A rooftop solar installation can become a headache when a contractor adds unnecessary work or doesn't explain what they're doing.
One homeowner shared their story after a solar installer fastened extra boxes and a second gateway to the exterior of the house when they weren't needed.
Here's what to know
On Reddit's r/Solar community, the homeowner wrote that their contractor installed extra equipment the system didn't need and now wants to remove only part of it, leaving unused boxes attached to the house.
The original poster asked the solar forum two practical questions: whether the installer should cover replacement siding and whether any money should be credited back once redundant gateway hardware is removed.
OP went on to explain that, "They put two gateways on when they weren't needed, now there are PLC crosstalk issues that a filter is not able to totally resolve. They want to pull the second gateway and leave the empty boxes up."
One commenter put it bluntly: "Your installers are rookies," then shared an image of their own setup, which was far cleaner than OP's.
Another commenter blasted the installation, adding, "I just want to say that I genuinely am sorry that this is what you ended up on your house. It's really not that hard to install a quality solar installation and this hurts to look at."
Not every user was sympathetic to OP's situation, though.
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One wrote, "remove the equipment, caulk over the holes, paint it a similar color, [and] move on with your life."
More background
Rooftop solar projects depend heavily on workmanship. Even when the equipment itself is reliable, a poor installation can lead to cosmetic damage, monitoring issues, extra service visits, and disputes over responsibility, all of which can eat into the savings homeowners expect from clean energy upgrades.
Still, with an experienced installer, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. Homeowners comparing options can explore EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
Side-by-side quotes and installer comparisons make it easier to weigh equipment plans, ask sharper questions about wall penetrations and monitoring gear, and avoid costly surprises.
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Where can I learn more?
The mess over extra boxes and siding damage is part of a bigger pattern of solar complaints involving sloppy workmanship, unclear responsibility, and the headaches homeowners face when something goes wrong.
• In Nevada, a homeowner said Titan Solar Power destroyed parts of the house after a disputed installation.
• A homeowner sought replacements after an installer left footprints on all 12 new solar panels.
• In Nebraska, an HOA and neighbors threatened a retired homeowner after she installed rooftop solar.
These stories are a reminder to vet installers carefully, document any promised repairs, and understand local rules before a system goes up. Once a solar project turns into a dispute, the expected savings can get overshadowed fast.
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