You’re here for one of two reasons. Either you’re thinking about getting a solar power installation and are doing some research about what to look out for OR, you’ve recently had a solar system installed and you’re sceptical of its quality. For your sake, we hope its the first one.

Ever wondered what a poor solar installation looks like? Well, here are some additional things to look out for aside from poor output and energy delivery.

1. Panels WAY too close to the edge of the property

Under absolutely no circumstance should a solar panel extend over the edges of your roof unless an engineering certificate is granted by a structural engineer. Why? To put it simply, wind can get underneath the panels and weaken the fixtures. Also, rainwater can fly over your gutter. This would be a VERY dangerous situation and something to avoid altogether. The way solar panels are positioned is dependant on your property’s location. There are different requirements in each state across Australia specifying how close solar panels are allowed to be from the edge of your roof. Remember, installers are required to comply with Australian standards and follow the recommendations of the racking manufacturer. Take a look at some of these unsafe solar installations.

2. Unsightly yellow/browning panels

When looking at a solar panel system, have you ever noticed any yellow or brown discolouration? If yes, then those panels may have experienced something called ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) degradation. This happens when the clear encapsulant becomes noticeably yellow or brown in colour. Also, this colouring can be caused by hotspots. Hotspots are very common in poor/low-quality solar panels and you will definitely NOT find any like these at Energis. These issues may reduce the overall lifetime of the panel and you may suffer significant power loss as a result. If you see this happening to any of your solar panels, make sure to get them replaced under warranty immediately. Feast your eyes on these unsightly things.

3. Dangerous exposed cables

Exposed cabling can lead to wear and tear of the wire’s protective layer (insulation) since it is exposed to the elements and slowly rubs against the roof. Not only does exposed cabling look hideous, but it is a HUGE safety hazard. In Victoria, all solar panelling cables need to be in a conduit. At Energis, we like to go above and beyond and install cable trays on all of our commercial projects. Look at these installations, MAJOR RED FLAGS.

4. Poor system positioning /shading

Naturally, solar panels work best when there is no shade cast upon them whatsoever. If one panel in a group is completely shaded, it can poorly affect the output of THE ENTIRE GROUP. It is important to have your roof properly inspected and have obstructions removed before going ahead with the installation. Look at what these poor people now have to deal with.

5. Just plain ugly…

You need to keep an eye out for unsightly panels. If they are poorly placed, have dangerous tilt frames, rust marks, cracks or exposed cabling, you may need to bring this to the attention of your installer. A good solar company, like Energis, will take into consideration how the solar power system will look on your property. Feast your eyes on these.