COI requirements by trade / Solar installation
Solar installation COI requirements
Solar installs combine rooftop work, roof penetrations, and electrical tie-ins. That mix of fall risk, leak risk, and fire risk makes a solar installer's certificate worth reading line by line.
What makes solar installation risky
- Falls from roofs during panel and racking installation.
- Roof leaks from mounting penetrations, often discovered months later.
- Electrical fires from wiring, inverters, and battery systems.
- Damage to the existing roof warranty or roofing materials.
Coverage to require on the certificate
| Coverage | What's common, and what to check |
|---|---|
| General liability | $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is a common floor; commercial and multifamily owners often require more. Check for roofing or height exclusions. |
| Products-completed operations | Important because roof leaks and electrical problems tend to appear after the job is closed out. Ask for completed operations AI wording. |
| Workers' compensation | Statutory, plus employers' liability. Solar crews work at height, so be cautious of exemption certificates from installers with crews. |
| Umbrella / excess | Commonly required on commercial and multifamily rooftops, often $1M to $5M. |
| Commercial auto | $1M combined single limit is common for trucks hauling panels and racking. |
On top of the coverage itself, most contracts also require additional insured status for you (and the owner, where applicable), a waiver of subrogation, and primary and noncontributory wording. Those come from endorsements, so ask for copies.
Red flags on solar installation certificates
- A GL policy that excludes roofing work when the installer is penetrating the roof.
- Height limitations below the height of your building.
- An installer who subs out the electrical tie-in or the roofing work with no COI from those subs.
Tip
Ask who is doing the roof penetrations and the electrical tie-in. If either is subcontracted, collect those certificates too, and confirm the work won't void the existing roof warranty.
Review checklist
- Insured name matches the company on your contract.
- Every coverage above that your contract requires is listed.
- Each limit meets your minimum.
- No policy expires before the job ends. Track each expiration date separately.
- ADDL INSD and SUBR WVD are marked, with endorsements on file.
- You've asked the agent about any solar installation exclusions that matter.
New to reading certificates? Start with how to read an ACORD 25, grab the free COI checklist, or log dates in the free expiration tracker.
Common questions
What insurance should a solar installation subcontractor carry?
Common requirements include general liability, products-completed operations, workers' compensation, umbrella / excess, and commercial auto. Your contracts and broker set the actual minimums.
Are these limits required by law?
Generally no. Insurance requirements for subcontractors and vendors are set by your contracts, your own insurer, and any owner, lender, or public agency on the job. Workers' compensation requirements are set by state law. The figures here describe common practice only.
Does the ACORD 25 show exclusions?
Usually not. A certificate summarizes policy types, limits, and dates. Exclusions like height limits, residential work, or pollution are in the policy itself, so ask the agent directly when they matter for the trade.
Who should issue the certificate?
Ask the sub's insurance agent or broker to issue it, not the sub. Agents issue certificates daily and can send the endorsements at the same time.
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COI requirements for other trades
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