Instead of feeling relief after a solar installation, one U.K. homeowner was left scrutinizing the job for problems.
Concerns included a visibly scratched panel, missing bird protection, and a battery that would not connect to Wi-Fi — issues that undercut the promise of lower electric bills and greater energy independence.
Here's what to know
According to a Reddit thread, the poster said the project had been delayed and still wasn't finished, as the installer would need to return to fix the battery connection issue.
The homeowner's concerns centered on what they saw after checking the installation for themselves. They said the bird protection they had discussed was missing, prompting them to climb a ladder, and asked whether a scratched panel should be accepted and whether the roof tiles looked like they had been handled properly.
"That looks cracked, I wouldn't be happy with that," one commenter wrote.
Another argued, "Scratched panel? get them to replace it as the surface coating is compromised and debris / dirt / bird poo over time will have somewhere to stick."
Homeowners comparing bids can try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
More background
Bird protection also came up in the discussion.
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"I would make sure of bird protection. We had a mesh fitted, after pigeons decided to roost underneath. Noisy and messy. The mesh fitters cleaned up the panels and surroundings as part of the job," one commenter warned.
Concerns about return policies then shifted the thread toward buyer protections. One commenter said scratched panels can come from distributors and may end up outside return windows if they are not noticed right away.
"Your consumer rights trump their return policies. Every. Time," another user wrote.
Document issues early and push for corrections before signing off on the work.
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💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
EnergySage offers free tools that let homeowners curate competitive bids from local installers without giving up any contact information unless they decide to move forward with one.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. Homeowners can also use EnergySage's solar map, which shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with solar panel incentives for each state, helping them get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
If battery backup is part of the plan, homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates, before they end up asking the same question this original poster did: "Would you accept any other new product with a scrape along it? A boiler? A window?"
Where can I learn more?
Other homeowners have shared similar solar headaches, from botched installations to confusing contracts.
• In Nevada, a homeowner blamed a deceptive solar company for damage that led to legal action.
• A new homeowner asked how to find a company that was legit after predatory calls.
• A roofer's warning sparked debate among homeowners who said solar panels don't automatically ruin roofs.
• EnergySage's COO unraveled the mystery of solar costs by breaking down the pricing factors.
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