Solar Panel Systems

Step-by-step checklist

Identify

• Contact the claim adjuster right away. Ask them to hold the scene and for permission to retain an expert at the client's expense. Note the call in the file.
• On every claim, ask the client whether they want an origin and cause investigator to review the scene, or confirm one is already assigned. Note their answer in the file so the decision is on record.
• Make sure no evidence is touched or moved until the expert has secured the scene
• Get the client's approval for the scene exam cost. Most run at least $1,600 with travel, the day rate, and expenses.
• Find out whether the system is owned, leased, or on a power purchase agreement
• Identify the installer, the leasing company, and the makers of the panels, inverter, and battery
• Build a timeline: install date, any service visits, and when the loss happened

Hands off until the expert arrives. Nothing at the scene gets touched, moved, repaired, or thrown out until the origin and cause investigator has secured it. Evidence that's moved early can sink the whole recovery.

Notify

• Notify the installer, the leasing company, and the equipment makers
• Notify their carriers
• Tell everyone not to remove or repair the system until the scene exam

Investigate

• Hold a scene exam before the panels are removed
• Pull the permits, the electrical inspection, and the roof inspection done before the install
• Download monitoring app data from the inverter and battery
• Lab-test inverters, connectors, and batteries, then review the expert's report

Demand

• Review payments and out-of-pocket costs
• Sort the supports into photos, estimates, invoices, and reports
• Send the full demand packet

Negotiate

• Keep the installer and the makers on notice until the cause is known
• Follow up, and use a tolling agreement if the deadline is close
• If liability is accepted, negotiate. If not, review for ADR.

Settle

• Review the release, and make sure it doesn't free the other parties
• Receive payment, issue the deductible and client payments
• Final file review, then close

1. Identify

Common solar losses

Responsible parties to consider

• The solar installer and any roofing subcontractor
• The leasing or power purchase company, which often owns the system and handles service
• The makers of the panels, inverter, optimizers, racking, and battery
• An electrician who did later work on the system

Timing is your first clue

Mount leaks usually show up in the first heavy rains after the install. A leak lined up under the mounting hardware soon after the install points strongly at the installer.

2. Notify and investigate

Read the contract or lease

Look for:

• Roof and workmanship warranties, often limited to a set number of years
• Who owns and services the system
• Limitation of liability and waiver clauses
• Arbitration requirements

An expired warranty doesn't always end the claim. A claim for faulty workmanship can still be open under the normal statute of limitations and repose.

Evidence checklist

• Installation contract, lease, or power purchase agreement
• Permits and electrical inspection records
• The installer's pre-install roof inspection and photos
• Monitoring data from the inverter and battery apps
• Photos of mounts, flashing, wiring, and connectors before removal
• The failed inverter, connectors, or battery
• Service and repair records

3. Demand, negotiate, and settle

Liability theories

• Negligent installation, including code violations
• Breach of contract and warranty
• Product liability against the equipment makers
• Failure to warn about the roof's condition before the install

Defenses to expect

Negotiating and settling

• Installers and equipment makers will point at each other. Keep them all on notice.
• Review the release with the release checklist.
• Close with the standard closing letter and the deductible reimbursement letter.

4. Letters for this loss