You’ve booked in your solar installation, and you’re looking forward to lowering your power bills. You’re just days from the solar installation team arriving, but there’s a problem.
There’s rain forecast for your installation date.
Or the day arrives and the sky is overcast and cloudy.
Or worse? You wake up and you can hear the unexpected pitter patter of raindrops on the roof.
The question is, what does this mean for your solar installation, especially if you’ve had to book in weeks ahead?
Fortunately, it doesn’t necessarily mean your solar will be delayed for a long period of time. So let’s start with the good news.
Some Installation Steps Can be Completed In the Rain
Steps such as installing an inverter in a covered area, preparing electrical wiring in the roof and ensuring that all parts are ready for installation can be done while it rains. If the sun comes out after a short period of time, installation can still be done, but usually later in the day. A good solar installation team will often be able to do smaller and less complex residential installations in a short period of time, meaning a delay won’t stop them finishing on that same day.
The Biggests Risks
There are two major risks of solar installation during or after rain:
- Risks with live electricity. We’re taught from an early age that electricity and water don’t mix, and that warning is spot on – especially for solar. Solar installers won’t install in wet conditions that may risk electrocution.
- The roof is slippery. This is just as big a risk for solar installers – it only takes one slip to cause serious injury. Although it’s a legal requirement that all installers wear a safety harness connected to the roof, there’s still a much higher risk of slipping during rainy weather.
If your solar installer still wants to install in rainy weather, it’s your right to ask for them to reschedule the install for another day. In most cases, you should be able to book another available date, as most solar companies prepare for changes to scheduling and the eventuality of rain.
The weather isn’t your fault; your solar installer should not ask you to pay additional fees or charges because of a delayed installation, or the need for rescheduling to a different day.