Frequently
Asked Questions

A third-party solar inspection is an independent evaluation of your solar system performed by someone with no financial stake in selling or servicing your panels. Unlike your installer, we have no reason to overlook problems — our job is to find them and document them accurately.

Installers inspect their own work, which creates an inherent conflict of interest. Many issues — improper torque, wiring shortcuts, roof penetration problems — don't show up immediately and aren't caught during a standard sign-off. An independent inspection gives you an unbiased second opinion.

Many homeowners assume their system is working fine because they're receiving a utility bill reduction. However, degraded panels, inverter issues, or shading problems can silently reduce output by 10–30% without triggering any obvious alert. A production analysis is the only way to know for sure.

No. We are strictly independent inspectors. We do not sell, install, or repair solar systems. This ensures our findings are completely unbiased and our reports are credible for legal, insurance, and real estate purposes.

Most inspections take between 2 and 4 hours depending on system size, roof complexity, and the tier of service. You'll receive your written report shortly after the inspection is completed.

Yes. Our reports are detailed and professional, but we're happy to walk you through the findings so you fully understand what was discovered, what it means, and what your options are.

We proudly serve Tampa Bay and the surrounding Florida communities. If you're unsure whether we cover your area, reach out and we'll let you know.

We recommend an inspection every 2–3 years for most residential systems, and immediately after any major storm event, if you notice a significant drop in production, or if you're buying or selling a home with solar.

Yes. Many installation defects are present from day one but don't cause visible problems immediately. Catching them early — while warranty coverage may still apply — is far better than discovering them years later out of pocket.

The name reflects our core values: independence, accountability, and the belief that every homeowner deserves honest, unbiased information about one of the biggest investments on their property. Just like 1776 was about holding power accountable — so are we.

Our Standard Solar Audit ($499) covers a core safety and installation review, panel condition and shading assessment, inverter performance review, roof penetration and mounting integrity check, basic production analysis, basic module cleaning, and a professional written report.

Thermal imaging uses an infrared camera to detect heat anomalies in your panels while the system is under load. Hot spots can indicate failing cells, bypass diode issues, or wiring faults that are completely invisible to the naked eye. Left undetected, these can reduce output or, in serious cases, become fire hazards.

The Premium Thermal Audit ($699) includes everything in the Standard Audit plus thermal imaging under load, string voltage testing, enhanced torque verification, detailed production analysis, and insurance-ready documentation.

We document everything clearly in your report. From there, the next steps are yours — you may choose to contact your installer to address deficiencies under warranty, pursue a dispute or legal claim, file with your insurance carrier, or hire a licensed contractor for repairs. We can help you understand your options.

Booking is easy — simply visit our Services page, choose the audit tier that fits your needs, and schedule directly online. You can also call or email us if you'd like to talk through which service is right for your situation.

Absolutely. Solar systems are significant assets that transfer with the property, but so do any existing problems. Before closing, you should know the system's condition, whether it was installed to code, how it's actually performing, and whether any warranty or lease agreements are transferable.

A solar lease means you pay a monthly fee to use panels owned by a third party. A solar loan means you own the system after financing. A PPA means you pay for the electricity produced at a set rate. Ownership structure matters — if you own the system, deficiencies are your responsibility. If you lease or have a PPA, the third-party owner may have maintenance obligations. Either way, knowing the system's condition protects you.

If you're in a dispute with your installer, filing an insurance claim, involved in litigation related to your solar system, or need documentation for an attorney, our Legal/Dispute Audit ($1,100) is designed for exactly that. It includes as-built vs. plan comparisons, code-referenced deficiency classification, and legal-grade report formatting.

Yes. Our Premium Thermal Audit and Legal/Dispute Audit both include insurance-ready documentation. Our reports are structured to meet the standards typically required by insurance carriers.

Florida's combination of intense UV exposure, high heat, heavy rain, humidity, and hurricane-force winds puts solar systems under significant long-term stress. Mounting hardware can loosen, roof penetrations can develop leaks, and panel degradation can accelerate — all reasons why periodic independent inspections make sense here more than almost anywhere else.

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts that DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is what powers your home. Any excess energy can be sent back to the grid or stored in a battery system.

Net metering is a billing arrangement where excess electricity your system produces is sent to the utility grid in exchange for credits on your bill. Florida does have net metering policies, though the specific terms and compensation rates can vary by utility provider. It's worth reviewing your current agreement to understand exactly what you're receiving.

Most modern solar panels are rated for 25–30 years. However, "lasting" doesn't mean performing at full capacity — panels naturally degrade over time, typically losing around 0.5–1% of output per year. By year 25, a panel may be producing 75–87% of its original capacity.

The inverter is the brain of your solar system — it converts the electricity your panels generate into usable power for your home. Signs of inverter trouble include error lights or codes on the unit, a sudden drop in production, or your monitoring app showing no output. Inverters typically have a lifespan of 10–15 years, shorter than the panels themselves.

A string inverter connects all panels in a series and processes everything centrally — cost-effective but one underperforming panel affects the whole system. Microinverters are attached to each individual panel, maximizing output and making monitoring easier. Power optimizers are a hybrid — they condition power at each panel but still send it to a central inverter. Each has tradeoffs in cost, performance, and repairability.

Beyond normal aging, panels can degrade faster due to prolonged heat exposure, physical damage from hail or debris, poor ventilation under the panels, manufacturing defects, and water intrusion at the junction box. Florida's intense UV and heat make proactive inspection especially important.

PID stands for Potential Induced Degradation — a condition where voltage leakage causes a gradual but significant loss of panel output, sometimes up to 30% or more. It's caused by a combination of high heat, humidity, and certain system configurations. It's a real concern in Florida's climate and is one of the things we look for during a thermal audit.

Yes. High winds can loosen or compromise mounting hardware, flying debris can crack panels, and heavy rain can exploit any weaknesses in roof penetrations. Even if panels look undamaged after a storm, underlying mounting or electrical issues may not be visible without a professional inspection. We strongly recommend a post-storm inspection if your area was impacted.

Yes. Battery storage systems — like the Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery — add additional components including battery management systems, backup load panels, and additional wiring that all need to be evaluated. If you have or are adding battery storage, make sure your inspection covers the full system, not just the panels and inverter.

1776 Solar Inspections is a U.S. Air Force veteran-owned company founded by professionals with years of hands-on experience in solar field operations, installation oversight, and national sales leadership. Please contact us directly for current licensing and certification details specific to your needs.