By The Coffee Shops™. 

Quality equipment and installation are key to protecting solar panel efficiency and long-term energy savings. 

Solar panels and inverters are engineered for durability. But as with any product that needs to withstand 25 years of sun, wind, rain, hail and snow, it is more likely than note that there will be an issue here and there over the 25-year span. When an issue occurs, you’ll want a quick and professional resolution to get your system back up and running at 100% as soon as possible. How do you do this? O’Donnell Solar Co. recently shared some tips in an article titled “How to Select and Maintain a Solar System to Maximize Long Term Savings.” 

The key to maximizing the long-term savings of your solar system is to select a reputable equipment supplier with a solid warranty and then to have that equipment installed by a reputable solar installer. Sounds simple right?   

There are dozens of suppliers of solar panels and inverters to choose from and while many of them manufacture good quality solar products, the truth is that many of them will not be in business for the duration of the 25-year warranty that they provide. Look for durable and diversified companies that are entrenched in the US and don’t rely solely on the solar industry for survival. Companies like CertainTeed, a roofing and building products giant have a much lower risk of going out of business and abandoning their warranty obligations. Remember, a warranty is worthless if the company providing it isn’t in business anymore.  

Next, there are a few key points you’ll want to check for in their warranties.  First, does it cover labor to repair or replace defective components?  Solar equipment costs continue to decline and labor costs continue to rise. Even today, it already costs more to have someone replace a solar panel than the solar panel itself is worth. Second, does the warranty cover the workmanship on the installation of the system? Some of the most difficult issues to solve are those created by poor workmanship (like roof leaks). 

Even if you have an installation workmanship warranty, you’ll want to have that equipment installed by a reputable installer who also is more likely to be in business for the duration of your system’s lifetime. Again, companies that are diversified, particularly in durable industries provide the best likelihood of being around for 25 years. Local contractors with established customer bases and long histories are a prime example.  An added bonus is if you find a company well versed in roofing as a solar installation will include dozens of penetrations through your roof to attach the system. 

Finally, you’ll want to understand what components are included in your solar system. Two key features that many companies omit are critter guards and snow management. Critter guards cover the gap between the solar panels and your roof around the perimeter of your solar array(s), preventing unwanted critters from nesting under your solar panels. In particular, squirrels chewing on and damaging wiring below the solar panels can not only cause very expensive repairs but can create hazardous situations. Additionally, snow management should always be considered in areas with more than occasional snowfall. This is particularly critical when solar panels are located over entry / egresses (including garage doors), decks or other areas with valuable property below. An uncontrolled mass of snow sliding off a solar array can be hazardous to both health and property.  

If you’ve selected a reputable equipment supplier and installer and gotten your system (with critter protection and snow management) installed, you should have little to no maintenance to worry about over the system’s lifetime. However, you should still set up alerts and regularly check your system’s performance via its monitoring system / app. And if you notice any issues, you’ll have a reliable contractor and equipment supplier warranty to get your system back up and running at 100%!  

Learn more about solar panel maintenance here.

Disclaimer: The information provided on AskARoofer.com or information sent by emails is the opinion of the writers. It is the responsibility of the reader to check for accuracy in one's own jurisdiction, as there are different codes and restrictions for different parts of the country. AskARoofer.com does not accept any liability for the use of information on this website or email. AskARoofer.com has no controls over product failures, installation or climate conditions that may change the roofing process in your area. Our information is in general to our area and cannot be the same as your local town or state. It is advised to seek the local Building Department, Licensed Contractor and local Product Representative for proper installation requirements and code enforcement when installing a new roof. 

By Emma Peterson. 

The team at O’Donnell Solar Company debunks common solar energy myths. 

Solar is becoming increasingly accessible and popular among homeowners. Not only is it better for the environment, but it also provides homeowners with a way to both lower and control their electric bill. With the right conditions and when designed properly, solar can help homeowners achieve energy independence. However, as with anything that grows in popularity, there are also a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding solar energy.  

Luckily, the team at O’Donnell Solar Co. is here to set the record straight and separate fact from fiction. Here are some of the solar myths they’ve been hearing, and the truth you need to understand the true potential of solar.  

1 – Solar is only for the sunny side of the street 

A common misconception is that solar is only effective in areas that get near-constant sunshine. This myth comes from a misunderstanding of how solar works. Solar uses photovoltaic energy (light energy) and transforms it into electricity. And the reality is that photovoltaic energy can come from both direct and indirect sunlight. In other words, solar panels still produce electricity on cloudy and even rainy days!  

2 – Money, money, money 

Another common myth is that solar is a luxury purchase only for the wealthy. And while solar is a significant financial investment, with double-digit increases in utility electricity prices becoming the norm, the question has now become, “Can you afford not to have solar?” 

Even with the federal tax credit for homeowners having been eliminated by the OBBBA, state and utility incentives paired with financing options continue to make solar far more accessible today. Further, technological advances in the last decade have simply made solar panel installation more affordable.  

Homeowners who choose to finance their solar purchase can have solar installed with little to no upfront cost. In this scenario, they make a monthly loan payment that generates equity in an asset they own rather than making a payment to a utility in perpetuity for zero return. In this scenario, the panels essentially pay for themselves!  

3 – A maintenance hassle  

Some people worry that with the installation of solar on a roof comes a large uptick in maintenance needs. However, if you work with trusted companies, like O’Donnell Solar Co., who, thanks to their sister company O’Donnell Roofing Co, has the expertise to ensure your roof is in proper condition to install solar panels, you should have no issues with leaks.  

And using high-quality panels, inverters, mounting equipment and standard critter guard, results in a solar system that is highly durable and needs minimal to no maintenance.  

4 – One and done 

With electrical grids around the country experiencing more strain, power outages have and will continue to be a struggle. Gaining energy independence from these grids is often a motivator for homeowners looking into solar panels. However, it is important to note that a solar panel does not equate energy independence. Many standard solar systems are tied to the grid still and will shut off during power outages.  

However, the idea that solar panels can lead to energy independence is not totally unfounded. If you pair a solar system with the right battery storage, such as Enphase or FranklinWH, solar panels can offer energy independence and peace of mind for homeowners concerned about electrical grid stability.  

These are just four out of the seven misconceptions the O’Donnell team tackled! Make sure to check out the other solar myths they’ve busted!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

A closer look at how pairing solar panels with battery systems can improve resilience, efficiency and long-term energy planning. 

As residential solar adoption accelerates, companies like O’Donnell Solar Co are seeing homeowners move beyond the initial decision to install panels and confront a more nuanced question: whether battery storage belongs in the system from the start. While solar alone can reduce utility costs and dependence on traditional power sources, storage changes how that energy is managed, shifting the focus from simple generation to deliberate control. 

That distinction begins with how solar energy is used throughout the day. A standard grid-tied system sends excess electricity back to the utility, effectively offloading unused production. Battery storage interrupts that exchange by keeping a portion of that energy on-site, allowing it to be deployed when production drops or demand rises. The result is not just efficiency, but flexibility as energy is no longer confined to the moment it is generated. 

That flexibility carries the most weight when the grid becomes unreliable. During outages, stored energy can sustain essential systems, maintaining continuity in situations where a traditional solar setup would shut down for safety reasons. In regions where severe weather or aging infrastructure increases the likelihood of disruption, that capability shifts from convenience to necessity. At the same time, daily use patterns benefit as well. By drawing from stored energy during peak hours, homeowners can reduce exposure to fluctuating utility rates and rely more consistently on self-generated power. 

Even so, the financial and strategic case for storage is not universal. In states such as Pennsylvania, where net metering policies allow homeowners to receive full retail credit for excess electricity sent back to the grid, the immediate return on a battery system can be less compelling. Under those conditions, the grid itself functions as a de facto storage mechanism, offsetting the need for on-site capacity in the short term. 

That balance, however, is not guaranteed to hold. As utilities reassess rate structures and long-term grid demands, the assumptions that support net metering today may evolve. For some homeowners, battery storage is less about capturing immediate savings and more about insulating against that uncertainty, securing greater independence as the broader energy landscape shifts. 

Ultimately, the decision is defined by context. Homes in outage-prone areas, rural properties with limited grid reliability and households seeking greater autonomy are more likely to benefit from storage. Others may find that a standalone solar system meets their needs. As adoption grows, the conversation is no longer centered on whether solar delivers value, but on how much control homeowners want over the energy it produces. 

Learn more about how solar battery storage can enhance energy independence, protect against outages and help homeowners plan for long-term efficiency and resilience!