“Observe damage to roofs”
Flood of complaints about incorrectly installed solar systems
April 5, 2024, 1:11 a.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
Germany will record an all-time high in solar expansion in 2023. But for many homeowners, the desire to have their own system literally has a downside. Consumer advice centers are registering a rapid increase in complaints. Roofers also report installation dramas.
The boom in solar expansion in Germany is causing a significant increase in customer complaints to consumer advice centers. “In 2023, more than 1,700 complaints about photovoltaic systems were recorded in consumer advice centers, with an increase in the number of monthly complaints recorded over the year 2023. Compared to 2022, complaints about PV systems have increased more than three times ( 2022: almost 500 complaints) increased,” the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) told the newspapers of the Funke media group. Accordingly, the most common reasons for complaints are delivery/service disruptions (44 percent) and warranty problems (14 percent).
In Germany, more solar systems were installed on private homes last year than ever before: in 2023, the number of PV systems installed on German house roofs was 736,000. According to the Federal Solar Industry Association (BSW), there were only 315,000 solar power systems a year ago. “Word has gotten around in Germany’s residential areas about how high the possible solar power harvest is on an average home roof with a south or east/west orientation,” BSW managing director Carsten Körnig told the newspapers.
The association admitted that the boom had its downsides. The main problem is that the high demand attracts many non-specialist companies. “The rapidly increasing demand for photovoltaics is of course also causing new players to enter the market. We cannot assess the extent to which they always adequately qualify their employees,” said the BSW boss.
“Damage to the roof is often not immediately noticeable”
According to their own statements, roofers see themselves as the victims of the German solar boom. “In fact, we are observing an increase in damage to roofs that can be directly attributed to improper installation of photovoltaic systems. Roofing companies are increasingly being contacted by affected builders in order to correct these defects,” said the vice president of the ZVDH roofing association, Michael Zimmermann. According to the craftsman, the most common mistakes are made before the PV system is actually installed – namely when the suitability and condition of the roof are not carefully checked.
The specialist sees any damage to the roof covering, roof sealing or roof insulation during installation as further critical points. This is not always immediately noticeable, but in the long term it can lead to serious leaks. “These errors, especially in combination with a lack of consideration of the wind loads in different wind zones, can endanger the stability and safety of the system. The additional load caused by the photovoltaic system can also influence the statics of the roof,” ZVDH Vice President Zimmermann continued.