The solar industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with numerous companies entering the market to meet the increasing demand for clean energy solutions.
Generating solar power on-site is one of the best choices a homeowner can make. Solar panels offer an attractive return on investment, a respite from expensive power bills, and a sense of helping solve the environmental crisis.
Unfortunately, where there’s money to be made, there are always people cutting corners. In our 19 years in business, we’ve seen hundreds of companies come and go.
There are many potential pitfalls homeowners must be aware of when choosing a solar installer. Homeowners need to consider many factors other than who’s offering the cheapest price.
We’ve fixed hundreds of poorly installed solar systems in our 19 years in business. By the time the homeowner has paid the bargain-basement price for a bad installation and paid us to fix it, they’ve spent as much as they would have paid a reputable installer to do it right from the beginning.
We don’t want to scare you or stop you from investing in a solar system. We’re 100% behind solar energy, and we’ve seen it change the lives of thousands of homeowners for the better in our 19+ years of service.
We want to help you choose a reputable installer before you put your home in someone else’s hands.
“For a homeowner, when all the costs are added up, remediation after a badly assembled job can cost as much as getting a great job done the first time.”
– Vlad Ringe, Exact Solar Operations Manager
There’s a reason Exact Solar has been in business for so long. We’re the undisputed premier installer of solar systems in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We’ve been installing solar since 2005 when it cost $9+ per watt.
With an unwavering commitment to homeowner satisfaction, innovative practices, and a personalized customer experience, we’ve set ourselves apart as the go-to choice for homeowners in our region seeking to harness the sun’s power.
Why does Exact Solar stand out as the premier solar installer in the PA/NJ area?
We have…
- A proven track record of high-quality installs
- An in-house electrical license and NABCEP certification
- A completely vertically integrated workforce
- 400+ 5-star reviews and several regional awards
- Endorsement of three major regional Solarize Programs
- Endorsement of several important vendors including Enphase, we’re a certified gold installer.
Exact Solar’s Unmatched Installation Quality
In almost two decades of servicing solar systems, we’ve encountered many systems needing maintenance or repair. As part of our Solar Orphan Service™, we service several solar systems that were installed by companies that are now out of business.
We’ve seen some very poorly installed systems in our time. Every picture below was taken on a remediation job we were called for (meaning something wasn’t done right the first time), so we came out to fix it.
In this article, we will outline the top installation errors that we see from our competitors when we’re called to service or fix solar systems in our region.
These are the things we research and obsess over so that you don’t have to.
Poor Wiring Management
Solar installations involve complex electrical wiring. A proficient installer will ensure that these wires are safely and securely installed and protected, minimizing the risk of electrical fires or malfunctions.
Your solar installation can raise your home’s aesthetic appeal and value if the system looks like trained professionals installed it.
In every project, we ensure that conduits run in solid pipes securely attached to solar modules with stainless steel clamps. In the photo on the right below, you can see the solid metal pipes running from the panels.
In contrast, we’ve seen companies use non-metallic split loom (which degrades in less than a year) or even leave wires exposed to the elements. This practice can pose potential hazards, endangering workers, animals, and your solar system’s efficiency.
Un-draining Conduit Gasket seals
Gasket seal placement is another area where Exact Solar shines. Incorrect seal placement without drainage for conduits can lead to system issues.
Water is enemy number one for any electrical system, and managing its drainage is critical when building a solar system. At Exact Solar, we ensure that every system we build is properly set up to drain out any water safely.
In systems we’ve repaired, we’ve seen installations where installers didn’t have water management plans. If there’s a leak somewhere in their conduit, the water could pool in one of the gasket connectors, causing damage to the system wiring and potentially creating dangerous live wires.
Improperly Torqued Connections
A solar system is designed to produce power and last for 25-30 years. If the connectors in the system (nuts, bolts, screws) are too tightly torqued, they can fall apart and cause problems long before the system is ready to be retired.
In the image on the left, the nuts were torqued too tight. Over time, this strain proved too much for the bolt and it snapped, exposing the components inside to the elements.
You can see in the photo on the right that we measure the torque range of all our connectors to make sure that they safely protect critical components.
Unsafe and Potentially Leaking Roof Penetration
The easiest and most cost-effective way to install solar panels on your home is by securely attaching them to your roof directly.
Because of this, there are a few components that must be drilled into your roof’s support beams. If this is done properly, it won’t cause any leakage, and won’t void your roof’s warranty.
If this is done improperly by an inexperienced installer, your roof could leak. Water could get into your attic and wreak havoc on your home’s structural integrity.
Many roofing materials have warranties that could be voided if the solar system is installed incorrectly. A professional installer will adhere to these warranty requirements, protecting your investment.
In the photo shown above, examples of installations that we’ve been called to fix are shown on the left. You can see that they could potentially let in the elements, and they don’t look very nice, which can reduce a home’s value.
On the right are our installations. We work hard to ensure that they’re aesthetically pleasing while never leaking.
Durability of Components
Solar panels typically have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, and it’s essential that all components of the system, including mounts, inverters, and wiring, are built to last equally long.
If these components are not durable, the system’s overall longevity and performance are compromised.
Using durable materials in solar system installations ensures long-term reliability and efficiency. If durable materials are not used, the homeowner will experience increased maintenance costs, frequent replacements, and potential system failures over time. These will undermine the economic and environmental benefits of your solar system.
Investing in high-quality, durable materials is essential for maximizing the return on investment and achieving sustainable, long-term renewable energy solutions.
Proper Labeling
Adhering to NEC (National Electrical Code) and IFC (International Fire Code), proper labeling standards in solar installations are vital for safety and ease of maintenance.
These standards ensure that all electrical components are correctly identified, facilitating safe navigation and maintenance for electricians and other professionals.
If the solar system is labeled correctly, any qualified person should be able to troubleshoot it, even if they were not involved in building it.
This is particularly important in solar systems as they involve high voltage electrical currents, posing risks of electric shocks or fires if mishandled.
Non-compliance with these standards can lead to failed inspections and delays in installation, impacting the overall project timeline and safety.
Our systems are appropriately labeled, as seen in the picture on the right.
Wiring Aesthetics
Neat and orderly wiring ensures easier maintenance and troubleshooting; technicians can quickly identify and access the necessary components.
Disorganized wiring is visually unappealing. A visually unappealing solar system will not raise your home’s value as much as a well-installed system.
Well-organized wiring minimizes the risk of damage to the wires, which can occur due to environmental factors or during routine maintenance.
Experienced professionals with high standards will ensure their wiring is tidy because it’s what you, as the homeowner, deserve.
As you can see in the image on the left, many companies will leave wires exposed to the elements and tangled. At Exact Solar, we ensure that all of our wiring is meticulously organized and pleasant to look at.
Miscellaneous Errors
In our 19 years of installing solar in NJ and PA, we’ve truly seen it all. Pipes tightened without tools, mismatched panels that weren’t aligned with each other, and wires zip-tied to system components without any sort of protection.
There’s a reason we’ve been around for 19 years. We do it right the first time. You may spend a bit more upfront, but we guarantee you won’t be spending money on remediation and repair.
Our warranty will cover anything that needs to be tweaked in your system. And because we’ve been around for 19 years, you can trust that we’ll be there if you need to file a warranty claim.
NOTE: A solar orphan system is a system that was installed by a company that can no longer service their system, whether they’ve gone out of business or maybe will no longer return their calls. Regardless, this means that the homeowner whose roof the system is on can no longer access their warranty or get routine maintenance done without paying a third-party contractor.
Homeowners with solar orphan systems find themselves in a tricky situation, needing maintenance and warranty services for their solar systems without the support of the original installer.
If you’re the owner of a solar orphan system and you need help, call us! We’ll walk you through this potentially scary situation. At Exact Solar, we service many solar orphan systems in our area as part of our Solar Orphan Service™. We’d love to consult with you to find the best solution for your home.
In-house Electrical License and NABCEP certification
Integrating solar panels with your existing electrical system requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to complex electrical codes.
At Exact Solar, we hold an in-house electrical license and a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification, a combination not commonly found in solar companies.
Having licensed, master electricians in-house ensures that installations are safe and optimized for maximum energy efficiency.
A NABCEP certification is widely recognized as the gold standard for solar professionals. It reflects a deep, tested understanding of solar system design, installation, and maintenance. This certification is only awarded to professionals with extensive experience and knowledge in the residential solar field.
We’ve gone the extra mile and invested in our training, so we’re the perfect company to work on your home. We adhere to the highest standards of electrical safety and efficiency. We’re not just a service provider, we’re your trusted ally in transitioning to sustainable energy solutions.
For homeowners, choosing Exact Solar means trusting their solar installation to a team that embodies technical excellence, safety, and a deep commitment to quality. An expert installer will ensure that the panels are functionally optimal and visually pleasing.
Exact Solar’s Vertically Integrated Workforce
Exact Solar is entirely vertically integrated.
For the homeowner, this means that your solar system will be built by the same people who sold it to you and designed it. Everyone has the same incentive: building the best possible system.
Our design engineers (who at larger companies typically focus only on the theoretical and planning aspects of solar installations) also possess hands-on experience with the installation process. They’ve been on residential roofs, boots on the ground, seeing how their designs are built in the real world.
Many larger companies outsource their design teams, often working with contractors in India or the Philippines. This means that someone far away is working on your system, drawing plans up for your home when they’ve never installed a solar system before.
We believe this practice is wrong. Keeping everything in-house means that quality is never compromised.
This practical experience leads to better communication between the design and installation teams, resulting in smoother, more reliable installations.
The depth of knowledge and experience each member of the Exact Solar team possesses means that homeowners deal with experts at every stage of the process.
Unlike larger companies, where specialization might limit the breadth of each employee’s knowledge, Exact Solar’s approach ensures that every team member has a comprehensive understanding of the entire solar installation process.
Outstanding Reviews and Accolades
We’re by far the best installer in our region. But don’t take our word for it: take a look at any of our more than 400 verified reviews from local customers.
At Exact Solar, our exceptional service and commitment to the community have been consistently recognized and celebrated.
We’ve been awarded the 2023 “Best of the Region” award for solar installers and the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia award. We’ve won PhillyMag’s “Best of Philly”, the Bucks County Herald’s “Best of the Region”, and the Courier Times’ “Best of Bucks County” for several years running.
We also have a seven-year streak of winning Angi’s Super Service Award and being a NextDoor Neighborhood Favorite for two years running. We have been recognized as a Top Solar Contractor for nine consecutive years.
When you choose Exact Solar, you’re not just getting a solar installation; you’re investing in a small business that’s been repeatedly recognized for excellence and dedication to making a positive impact in the region.
With our meticulous installation practices and our emphasis on safety and system longevity, Exact Solar is dedicated to providing customers with solar solutions that stand the test of time. If you’re ready to make the switch to solar energy, or even learn more about the process, contact us today for a complimentary, no-hassle consultation!