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“I hope you didn’t make final payment to this company.”
Photo Credit: Reddit
After seeing troubling details in a new rooftop solar setup, a homeowner in Fremont, California, asked Reddit, “Will this pass city inspection? My solar installer says yes.” 
The Reddit post included multiple photos of the rooftop work. Rather than focusing only on the city sign-off in Fremont, many replies zeroed in on elements of the install that they considered warning signs.
Across the thread, the same problems kept coming up. Commenters called out what looked like insufficient setback from the ridge, wiring lying against the roof surface, and at least one damaged panel. 
“Definitely not a pass,” one reacted. “If you paid for this from an installer you better get them back.”
Another reply said the install “should not pass the inspection,” pointing chiefly to the ridge spacing and the wires contacting shingles. 
A self-described former installer separately said the upper-row clearance likely relates to fire-code access and warned that cables resting on the roof can wear through their insulation over time.
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There was less consensus on some of the finer points. A few people said exposed PV wire or parts of the conduit setup might still be acceptable depending on how a particular inspector interprets the rules, but even those commenters described the work as sloppy and fixable.
Some replies focused on the long-term cost of leaving the defects alone. One commenter said problems like these could shorten the system’s life to “maybe in five years down the road or 10, instead of the 20 or 30 you should get out of the system.”
The damaged module drew separate concerns. The former installer said it should be swapped out before the system is energized because it “could potentially cause a fire,” and another commenter said the issues matter even if an inspector never steps onto the roof because they could still turn into “serious problems.”
A poorly executed job can threaten a homeowner’s investment and undermine confidence in a technology meant to save money, reduce pollution, and make homes more resilient.
The most consistent practical advice was to create a full record of the job. 
As one commenter instructed the homeowner: “Keep records. Keep paper trails. Keep communications. Take lots of pictures.” That same commenter also said the homeowner may need to be ready for a legal fight with the builder.
Several people also cautioned against releasing the last payment too soon. “I hope you didn’t make final payment to this company.” one commenter wrote, while another suggested bringing in an outside inspection before paying the balance. 
The proposed remedies were fairly consistent: replacing the cracked panel, getting the wiring up off the shingles, adding proper conduit stands, using the right end clamp adapter, and, if needed, trading questionable fasteners for UV-rated wire-management components. 
As one commenter observed, “Building codes should be thought of as a D- grade. They are not a goal to shoot for. They are the absolute minimum acceptable standard before failing.”
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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