Monkey guards are needed in installations where the systems are threatened by animals, or children playing outdoor games, and provide protection against stones etc. as well. This increases the cost burden on the user, and simultaneously decreases the performance and efficiency of the system, apart from increasing the weight, of course.
The ground has to be leveled and support has to be provided for the stand.
Once the glazing (glass covering the panel) is broken, system's performance and efficiency greatly reduce. Similar new low-iron glass is not readily available, and if one manages to get it, has to pay lot more than the actual cost. Transportation of this heavy and bulky glass is also a difficulty to reckon with.
Tubes of the Evacuated Tube Collector are delicate and can break from external impact or freezing of water inside or, excessive heating of the unloaded system (no water inside) under the sun. Once a tube breaks, it is difficult to keep the system in operation. Such jugaads still leak some water. These tubes have to be purchased from the manufacturers only, because even the distributors/retailers do not keep them.
