1. System problems and installation risks: The vast majority of problems with solar energy systems occur from faulty installation. Even licensed contractors make mistakes, but at least if you hire a contractor, you’ll have recourse.
If you break a big, heavy solar panel , you have a massive object with a voided warranty that you need to truck back to the factory. Is it worth it? And counting on your roof requires holes in your roofing material. If you don’t do it right, you can create leaks. Nothing is worse than finishing a nice new project, only to find that you have an even bigger project fixing the leaks in your roof during a heavy rainstorm!
2. Safety risks: Getting the panels onto your roof may be the most difficult part of an installation. Use common sense about whether to hire somebody to mount your collectors! Consider the amount of damage that may occur if you fall and weigh it against the potential cost savings of doing-ityourself. It’s quite a mismatch — you can’t argue that.
Thousands of accidents occur each year when people fall off roofs, and the injuries can be serious, maybe even fatal. Composition shingles can be slippery when they’re old because the surface grit comes loose. This can catch you by surprise (and the only surprise you want is on your birthday). Roofs are always dangerous when they’re wet. Roofs with steep pitches are always dangerous, period.
3. Warranties and insurance: Sometimes when you do your own installation, the manufacturers’ warranties don’t apply. Check first with the manufacturers. (Some manufacturers refuse to sell their parts to private parties; they work only through licensed contractors.) Also check with your insurance company to see what varieties of damages will be covered by an incorrectly installed system.
4. Tax incentives and rebates: Sometimes tax incentives and rebates are contingent upon a system being installed by a qualified and licensed contractor.
5. County codes: A lot of locales require county building inspectors for the plumbing job. You can do your own plumbing and still pass, but you may want to consider this in your decision.
