Commercial solar projects involve significant capital expenditure and long-term facility integration. Avoiding common planning mistakes early in the evaluation process ensures smoother project execution.
1. Overlooking Existing Roof Warranties
Installing solar racking on a commercial roof without explicit written approval from the roofing manufacturer can void existing roof warranties. Always coordinate racking attachments with your roof manufacturer.
2. Relying Solely on Vendor-Supplied Payback Projections
Installer proposals often present aggressive financial payback periods based on ideal weather, zero degradation, and high utility escalation rates. Independent validation of inputs provides an objective baseline.
3. Ignoring Utility Interconnection Timelines
Filing for electric utility interconnection approval takes time. In some utility territories, transformer upgrades or grid study requirements can extend project schedules significantly.
4. Failing to Compare Proposals on Identical Metrics
Comparing proposals with different panel wattages, inverter topologies, and scope exclusions leads to apples-to-oranges evaluations. Standardizing RFP criteria ensures fair bid comparisons.