At the end of your contract term, who is responsible for removing the solar panel system and repairing the roof? Eventually, and what seems like many years into the future, somebody will remove the panels. Find out who will be responsible for removing the panels, support system, conduits, etc. Also, find out who is responsible for the repairs associated with this removal.

As always, get everything in writing so that there are no questions later on.

Conclusion

Despite the impressive financial incentives you are being offered, make sure you do not become legally obligated to deal with a leaky roof for the duration of your solar contract. As anybody who has been in this position before would tell you, the cost of dealing with ongoing roof leaks or a voided warranty may exceed the solar incentives promised.

When considering installing panels, consider first getting an experienced professional to perform a thorough roof evaluation and identify potential issues you might encounter. With guidance from an experienced professional, you can also generate a list, unique to your property, of questions to ask before installing solar panels on your roof. You might also consider some type of commissioning service to reduce the risk of future issues.