Experts examine good, bad sides of solar installations in buildings

By Kingsley Adegboye

Solar panels are a great addition to homes as they generate renewable electricity even on cloudy days. And when it comes to safety, they are among the most reliable technologies available. This is because while any electrical device carries a potential fire risk, incidents involving solar installations are very rare.

When issues do arise, they are typically linked to poor installation or faulty components, not the solar technology itself.

Rooftop solar panels are generally very safe and rarely cause issues, provided they use quality components and are installed by certified professionals. 

However, while they do not pose direct health hazards, improper installation can lead to structural damage, roof leaks, or electrical fires, according to past president of the Nigerian Institute of Building NIOB, and pioneer president of Building Collapse Prevention Guild BCPG, Kunle Awobodu.

According to him, the leakages are particularly noticeable during rainy season in buildings covered with alluminum roofing sheets, pointing out that the leakages occur due to incompetent solar panel installers. 

He added that the issue of leakages in homes as a result of bad solar panel installations is a major problem associated with solar panels on rooftops in Nigeria.

Structural risks

In his reaction to installation of solar panels on rooftops, Dr Arc. Otuoke Augustine, said “Structural risks from solar panel installations primarily involve weight distribution problems and roof integrity issues if the installations were not taken into at conception of the design of a building. Solar panels add approximately 2-4 pounds per square foot to your roof, which can strain older structures or roofs not designed for additional loads. Poor weight distribution creates stress points that may lead to sagging, cracking, or structural failure over time.

“Roof age and condition play a critical role in installation safety. Roofs older than 15 years or those with existing damage may not withstand the mounting process or long-term panel weight. Structural integrity assessments should evaluate load-bearing capacity, rafter spacing, and overall roof condition before installation begins.

“The mounting process itself can damage roof materials. Drilling penetrations for mounting hardware weakens the roof structure, while improper fastening techniques can cause immediate or gradual deterioration. Heavy equipment used during installation may crack tiles, damage membranes, or stress underlying support structures.

“Professional structural evaluations identify potential problems before they become costly repairs. Engineers can determine whether reinforcement is needed and specify appropriate mounting systems for your specific roof type and condition.

“Roof leaks from solar installations typically result from improper penetration sealing and flashing installation errors. Every mounting point creates a potential water entry path, and inadequate sealing around these penetrations allows water infiltration that can cause extensive structural damage over time.

“Flashing installation requires precise technique and high-quality materials. Poor flashing work around mounting points, conduit penetrations, and roof transitions creates immediate leak risks. Many installers lack proper roofing experience, leading to substandard waterproofing that fails during the first heavy rain.

“Roof membrane damage during installation creates additional leak sources. Walking on fragile roof materials, dropping tools, or using inappropriate fasteners can puncture membranes or damage protective coatings. These issues may not become apparent until water damage appears inside the building.

“Long-term waterproofing concerns include sealant degradation, thermal cycling effects on seals, and maintenance access issues. Sealants require periodic inspection and replacement, but many building owners do not realize this ongoing maintenance responsibility until leaks develop.

“Common installer errors include improper mounting techniques that compromise both system performance and roof integrity. Using incorrect fasteners, inadequate spacing, or poor alignment creates immediate problems and long-term reliability issues. Shortcuts during installation often result in premature system failures and safety hazards.

“Inadequate permits and code compliance represent serious installation mistakes. Unpermitted installations may not meet safety standards, can complicate insurance claims, and often require costly corrections to achieve compliance. Professional installations should always include proper permitting and inspections.

“Poor-quality equipment selection affects system longevity and performance. Some installers use substandard components to reduce costs, leading to premature failures and reduced energy production. Quality equipment from reputable manufacturers provides better long-term value despite higher upfront costs.

“Installation shortcuts that compromise system performance include inadequate cable management, poor electrical connections, and insufficient system testing. These issues may not become apparent immediately but can lead to reduced efficiency, safety hazards, and expensive repairs over the system’s lifetime.”

‘Solar installations are good, but…’

Former Deputy President of Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers NIStructE, Engr. Johnson Adeyoye, in his view said “Solar installation is good if properly installed and if handled by competent professionals, qualified engineers, technicians, installers. Solar power system consists of solar panels on top of roofs, solar charge controller, inverter and batteries which can be tubular(with acid/distilled water), dry cell or lithium ion. 

“Lithium batteries are the best, but slightly more expensive. Decision on the type of batteries depend on the pocket and economics. Solar energy installations if properly installed, are safe and durable. Even the quality of transmission cable/ wire used in the insallation is very important, provided it is not the cheap Chinese made wire/ cable. 

“Nigerian made cables/wires of the appropriate diameter/rating are known to be more durable, slightly more expensive and therefore preferable. The China made cables/wires imported into Nigeria are not of standard quality. Solar power installations are safe if properly installed.

On a personal note, I have been using solar power for well over a decade and because of proper installation with the right materials (quality wise), it has been very good.”

In his response, a certified sollar panel installer, Ikechukwu Henry, said “Rooftop solar systems are generally safe when they are properly designed, installed, inspected, and maintained. Most incidents involving fires, roof leakages, or structural damage result from poor workmanship, substandard materials, inadequate maintenance, or failure to comply with established engineering standards rather than from solar technology itself.”

Solar and roof leaks

According to him, Solar installations can cause roof leaks when roof penetrations are not properly sealed, incorrect mounting methods damage roofing sheets or waterproof membranes, rust develops around mounting bolts and expansion and contraction loosen fasteners over time.

To prevent these causes, Henry noted that “Use appropriate flashing and waterproof sealants, employ non-penetrating mounting systems where suitable, conduct periodic roof inspections and

follow manufacturer installation guidelines.”

To prevent solar panel installation from causing structural damage on buildings, Henry explained that before rooftop installation, there is need to investigate the following: “Additional dead load from solar panels and mounting structures, wind uplift forces, roof deflection, corrosion of roof members and damage caused during installation.”

He therefore recommend need for structural assessment before installation, wind-load analysis,

compliance with structural design codes and use of corrosion-resistant mounting materials, advising that those planning to instal solar panels on their rooftops should follow safety standards and regulations.

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