Solar install turning out really bad - looking for some help/advice please.

[oilerlord]

Yup.....

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5617[/ATTACH]

I'm not kidding around with this photo.... your install issues just got very serious.

Here you go. Thankfully, this didn't happen with HXGuy's install, but very well what might have happened if he didn't take matters into his own hands and rewire his setup.

[foo1bar]

Where did I misses the catching fire?

I think they are referring to a picture of a different installation (not HXGuy's) with obvious fire damage to the panels

[MikeInRialto]

Where did I misses the catching fire? I think many of us learned a lot from this thread.

[oilerlord]

After reading this 77 page thread, I've learned a lot. Thank you. From all of it, the strongest visual was the picture of the solar panels up in flames due to an improperly installed PV project. Good luck with
your new solar venture, but honestly, the fact that you've been comfortable with and/or accepting of the installer's incompetence for so long, tells me that I wouldn't want any of said drama within
100 miles of my house or family. I suppose kudos are in order for finally straightening out the mess, however you had multiple opportunities stop the bleeding. That alone shows bad judgement, and in an odd way,
I think you actually enjoyed this ordeal. Others are absolutely correct that should anything go sideways in the future; the installer will, without a doubt, blame YOU for altering / modifying his "work".
Hindsight is always 20/20 but I (and I'm sure 99% of people reading this thread) would have simply written off the initial $1450 deposit, hired a reputable solar installer to give a written assessment of the damage,
and then started from scratch with that firm. We aren't talking about repercussions of having a few pieces left over by incorrectly assembling patio furniture - incorrectly installing PV has the real potential of burning
down your house.

We all like saving money but in all candor - peace of mind is priceless. Thank you for all of your posts, and for reminding all of us about what NOT to do along with the potential dangers involved. I have a project
going up next month, and you've clearly illustrated how it shouldn't be done. Again, thanks for that.

[Ian S]

I bet I know one installer you haven't contracted with! Best of luck in the venture.

[Alisobob]

Thats bad ass... all the way around the block.

Good luck with everything, and do your customers well.

[HX_Guy]

A sincere thank you Dusty, I appreciate it! It was a crazy crazy experience but you know what, I'd do it all over again because of everything I learned.

I think I may have mentioned it earlier but because of this, I have actually started my own solar business with another two partners about a month ago. We're not doing installs right now (contracted out to a very capable installer) but we've already got several sales and our first is being installed within a week or so.

I even made the full commitment with a new license plate...


(Company name is Sun Solar Solutions)

[dusty144]

Whew! Took a while to read thru. Bit late but Congrats HX_Guy.

As a DIY installer myself it is clear to me that the install process is not a mature industry. Which is why there are so many inexperienced and newbie type installers out there. Too many are learning on the job. This is the reason that after taking several bids I decided to do it myself. My system is up for 2 year 24/7 with 0% down time so far. The reliability of my grid here in the Midwest does help.

BTW, I think the snipping you have experienced is terribly unfair. Folks are talking from a commercial install perspective where a $10,000 change order is often acceptable while you appear to be talking from a home owners perspective where even $1000 is a major stretch of the budget. The fact that you saved $19,000 is immense IMHO. Esp. considering you had to use an installer who would accept your barter money which probably drastically reduced your options. I would love to hear more on how this barter thing works. It does give folks a rough idea of the savings that are available, even though one needs to be ready to step in to fix all the potential pitfalls. It is relatively easy to sit on a fence and say one should put up $19,000, hire a top rated installer and get it done but the vast majority of people I know do not have $19,000 sitting around, with very limited options. You have shown it is possible even for a relative novice to cut a sizable chunk of cost off, something like 60% of the cost it appears. My hats off to you.

Thank you for documenting in great detail and your patience in dealing with other posters. I wish more people would post their difficulties and solutions/failures, esp. in terms of trying to cut cost. I think people learn more from your process than the hundreds of projects that report no issues with a $40,000 budget.

Also, I too felt like an expert by the time the process was done and could probably fly through the install, as long as it is the exact same equipment and city! What I do know is that all AHJ’s are different and the equipment is all different and each one has a learning curve to it. Personally I don’t think I know enough to go into business based on one install. JMT et al… Again delayed congrats....

[HX_Guy]

Looks like they didn't care if your system was already on or you turned it off before they showed up.

I shut off the system two days ago when I got the email from the POCO that'll paperwork had been reviewed and thy were ready to schedule the meter swap.

[donald]

Finally, the end.
Good work getting this right. Guys like your installer are broke and trying to get by day to day. They always think the next job will be fast and profitable. His amazingly consistent sloppiness is surprisingly common.

[gregvet]

Congratulations!!. I have been quietly following your saga and all the responses you have had. May I say that you have been more than patient with your "Solar Contractor" and hope that all your issues with him will be resolved.

[Ian S]

Cheers and Congrats! Too bad we're headed into a wet few days.

[SunEagle]

Looks like they didn't care if your system was already on or you turned it off before they showed up.

Glad to see your system is now completed and will be Net metering.

[HX_Guy]

Freaking finally!!! It's a wrap folks!

[Mb190e]

3 months? I wired a deposit while on Summer vacation in Aug and installation was complete and net metering was turned on Sep. 16th. 6 weeks. Sunpower Elite dealer and a fat check.

The longest part was waiting for the state to approve the rebate.