More homeowners are installing solar than at any point in the history of the technology.
This renewable energy resource, which takes sunlight and converts it into usable electricity for your home, has piqued the interest of thousands who are ready to make the switch. Solar panels leads the list of renewable energy generation for homeowners. One of the biggest decisions surrounding a solar system is who is going to be your american solar installer?
The initial installation, if done correctly, can lead to a life of little to no issues. But, if your installer does not do the job properly, you could be in for 25 plus years of headaches and issues.
So, how can you be sure that you are hiring a solar installer that you can trust? This article will discuss the following ideas to answer that very question:
- Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Online Reviews
- Receive A Multitude Of Quotes
- Consider Multiple Solar Panel Brands And Designs
- Be Sure To Check For Certifications And Licensing
- The More Questions You Ask The Better
- Ask About Warranty And Finance Options
- Put Value In Years Of Experience
Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Online Reviews
The US solar industry is well established enough to have a very strong online presence. This means that almost all installers will have a website or have been reviewed online by customers who have used their services in the past. This can be a great first resource to begin the process of selecting a solar installer. It is important to take these reviews with a grain of salt though because every individual is different and what may be a big issue to someone else may not be a problem at all to you.
Receive A Multitude Of Quotes
Once you’ve discovered the wonders of solar, it can seem like you will want to have a system installed as quickly as possible. While this excitement is warranted, it is important to take a step back and consider a variety of quotes from many installers before taking the plunge. To become a solar installer that has been around for a long time, you must be fair in your pricing. It is important however to consider that the cheapest quote may not be the best quote. If the work is done poorly, you may end up paying more for fixes in the future which can make your total investment in the system greater than if you were to pay a more experienced firm a bit more up front. Once you get all your quotes back, reference some groups like energysage solar marketplace to compare and contrast.
Consider Multiple Solar Panel Brands And Designs
Going into your project, you should recognize that solar is not a cookie cutter industry. The same product that is good for a home in Arizona may not be the best product for someone who lives in Massachusetts. Perhaps your home is a good candidate for a combination of solar for electricity and solar for hot water production? You should always think outside of the box when it comes to solar design and good installers will help you do exactly that. Companies like energysage solar marketplace will allow you to easily compare and contrast a variety of solar panels options and designs side by side so that you can make the best decision for your specific set of circumstances. Energysage allows you to weigh a variety of options such as the trade off of higher price for higher efficiency or a lower price for lower total efficiency.
Be Sure To Check For Certifications And Licensing
One of the first things homeowners should ask for before making their first payment is proof of insurance, certifications and licensing. This way, you know that these are experienced companies that have gone through the proper training to work with electrical equipment. Additionally, this also means that they will be familiar with sometimes complicated topics such as the feed in tariff in your state or net solar metering within your local utility.
The More Questions You Ask The Better
Solar installers who don’t want you asking many questions are typically not working in the best interest of the homeowner. Instead, you should be encouraged by the installer to ask as many questions as you want to ensure that you are comfortable with the process and feel at ease after each step. Are you curious about solar for hot water or need them to check tax credit availability for you? Then feel free to ask all the questions you need. Do you want to know exactly how much energy your system will produce certain times of the year? An experienced installer will be able to show you a potential energy calculator that can tell you exactly that. The US solar industry is complicated and you should always feel comfortable to ask as many questions as you want to your solar installer.
Ask About Warranty And Finance Options
Many solar products will have a warranty. This usually means that if the product becomes damaged or stops functioning the way it was designed to, you can send it back to the company for a free replacement. As solar technology has improved and become more durable, these warranties are extending longer and longer. It is important to ask your solar installer about their knowledge of the warranty process because they will more than likely be the person both filing the warranty claim and then replacing the old part for the new one once it is received. Additionally, you will want to ask your solar installer about financing options.
Many factors will determine what the best option is for financing such as the feed in tariff in your state, if there is one, net solar metering availability, and your ability to check tax credit eligibility for your home. Groups like energysage will be able to give you a better insight into all of the incentives you are entitled to. Renewable energy used in your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, if the solar installer knows their stuff, it can actually be cheaper than simply buying power from the grid.
Put Value In Years Of Experience
To become a solar installer that is worthy of your hard earned dollars, solar installation companies must hire individuals who have years of experience. These types of employees bring more to the table than those fresh out of school. They have seen almost every possible type of home and can make suggestions about what type of system design and configuration would work the best. Additionally, they have seen many of the issues that typically hold up the process of installing solar panels and can address them well in advance. This ensures that your solar project doesn’t get delayed and is completed in the time frame that works best for you and your family. A potential energy calculator will quickly show you how much money you are losing by not having your solar system installed in a timely manner so meeting deadlines is critical. Typically, solar installer that have been around for a long period of time have met their deadlines allowing them to stay in the industry for decades.
Solar panels leads the charge toward a more sustainable future. As more homeowners decide to make the switch, the already low prices will continue to fall which will convince even more people that it is well worth making the switch. Before you decide to go solar, be sure that your american solar installer is well trained, experienced, and willing to listen to your specific set of needs. Qualified solar installers will be one of the biggest driving forces toward moving in a more renewable energy focused future. Renewable energy used in your home should be a means of pride for you and your family. The way to get the best experience out of this process is to hire a qualified solar installer that you can trust.