Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid: What I Wish I Knew Before Going Solar
More often than not, homeowners discover after solar system installation that there are hidden costs, overlooked details, and “if only I’d known…” moments that could have saved time, money, and stress.
From underestimating maintenance needs to choosing a vendor based solely on price, these lessons often come the hard way.
That’s why our team pulled together this homeowner’s guide about questions to ask solar companies before going solar.
Below, you’ll find the top 10 things homeowners wish they knew before going solar. Learn from real-world insights, regrets, and practical advice to help you make smarter decisions. We hope this can help make your solar journey start with confidence (and not with not-so-pretty surprises).
1. Choosing Contractors Based Only on Price
Going solar isn’t cheap, and it’s tempting to grab the lowest bid that lands in your inbox. But many homeowners who rushed into the installation of solar panels based only on price now say it’s their number one regret.
Why? Because the cheapest option often came with PV panels that weren’t built to last. Some even ended up with unsafe equipment or installers who disappeared a few years later, leaving homeowners stranded when problems popped up.
Others admitted they fell for high-pressure sales tactics, only to realize later they should have slowed down and asked solar companies more questions about warranties, track records, and what would happen if the company shut down.
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels, don’t just ask, “How much do solar panels cost?”— instead, dig deeper.
Ask the questions that reveal their reliability, service support, and long-term plan. Compare multiple quotes, look at reputation, and consider the full picture of your solar installation, not just the sticker price.
Because in the long run, paying a little more upfront for a trusted solar installer can save you from years of regret.
2. Underestimating Future Energy Needs
Here’s another common mistake: sizing your solar panel system just for today. Many homeowners later regretted not planning for 30 years of energy consumption.
Life changes — buying an EV, adding heat pumps, or upgrading appliances — can quickly outpace a system that’s too small. And suddenly, that “perfect” solar installation doesn’t keep up.
This is why you need the right questions to ask solar companies. Instead of only “How much do solar panels cost?” ask “Can this system grow with my needs?”
Most homeowners admitted they would have gladly paid more upfront to future-proof their solar energy system. Don’t let undersizing today limit your savings tomorrow.
3. Skipping Roof Condition & Readiness Checks
Rushing into solar installation without checking the roof’s condition is a costly mistake. Some homeowners had to remove and reinstall panels when repairs couldn’t wait — an expense that wiped out early savings.
A simple roof inspection before installation could have prevented it. Reinforcements or replacements may cost more upfront, but they ensure your solar panels stay secure for decades without disruption.
4. Believing Overly Optimistic ROI Promises
Many homeowners admitted they fell for sales pitches that promised lightning-fast paybacks. Some were told their solar panel system would break even in just five years, only to find the real payback stretched closer to 10–12 years once installation costs, maintenance, and battery storage were factored in. Others learned that a “5kW system” rarely performs at peak in real-world conditions.
Looking back, they wished they had asked more questions to solar companies and requested conservative ROI estimates rather than relying on overly polished projections. A little extra caution upfront could have prevented disappointment later.
5. Overlooking Ownership & Financing Details
Here’s a common one: not digging deep into the fine print of financing. Some homeowners jumped at leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), only to later realize they had given up major benefits.
With a lease or PPA, you don’t actually own the solar panel system, which means no boost to your property value and no full say over upgrades or battery storage.
And when it was time to sell their home? Those agreements scared off potential buyers or dragged out the process.
Many later admitted they wished they had known what questions to ask solar companies and fully compared ownership vs. leasing before signing anything.
| Ownership Type | Approx. Total Cost for a 5 kW | Maintenance Responsibility | Financial Aspects |
| Cash Purchase | $20,000-25,000 | Owner | Full ownership, tax credits |
| Solar Loan | $25,500-29,300 (with a ~5-7% interest rate) | Owner | Full ownership after loan payoff, tax credits |
| Solar Lease | $25,000-35,000+ | Solar provider | Low or no upfront cost; limited savings |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | $25,000-32,000+ | Solar provider | Pay per kilowatt-hour generated; quite low savings |
| Community Solar | Varies greatly | Shared/Provider | Receive bill credits based on your share of a solar farm’s output |
6. Not Planning for Battery Storage or System Expansion
Many homeowners didn’t think about the future. And when they wanted to add battery storage or expand their solar energy system, they encountered difficulties, such as reliance on the grid at night, reduced backup, reconfiguration, and higher redesign costs. Some also wished they had mapped out their property layout better.
The lesson? Treat your installation like a long-term investment. Think not only about what you need to know before going solar today, but what you might want 5 or 10 years down the road.
7. Assuming Incentives & Regulations Would Stay the Same
Some homeowners jumped into going solar, assuming today’s tax credits and net metering rates would last forever. But incentives shift — sometimes without much notice.
Federal credits phase down, utilities change their buyback rates, and local rules vary from one jurisdiction to another.
For many, these changes stretched their expected return on investment far beyond what was promised.
The takeaway? Don’t just ask “how much do solar panels cost?” — also ask “what happens if policies change?” It’s one of the smartest questions to ask a solar consultant before signing a deal.
8. Overlooking Shading & Placement
Where you place your solar panels matters more than most homeowners think. A little shade from a tree or the neighbor’s second storey might not look like much — but it can slash your system’s output year-round.
Many later realized they hadn’t factored in seasonal changes or the sun’s shifting position across the sky.
The result? This affects your projected energy system savings as the output is lower than you expected.
9. Treating Solar as “Set and Forget”
Many homeowners go into solar thinking it’s a one-and-done deal. Panels on the roof, switch flipped on, free power forever, right? Not quite.
While solar panels installed on the roof require far less upkeep than most home systems, they’re not 100% maintenance-free. Dust and debris can affect efficiency, inverters often need replacement after 10–15 years, and monitoring your solar energy system ensures you’re actually getting the output you paid for.
The regret? Not setting aside a budget or plan for these ongoing needs. Think of it less as a “set and forget” appliance and more like a long-term investment that performs best with a little routine care.
10. Overlooking Inverter Options & Hidden Costs
Here’s a detail many homeowners gloss over: the inverter. It’s the heart of your PV system, yet plenty of people sign contracts without asking which type they’re getting.
Later, they regretted not knowing the difference between microinverters and string inverters, especially when it comes to shading issues or future expansions.
And the surprises didn’t stop there. Beyond the flashy “$X per watt” quote, hidden costs crept in: extra insurance, roof reinforcements, and even setting aside reserves for long-term upkeep.
The lesson? Before installing solar panels, dig deeper into the fine print and make a list of questions to ask solar companies so your “final bill” really is final.
Still puzzled? Get a free solar quote right away!
Bringing It All Together
Going solar is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home, but only if you go in with the right and complete information.
Don’t be one of the many homeowners who rush to the installation of solar panel systems and end up with regrets. Do not make these mistakes:
- Choosing a solar installer based only on the lowest price
- Overlooking the roof condition before a solar panel installation on the rooftop
- Forgetting to factor in maintenance, monitoring, or warranty support
- Setting unrealistic expectations about payback time and return on investment
If you’re installing solar panels for the first time, these are exactly the points for research and the questions you should ask solar companies before you commit.
From “What do you need to install solar panels?” to “What financial modeling should I consider before installing?”, the right questions about solar panels can save you from frustration later.
The good news? These pitfalls are completely avoidable when you plan and work with the right partner for your solar rooftop installation.
If you’re ready to move forward, but want to avoid the mistakes many first-time solar homeowners make, here’s your next step:
Get your free solar quote right away, and don’t waste another second!
We’ll walk you through your true costs, show you how your solar panel system can reduce your energy consumption, and answer all the solar energy questions to ask before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hidden costs of solar panel installation?
Most people look at the upfront quote — “$X per watt” — and think that’s it. But the real price of installing solar panels often includes hidden or overlooked costs.
The biggest surprise? Your roof. If it’s old or weak, you may need to repair or reinforce it before installation. Add in permits, inspections, and grid connection fees, and the total climbs.
Other expenses include wiring, trenching, or long electrical runs. Long-term, there’s insurance, monitoring systems, and maintenance to think about — things a lease or PPA usually covers, but ownership doesn’t.
Planning to add battery storage later? Retrofitting can mean costly rewiring. And if an installer does sloppy racking that leads to leaks, you’ll pay to remove and reinstall panels just to fix the roof.
Knowing these costs upfront won’t scare you off, but it will help you avoid nasty surprises before going solar.
What is my system’s payback period?
On average, expect 7–10 years. Some sales reps promise “5 years,” but real-world numbers often run closer to 10–12 years once hidden fees and shifting incentives are factored in.
Your timeline depends on factors like:
- Location (sun exposure matters)
- Your energy consumption now and in the future (EVs, induction cooktops, heat pumps)
- Utility rates and whether policies like net metering stay in place
- Seasonal weather and panel degradation
A solar energy system isn’t a quick win, but once it’s paid off, it can keep saving you money for decades.
What insurance do I need, and what insurance does the installer carry?
Insurance is easy to overlook when getting solar panels, but it’s critical.
What insurance means:
- Coverage for accidental damage during the installation of solar panels
- Compliance with local codes — some states require proof of insurance before work begins
- Weather protection for events like hail or hurricanes
- Ongoing insurance costs (another “hidden” expense)
What to ask installers (the questions for solar companies):
- What warranty do you provide on the installation? (look for at least 10 years)
- Who’s liable if my roof leaks?
- What insurance do you carry during the project?
Reliable installers will answer these clearly. If not, that’s a sign to look elsewhere.
