Did you also know that more than 80% of homeowners face problems with their solar installation, most of which could have been avoided with proper consultation? While solar energy is an excellent way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, there can still be some hidden challenges you must comprehend before the installation process begins. A solar consultation with an expert is much more than a sales pitch; it can be referred to as a diagnostic tool that helps ensure that you are adequately prepared to move forward with solar without incurring unreasonable risk.

In this blog, we’ll guide you on how a solar consultation can unveil issues you never knew about that can cost you thousands if left unaddressed. We’ll go into detail about how the process works, discussing the most common issues that solar consultations reveal and how catching these problems early can save you time and money. Read on to discover why one of the smartest investments you can make before going solar is a solar consultation!

Why a Solar Consultation Is More Than Just a Sales Pitch

Some people misperceive a solar consultation as a sales representative trying to convince them to sign a contract. But that is far from the truth. A professional solar consultation is about understanding your preference in terms of scale, evaluating your property, and checking out possible issues hindering the success of your solar investment.

Solar consultation sessions have a long-term benefit: They prevent issues that will later cost you much more. For example, the expense of upgrading an electrical panel, reinforcing a weak roof, or addressing poor solar exposure could prove to be in the thousands if not handled. These problems may be hidden at first but can result in costly repairs or loss of efficiency later on.

According to a study from EnergySage, an online solar marketplace, homeowners who undergo a full consultation and thorough property assessment reduce their total installation costs compared to homeowners who skip this process. Here at Advisor Solar, we specialize in assisting individuals with more than just receiving a quotation. We focus on offering personalized consultations to enable our clients to make informed decisions regarding their homes or businesses.

Note: Before your solar expert consultation, read our blog, “Top 5 Questions to Ask During Your Solar Consultation” These critical questions will help you make an informed decision and find a great solar solution for your house!

What Happens During a Professional Solar Consultation?

A solar consultation is an in-depth process of evaluating elements of your home or business to decide whether solar energy is a good fit for you.

Here’s what to expect during a consultation with Advisor Solar:

• Evaluation of current energy usage: We will analyze your existing electricity bills and review your consumption patterns over time to compute your energy use and determine how to optimize your system.
• Roof structure and condition assessment: We check your roof to see if it’s solid enough to hold solar panels. This means watching for signs of damage or wear and tear.
• Sun exposure analysis: Using tried and tested tools such as solar maps, we adapt an analysis of the sunlight exposure of your roof. That helps define the ideal placement of panels.
• Inspection for shading from trees or buildings: We look for trees, nearby buildings, or other obstacles that will block sunlight and interfere with the performance of your solar system.
• Electrical panel inspection: A qualified technician will check your existing electrical panel to make sure it can withstand the load from a solar system.
• Review of available incentives and financing options: We ensure you understand the long-term savings you can expect, including available incentives, rebates, and tax credits that can make solar energy a cost-effective solution.

5 Hidden Issues That a Solar Consultation Can Uncover

A solar consultation doesn’t merely assure you that solar is viable for your home; it highlights issues that might occur if you proceed without a careful examination.

Here are five problems hidden behind the scenes that a professional solar consultant can uncover:

1. Roof Damage or Weakness
2. Inadequate Sun Exposure
3. Electrical Panel Limitations
4. Obstructions or Future Risks (Like Growing Trees)
5. Local Code and Permit Restrictions

1. Roof Damage or Weakness

Your roof is the base of your solar panel system. If your roof has structural weaknesses or existing damage, it will not be able to support the weight and long-term installation of solar panels. The only way to detect this problem is through a professional examination.

• Signs of old age: Cracks, leaks, and wear-and-tear.
• Improper installation: If your previous roof repair did not meet standards for solar panel installation.
• Potential for repair: Repairs must be dealt with before installation.

Research-backed insight:

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, almost 50 gigawatts of rooftop solar systems were installed in 2024 on 5 million homes and commercial buildings. The other 30% could struggle with problems like roof damage or shading. A detailed consultation can reveal these hidden issues sooner rather than later, preventing homeowners from spending money to fix them later.

2. Inadequate Sun Exposure

Shading is a common problem in solar installations and can significantly impact energy generation. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the onset of shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions can cause substantial efficiency losses in a solar system.

• Shading Impact: The NREL found that solar systems experiencing partial shading can lose 25% to 40% of their output. Even small amounts of shading can drastically undermine a system’s value, especially during peak sun hours.
• Obstructions like trees or buildings: Even just a slight shading can significantly lower panel efficiency.
• Roof pitch: The angle of your roof might not be optimal for producing solar energy. The optimal roof pitch for most home systems = 30° to 40°; this angle ensures maximum sunlight exposure is captured, especially in mid-latitude regions.
• Seasonal changes: In particular months, certain areas may experience more clouds or inclement weather, causing a reduction in expected solar panel output. For northern latitudes, a steeper roof angle (closer to 45°) allows panels to collect more incidental sunlight during the winter when the sun is lower in the sky.

3. Electrical Panel Limitations

Solar systems need a minimum electrical capacity in order to operate effectively. A consultation will determine if your electrical panel can handle solar and, if it can’t, the best way forward for making upgrades.

• Old or outdated panels: If your panel is too old, it might not be able to manage the additional solar load. Older electrical panels, especially those made before 1970, may not adequately supply the energy needs of a contemporary solar power system, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Commonly, these older systems only have 100 amps, which is not quite enough for a solar system that would require a higher amperage.
• Capacity issues: Your panel may not have enough capacity to accommodate a solar system. The increasing size of solar power systems has led to a standardization of solar power systems for panels ranging from 200 amps to higher. Alternatively, underpowered panels can cause system failures, overheating , and tripped breakers.
• Necessary upgrades: The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that residential homes often have electrical panels that are not designed to handle the additional load of a solar system. Additionally, electrical panel upgrades are reported to be one of the most frequent issues encountered by homeowners attempting to install solar power systems. Where an upgrade is necessary, the consultation will specify what that entails and the associated expenses.

4. Obstructions or Future Risks (Like Growing Trees)

As for trees, especially those close to your roof line, they may not now be a problem, but they could be an issue going forward. A quality consultation will pay attention to potential growth or new construction in the area that may pose problems in the future.

• Tree growth: Trees that are far from the roof may grow sufficiently tall in the future to cause shading.
• Nearby structures: People tend to forget the potential impact of nearby buildings or new structures on solar performance. As NREL states, New buildings or renovations can block sunlight and reduce solar efficiency. The shadows cast by these structures on the solar panel during its peak hours can lead to efficiency losses of 30-40% in extreme cases.
• Planning for the future: The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) believes that site assessment is critical in preventing future obstructions. Thoughtful solar consultation considers future developments nearby that could block sunlight and eventually limit the performance of the solar array, thus enabling homeowners to choose the best solar panel placement and system size.

5. Local Code and Permit Restrictions

Each region has local building codes and permitting requirements for solar installation. A professional consultation ensures that your installation will comply with all applicable local regulations, avoiding unnecessary delays or financial penalties.

• Permitting: The consultation process includes reviewing local permitting requirements. The permit fees for solar installations can vary considerably depending on the region, and these costs can sometimes catch homeowners off-guard. In California, a study of the home solar market by EnergySage found that permit fees for a residential system usually run between $200 and $800, depending on the jurisdiction. Other states, such as Texas, have fewer permitting requirements, which can mean lower upfront costs for installation.
• Code compliance: We ensure that your system meets all safety and construction codes for your area. NEC (National Electric Code) requirements are a fundamental part of solar system installation, ensuring the systems are safe and meet national standards. The standard enables compliance with electrical standards, prevents system failures, and secures safe integration into the electrical grid.
• Regulatory changes: We stay updated on any new regulations that might affect your installation.

How Identifying Issues Early Saves You Thousands

Being aware of potential issues during a solar consultation could protect you from expensive repairs and allow you to make adjustments later on. Replacing your roof or an antiquated electrical panel after installing a solar system can cost you thousands of dollars. Detecting problems early on allows you to:

• Avoid unexpected costs: Address issues before they lead to expenses.
• Streamline installation: A detailed consultation  will make the installation process smoother and faster.
• Maximize efficiency: Make sure your solar system is as productive as possible from the first day.
• Increase ROI: A well-planned system is designed to save more money over the long term, thus increasing the return on investment.

Why Advisor Solar Is the Smart Choice for Your Free Consultation

We at Advisor Solar have earned our reputation for offering better solar solutions, and we do it by putting our customers first. Our commitment goes beyond simply selling a product; we work to ensure the switch to solar energy is as effortless and cost-effective as possible.

Here is why Advisor Solar is best suited for your solar consultation:

• More than 10 years of experience in the field.
• Over 2,000 solar installations were completed successfully.
• Consultations are free of charge, with no hidden costs or obligations.
• Tailored solar solutions according to your specific requirements
• Financing solutions to make solar affordable
• Specialized in local regulations and permitting to prevent delays.

Choosing Advisor Solar means that you have a trusted partner from consultation to installation and beyond every step of the way.

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