re: Solar Power for Homes

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What's ur problem stink? U poor? Can't read? I said hurricanes and tropical storms. After 15 yrs in a business that can't survive without govt subsidies you have to come to TD to sell ur sh!t?

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OK insurance man....you got me! I work for one of the world's largest manufactures but yeh....I have to come here to TD to sell stuff....

Obviously not man, I am just sharing knowledge from my prospective that doesnt seem to line up with your insurance prospective....that should be so shocking, should it?

Good Night Bro...Im tired and your points are too weak to validate more of my time.

I originally posted my experience as a client of your industry. The insurance claims I referenced had leaks only on the panels. No other leaks on other roof penetrations or chimneys. I didn't post the pro's of solar because they are known. I would consider solar in a different region of the country...just not in the SE. U are obvisously biased.

Are you saying the installers didn't seal them to the roof with caulk or some type of silicone adhesive?

Couldn't figure out if it was that, or the fact that they didn't have a good way of fastening them to stop them from lifting during high wind situations

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had leaks only on the panels.

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How does a panel leak into the house? If a panel leaks, it is on top of the shingles. If there was a leak in the house from the roof area it was leaking from the installation/penetration point. That has NOTHING to do with the gear and everything to do with the installation. there were TONS of jackleg solar installers that were out there trying to make a quick bucks when incentives were favorable...that doesnt mean that they knew what there were doing when they installed the gear!

Ive sat in on multiple wind load testings at the National Wind Load Testing Facility and I can assure you that if a solar manufacture is selling gear in the US....roof leaks is of no concern of the manufacture after all of the hoops that we have to jump through to pass those tests.

No on the other hand....if installers dont install it properly.....I agree with you 100% that it could be a problem.

Obviously we are both passionate about our professions but it is obvious that you profession has an agenda when insurance claims are filed...and that is not to pay any more that you have to....place that blame on the homeowner, the builder, the contractor, the manufacture...etc.

My passion is from the prospective of a manufacture....we build it as the guidelines say we need to build it.... those guidelines often drive up the cost to the consumer and make products such as solar expensive...but we do it. Then we have to battle with insurance shmucks that still try to point the finger at manufactures because they know they have the deep pockets.

I understand your prospective and I am sure that you understand mine. It might make for a good internet discussion but we both now that when it comes down to it, we both have our reasons for our standpoint on the topic.

No harm...

Leaks didn't occur right away. It was the constant stress of high winds over time on the fasteners that eventually gave way to leaks. The industry may have a better system now, but the newer panels I've seen appear to be installed in a similar way to my panels.

Why are you attacking the insurance industry? It doesn't matter where the leak occurs, if it is a covered peril (wind), the loss is covered (subject to deductible).

Ok, I misspoke. The panel didn't leak, the failure was the fasteners. Again...the op asked for pro's and con's...as a homeonwer with a solar water heater and pool heater, I elected to not use this product in my new home. There are alternatives in the market that are better suited for me. My new home has geothermal hvac, tankless water heaters, ICF construction and spray foam insulation. Approx 5k sq ft living...my last utility bill gas/electric was $116 with approx 40% being fees, surcharges and taxes.

eta: geothermal fed tax credit at the time was 30%

Consider that you'll need a solar installer when you have to replace your roof. There are certainly drawbacks.

Also, a lot of systems cannot produce without some outside power as a safety mechanism. Also, you have to have a physical disconnect from the grid to use during outages. Otherwise you can backfeed. Some meters will not allow back feeding during an outage, but it often shuts off your entire circuit.