People spend thousands on a solar system. So what happens when it doesn’t perform the way it should, or doesn’t make it to the 25 to 30 years it’s warrantied for?
In this interview with My Solar Quotes, Edwin O’Dea from Eco Shine Solar talks through the biggest mistakes people make when going solar, and the things nobody thinks about once the installer has left. Edwin has worked in solar since 2014 and co-founded Eco Shine Solar with his brothers in 2017. His job is making sure panels keep performing the way they should.
What’s in the interview
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:28 Edwin's background in solar
- 1:12 What makes Eco Shine Solar different
- 1:57 Mistakes before you buy: system design and size
- 3:55 Installation shortcuts: conduit, clamps and rails
- 5:22 Cheap panels and snail trails
- 6:50 Inverter warranties that work, and ones that don't
- 8:13 How to choose a quality system and installer
- 9:03 After install: stay interested in your system
- 10:38 How dirty is too dirty, and how often to clean
- 11:29 Lichen, the silent killer
- 13:51 Bought a house with solar
- 15:42 Should you clean your own panels?
- 17:31 House washing companies and solar
- 18:56 One piece of advice before going solar
Read more on each topic
We’ve written up the main parts of the conversation in more detail, with the short clips from the interview in each.
- How long do solar panels last in NZ? Lichen, cheap panels, the wrong cleaning and how to get the full 25 years.
- What we see on roofs after the installer leaves. Design, conduit, mounts and how to choose an installer.
- Getting your house or roof washed? Read this if you have solar. Bleach soft washes, water blasters and the one question to ask.
- Bought a house with solar panels? What to check first. Edwin’s five-minute walkthrough for new owners.
- Lichen on solar panels. Why it’s the silent killer and how it’s removed safely.
Edwin’s one piece of advice
“Just do your research. Solar is an investment in the future of your property and should be treated as such.” Get a few quotes, read reviews (not just the installer’s own website), and write down what matters most to you before you call anyone. “Don’t be afraid to spend a little bit of time getting it right.”
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