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If you’re experiencing solar installation problems after investing in a residential photovoltaic (PV) system, know that they could be due to dirt accumulation or tree growth casting shade on the panels. Equipment problems, like panel or inverter defects, improper installation, or overinflated contractor estimates, could also be behind it.
You’re not alone in this situation, either; many Americans are in the same boat, with their panels failing to deliver on claims made by installers.
As KXAN.com reported in May 2026, the federal agency Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has already received over 2,000 solar-related complaints over the past decade. California, Texas, and Florida are the top three states with the most complaints.
Incorrect system sizing and improper installation are among the most common solar installation problems homeowners may experience. Others may also experience roof problems (e.g., leaks) and even fire hazards.
If a solar installer fails to review previous utility bills carefully, they may miscalculate a household’s energy load. It could lead to them installing an undersized system.
In some cases, installers may also fail to account for future energy use increases and seasonal panel output drops.
Regardless of the cause, an undersized system will not meet your performance expectations because it’s too small. The system’s production won’t be enough to offset your total household electricity needs.
Many homeowners also experience solar installation problems because their contractor (or subcontractor) may have performed shoddy work. Specific examples include:
Roof problems like leaks and rot can occur if a solar installer drilled holes for the panels’ mounting brackets without using the correct techniques and supplies.
They may have purposefully skipped the use of flashing or the application of waterproof sealants. Even if they only forgot, it still points to a lack of solar installer accountability and subpar craftsmanship.
It’s rare for solar panel systems to cause a fire directly, but it can still happen.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) says that in rare cases involving PV modules implicated in house fires, the cause was electrical arcing. Electrical arcing, an electrical discharge “jumping” through the air, can occur due to:
Yes, with one of the primary reasons being that the panels are reaching or have reached the end of their useful service life. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes, solar panels’ typical lifespan is over 25 years.
Other owners are getting rid of their panels due to:
All those are practical reasons, but for some, it’s because they regret their solar contracts and want to seek contract exit options. Their regret stems from being in agreements that involved deceptive sales practices, misleading information, low-quality work, and faulty equipment.
If your PV system isn’t performing as well as promised by your contractor, don’t assume the worst immediately; instead, do some solar energy troubleshooting. If that still doesn’t work, call your contractor next.
If your actual household energy use hasn’t drastically increased, your PV system’s underperformance may be due to dirt or debris accumulating on the surface of the panels. Try hosing them down with a garden hose or using a long, telescoping soft-bristle brush from the ground.
Check the surrounding area, too, and make sure there’s no tree overgrowth shading the panels.
If basic troubleshooting doesn’t do the trick, call your solar company for help. They should help you get your system back in shape, whether it’s through panel, electrical, or inverter repairs or replacements.
If your contractor doesn’t offer any resolution, or you believe they’ve engaged in deception, you may be within your consumer energy rights to seek legal assistance. They may have exaggerated the numbers when selling you the system, such as the panels’ potential output or energy savings.
In this case, one of your options is to get in touch with Solar Cancellation Resource Center experts. You can get direct access to legal support and representation, helping you get out of a bad solar deal.
If you, friends, or family don’t have a PV system yet but plan to get one, beware of potential scams and bad deals, often signaled by high-pressure sales tactics.
The sales agents or contractors may say they’re offering “free” or massively discounted equipment, but only if you agree to and sign the contract within the same day. They may use statements like “today only” or “one-time deal.”
Be cautious of salespeople who say their products will allow you to enjoy $0 bills. They’re highly misleading, even deceptive, because even if the panels offset the entire electricity usage of a home, utility companies still charge miscellaneous fees, which means that bills are unlikely to be $0.
Yes. Solar panels are still worth it, despite these mounting concerns about bad solar contracts and shady deals. Most problems with solar don’t stem directly from the panels or overall system; they have more to do with the installers or contractors, including their sales tactics and the quality of work.
Solar panels remain among the most accessible options to transition to clean, green, sustainable energy. If installed properly by a highly experienced, reputable, and trustworthy contractor, they should deliver their expected (and realistic) performance, helping you reduce your household energy use and bills.
From incorrect sizing to improper installation, roof problems, and fire hazards, these are all solar installation problems that homeowners can face.
If you’re in this situation, do some basic troubleshooting and then call your installer. If none of that works, consider your legal options, even more so if you believe you’re a victim of deceptive sales practices.
Find the latest on this topic and more by checking out our investigative reports, community news, and in-depth news coverage.
This article was prepared by an independent contributor and helps us continue to deliver quality news and information.
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