A UK homeowner who hoped rooftop solar would seamlessly fit on their roof ended up with a headache and an eyesore.
The job was revisited several times, yet the 13-panel array still appeared uneven and came back marked up and scratched, as they shared in the r/SolarUK subreddit.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit post, the homeowner described repeated attempts to fix the setup.
"I've had four or five attempted installations to rectify this set of 13 AIKO panels either they end up scratched or marked," they wrote. "Either way they're not aligned properly."
They also said the installer first blamed the bird protectors for making the panels seem uneven, before later saying the roof itself was wonky. The homeowner said the installer also claimed it had completed "hundreds of installs" and had never run into this before.
Even so, the proposed fix was drastic: "The only solution is to strip the whole lot and do it all again!"
People in the thread, including commenters who said they had installation experience, mostly backed the homeowner's concerns.
"Get your rails straight and work from there," an installer wrote. "Doesn't matter what the tape says, if it looks wrong, it is wrong!"
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Sometimes, it may be best to bring in different installers to avoid a job that looks rushed. Homeowners looking to compare options can try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
More background
One commenter said the alignment issue would not affect solar generation, but that did not make the scratches, grease marks, and uneven rows feel any more acceptable on a fresh install.
A user also noted that some roofs are not perfectly square, so installers may have to choose between what is technically level and what looks straight to the eye.
A poster captured that sentiment: "Do you want it level, or to look level?"
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What can be done?
For homeowners hoping to avoid this kind of experience, EnergySage's free tools let you curate competitive bids from local installers without sharing your contact information unless you choose to move forward. That can make it easier to compare prices, warranties, equipment, and installer reputations before committing.
With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
Meanwhile, EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
Where can I learn more?
This homeowner is far from alone. Others have run into similar trouble when solar projects went sideways, or installer claims fell apart.
• One homeowner was urged to seek replacements after footprints were left across 12 new panels.
• In Nevada, a homeowner took legal action after blaming Titan Solar Power for destroying a house.
• Homeowners pushed back against a roofer's claims about putting solar on roofs.
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