How to Choose a Solar Installation Company

As solar energy becomes ever more popular among residential and business users, an rising number of installation companies have also emerged to meet the demand. However, as expected, not all of these solar installers are the same in terms of expertise level, workmanship, and customer service.

Below are some tips to help you find a competent and reliable solar installer:

Recommendations

A smart way to start looking is by seeking personal recommendations from relatives and friends, neighbors and workers who may have an experience with local installers. You can also read online reviews, but check your sources as not all are credible. Many reviews, especially in marketing websites, are fabricated and misleading. Reviews by actual customers - through references provided by the company - are another great way to see which companies have created satisfactory experiences for their clients.

Several Quotes

Ask for a free quote not only from one company but from many. These quotes will often be based on your local electricity rates and your current electricity consumption, which help you decide the amount of energy you would like to offset. Besides comparing prices, a quote request can tell you how responsive an installer is, and may give you a hint of how hiring them will likely proceed.

Brand and Design

The solar company should be able to tell you the various brands of solar panels Monterey they install, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each. They should listen carefully as you tell them your needs and concerns, before recommending the solution that best suits your taste, budget, lifestyle, and target electric output.

Warranties

Solar panels' power output or performance warranty generally lasts from 25 to 35 years. A workmanship or product warranty may be offered as well, covering other parts of the panel, like glass and backing. Inverter warranties may last from five and 10 to 25 years, depending on whether they are central inverters or microinverters.

U.S. Certifications

In the U.S. , the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is among the most esteemed certification programs for solar PV and solar heating companies. Two others are the relatively new and consumer-driven Pre-Screened Solar Pro, and The Better Business Bureau (BBB). For further details, view here.

Level of Commitment

During the consultation process, gauge the company's knowledge, helpfulness, ability to speak in layman's terms, professionalism and responsiveness. These are all potential indicators of the quality of the business relationship you will likely have with them once you have signed the contract.

Financing Schemes

Because of the high upfront cost of a solar installation, various financing options have been made available to both residential and commercial consumers. For example, one can enter into a power-purchase agreement (PPA) or a solar lease agreement, get a home equity loan or apply for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. In any case, a good solar installer will always be happy to present all options that are available to you.

Check this out: https://www.britannica.com/science/solar-energy