Bad Solar Installation!
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- BACKGROUND
Let me preface this by saying 2 unrelated companies pointed out the same issues in the video above. These concerns were expressed by my 2nd solar installer and the electrical company that installed my Generac...which I'm in the process of hiring to correct the poorly installed system. I don't mind paying for quality work; which you may ask why I don't ask the 1st solar installer to correct the issues under warranty...well, read on especially the link to screenshot email at the end.
We will call this 1st solar installer company in the video 'solar installer X.' In the beginning, I knew NOTHING of solar and its requirements. My roof was older, I was concerned and so asked solar installer X, "...are you sure my roof is fine for solar?" They said "yes"; and I asked this question at least 1 or 2 more times with the same answer.
I signed the contract Dec. 2019, install didn't start until Feb. 2020, permission to operate and start receiving credit back didn't occur until end of June 2020 most of this slow up, as explained to me, was due to COVID; and yes I agree with that due to lock-downs, supply, and personnel shortages. This same month (June 2020 still), we had several days of heavy rain storms, my fiancée and I found several really bad leaks where there were none before. I went into the attic, verified where the leaks were from and found they were from the solar penetration points; I proceeded to leave buckets up there to catch the water before leaking further into the house. I took pictures and video of dripping, pooling water in the living room and water running down wall of window sill in master bedroom, as well as the damage to the ceiling/walls afterward. I informed solar installer X and sent them pictures and videos.
solar installer X (the CEO/Owner, the manager, and head electrician) came out to inspect where the leaks were coming from and sure enough, they were all on the sides of the house that had solar installed by them...they walked the roof with me and told me, your roof is really worn/old... They said they would repair the damage to the roof but only the side where the panels are installed (understandably). They, however, advised that it doesn't makes sense to have possibly half the house with newer roof and the other half to be old and suggested I may be able to claim roof replacement under insurance...but basically my roof needed to be replaced (they suggested the insurance route most likely to not have to pay to repair the roof themselves is my internal thinking/opinion). Imagine my shock at which point I reiterated, "I asked you before the install if my roof was OK for installation..." Anyways, I tried the insurance thing only to find I have ACV and NOT RCV coverage on the roof...I am a first-time home buyer so this part is my fault but the agents who set me up for this type without explaining any of this in detail just to get me into the house should also be partially blamed. SOOO... I get ~$890 for my claim to replace the roof... I asked myself, what the hell am I going to do with $890... So, then I had to get a $15,000 loan to replace the roof that maybe had a few more years left in it before going solar!
When time to replace the roof, solar installer X came and removed the panels, rails, and all associated roof hardware. My roofer of choice replaced the roof, and solar installer X re-installed the panels and a couple weeks later sent out a 3rd party contractor to repair the water damaged/stained ceiling areas. From my experience thus far, I decided to get on my roof to inspect obvious issues which I should not have to do. I found empty water bottles under the panels from the workers, micro-inverters under the panels just laying directly on the roof instead of being mounted either to the panel or railing, inner wires exposed at the connection to the SolaDeck junction box, a solar panel protruding past the hip of the roof as if it was a shark's dorsal fin and conduit that was bent to match the contour of the roof on first installation, no longer following the contour. I made all these issues known to solar installer X and they sent their guy out to address the issues... I was at work on this corrective visit but my fiancée was home, however, she was only there to allow work to be done... I get home from work and do a visual review from the ground and find one of the lower panels is not parallel/flush with its direct neighbor (panel in video w/ mount not attached to roof). I find that it's because it's not supported by railing as the rail isn't long enough. I called solar installer X and they sent the guy back out and "appeared" to correct the issue...I said "appeared" as it's obvious in the video it was a hack job.
There's a bit more to this story but way too long to add here so here is an imgur screenshot link (i.imgur.com/G3...) for those interested in the actual email I sent the CEO/Owner and also to the manager that signed me up for this nightmare.
Omg…that is probably the worst installation I’ve ever seen. Sloppy, definitely should not have passed inspection by your power company. Not to mention the leaks into your home. I would be seething. I feel extremely fortunate to have had a competent professional company do ours. I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with such ….such… idiots.
Oh I was and am seething especially when walking the roof personally with the owner on his last visit with me and he stating that other than missing endcaps/clamps that it was all to "code".
I dont install in Texas, but as far as I know even outdoor rated insulated wire must be covered by a module and attached to the rail any exposed wire must be ran in conduit of some sort. AND THATS NOT EVEN THE WORST PART ! This is one of the most insanely poor installs I've ever seen. if this was in our company the entire crew would be fired on the spot. But that's the trouble with some of these fly by night operations. Tough break man I hope you get your money back on that one 💯
Thanks, I appreciate that it is plainly obvious to you the deficiencies of this installation... Litigation is a long process which I am currently in the middle of...
Solar installer here, this hurt to watch. Mistakes made at nearly every opportunity to make one. Pure negligence in most cases. Honestly I wouldn’t expect a customer to give us their final check if we installed something this unsafe, out of code, and unsightly like this.
Sorry about your luck, some solar companies are the worst…
Thanks, as you are a solar installer I am glad it is obvious to you that this was bad...meanwhile the owner of the company that installed this kept saying everything on the roof was fine and up to code and only thing he agreed with me on was that the panels had to be secured (which you can't do if the rails are too short). This on top of the deflecting he did when we were both walking the roof and I was pointing out the issues; I asked if he personally would be fine with this on his own roof, not a YES or a NO because saying 'yes' means he is fine with poor workmanship, while saying 'no' would mean he is allowing it on his customers' homes... SMH
If you live around DFW I can have a crew fix that all of that. Poor job on the installers part.
Hey, thanks for the offer! However, I've already had it repaired (per the law firm's advice) as it was an immediate danger at the time of recording with a storm coming that week I believe...
As a hobbyist homeowner that tinkers with solar, this doesn't pass my sniff test.
I say you have a great nose then! :)
This is crazy. I am installing my system soon and did months of research. I can see a diyer doing a better job. Good luck in court .
...thanks, this whole court thing is a suuuuuuper slow process...court next month.
So sad to see installers like this give us a bad wrap. You really do need to do your research which is great to hear. Hope your solar array is installed good and produces good for you
Hey man, this is terrible. My installer did the same cheap method of mounting the rack and conduit to the roof just using caulk and no flashing. I've only had it 5 months, but I'm for sure worried that the caulk will crack and separate and leak after a few hot summers! Every other solar installation in my neighborhood has mounts with flashing! I'm SO PI$$ED that I didn't educate myself more before letting the installer do this! You mentioned you were going to put out a second video with the fix job? I'd love to know how that went for you and the cost?
Not sure if you found it already, but the 2nd video is this: ua-cam.com/video/9ScJ9oCi0pg/v-deo.html
I hired one of the companies that pointed out all of the issues to me (they installed my generator and showed me some of the work they did installing solar panels on downtown buildings...the other company that pointed out issues was my 2nd solar installer) since they did a did a great job with the generator and went above and beyond to make sure my house was electrically sound by pointing out the mess on my roof. Anyways, the guys charged me a little over $5K to completely remove and reinstall properly with new mounting hardware...which I gladly paid to not have a hazard on my roof to worry about.
I feel you and hopefully your install fairs better than mine. I have definitely learned A LOT from this experience. And as you stated, at the time all other solar installation in my neighborhood were done properly, at least from what you can see from the road with flashing and conduit where mine was all wrong.
@@cooptonian thank you for sharing your story and next steps
thanks for checking it out...I also learned if you can sign any contract work WITHOUT forced arbitration, the better! This will leave you an avenue to hold the company accountable if needed...arbitration is a "get out of jail free" card
This is unreal, I'm an amateur following DIY instructions phonetically and even I know to never do any of this.
I have no doubt you would have done better...
Oh wow I'm sorry you've had to deal with this. Such a bad install I bet if you go in your attic you'll be able to see a bunch of lags that arnt in the stud.
You're quite right...when we initially notice all the leaking during a really bad storm, the attic was the first place I investigated...
I'd say you've had the cowboys in, but in Texas I'm guessing that's a compliment.
Now I've watched the whole lot, I'm shocked. Shocked that this crap is still mounted on your property. Those lifting panels are going to act like kites, ripping off your whole roof if the wind gets up enough. Who recommended that company to you? They shouldn't be allowed near people's homes.
Exactly, with this type of work hopefully they aren't in business for too long doing this to others...
How did his pass both building and electrical inspections?
...good question!
A good gust of wind and bye bye panels, also NO cables are supposed to be touching the roof, NOTHING
...yeah, I am not electrician but sure learned a lot after the fact, from others and my own research...for instance when a master electrician did an overview of my electrical system before installing my Generac generator; he said he didn't want to be that guy stepping on other's toes but he called out all the issues with this solar installation and I am glad he did and brought it to my attention...
@@cooptonian and also some of these installers don’t know anything about grounding and bonding. I glad you got everything fixed.
That’s wild
...yeah, and they think its to code...SMH
Why is it that all of my favorite content creators live in houston also? :)
The spaces is way off two,
OMG, probably the worst roof install I’ve ever seen. Seriously, let the viewing public know who the installer was. You also need to file complaint with the state contractors board. The whole system needs to be removed and reinstalled
Currently in litigation...slow process...but once settled I may release the name so no one else is unfortunate to use them.
Would you please state the company X? that way we all avoid doing business with that X. I live close to Katy, TX.
Since I am working with a law firm, I don't think it wise for me to name names publicly just quite yet...
Hello, I'm very sorry but this is the worst thing I have seen in solar installation, this not even a rookie aria such outrage, I think you should claim the inspector who happened the inspections, this should not last surte.
Thanks, I've started legal actions...
I am a volunteer solar installer and even we were taught better than this. I am sorry man, this is shoddy job.
YES...very shoddy!
BRO GET THOSE WIRES OFF YOUR ROOF YOU ARE GONNA BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!! I’m an a licensed electrician who installed and serviced solar for 5 years. GET THOSE OFF THE ROOF
Hey, thanks for the concern! These have since been properly routed within conduit and conduit mounts.
Stay away from these crap and pay your regular light bills
A case of you get what you pay for.
Oh, and then complain about.
Please do your research, if it's cheap, find out why.
...seeing as you do not know what I paid and you think what is evident in the video is not worth questioning your comment is highly irrelevant. So, yes, please do your research and maybe get some facts such as maybe ask what I paid before making a generalized statement on my particular situation...however, I do agree that whatever action, comment, decision taken should be an informed one.
Got any updates on this? Would love to see justice be served.
Yeah me too... Currently have a court date set for November (2023)...
Sorry you have to deal with this! This is horrible!
It is unsafe, not per code, and bad business . How in the world this solar installation passed inspection by your local authorities? There are so many things wrong with this installation: cables laying on the roof with no conduit, solar modules, not attached to the roof, inverters touching the roof, conduit, not properly, attach to the roof and not per code, …. I bet the installer did not follow the code for sizing the wires or properly connecting components in your system, which makes it unsafe and poses you to a risk of fire. Please file a complaint.
...court date set for later this year...we shall see. I will be dumbfounded and awestruck if they side with the company.
@@cooptonian Glad you filed it and good luck. I just put up my panels on the rails to complete the installation and was thinking about your system. I hope the court makes them pay for your damages Like the roof leak, time wasted on repairs and etc.
@@sarfarash1 thanks...I hope so too!
That mount sticking out from under the panel is bad. Should be under panel. What company installed?
...long long process and to this day still in litigation so I don't believe I can say...yet.
Buddy whoever s responsible for that should be behind bars and paying heavy fines too this shouldn’t be legal to do to anyone justice should be serve on this It doesn’t Matter the deal you had with them that’s totally unsafe if there s heavy wind your panels will fly off what’s all those wires doing there too
...yeah, agreed...currently in the start of litigation...
This makes my DIY job look terrific by comparison. So sorry to see this!
I'm no expert and have never installed solar myself but I am sure my noob attempt would have been much better.
@@cooptonian no doubt at all. You just have to care a little bit.
OUCH!!!!!
...ouch indeed! Costing me unnecessary expenses to correct the issues...
WOW HACKERS “R” US
yup!