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Installing solar panels is a smart investment that can Increase the value of your homeand Reduce your energy billsAnd help protect the environment. A Recent CNET survey It found that 78% of adults surveyed previously had high energy bills, and making the switch to solar power is the logical next step. However, with tens of thousands of dollars on the line, you don’t want to make this decision lightly, even if the big federal incentives make it more attractive.
After researching companies, reading reviews and collecting recommendations from friends and neighbors, you will need to choose the right installer. Know the right type of questions to ask Solar energy companies In your area, it can ensure a smooth installation experience and save you thousands over the life of your system.
Here are 15 questions to ask solar installers to make sure you make the right choice.
1. How long have you been at work?
The modern solar industry boom means that more companies than ever are in business. This is generally a good thing, but not all of them are experienced or even legitimate companies.
said Janie Hill, Help Desk Manager with United Solar Neighborsa non-profit that helps consumers go solar by forming housing cooperatives and providing educational support. Ideally, the installer will be in business for three or more years.
2. What are your company’s certificates?
Online reviews of solar stabilizers are a great start, but they are not as reliable as industry certification. the US National Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (Nabcep) sets standards for knowledge, experience and professional competence in the renewable energy sector. “We recommend that at least one person in that company be Nabcep certified to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills,” Hill said.
Additional certifications can tell you more about a company’s work practices and environmental standards. Certified B corporations are required to meet certain social and environmental standards in their operations, including fair labor practices and wages. said Micah Gold Markel, who established a headquarters in Philadelphia Solar countries In 2008.
3. What are the rules surrounding solar energy in my state?
“There are different rules for different states, so making sure the person you’re talking to can explain the rules in your state very clearly,” Gold-Markel said.
For example, ca The law restricts the backflow of residential solar energy onto the grid. In Pennsylvania, residential systems can send unlimited power to the grid, with utilities required to pay the full retail rate. These state-by-state differences can greatly impact… Recovery period for your system.
4. What solar incentives are available in my area?
plus 30% Federal tax credit Provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, you may be eligible for additional credits or incentives based on other factors. These incentives can add up, and this is before any local or utility-specific incentives come into play. A knowledgeable solar installer will be able to tell you about federal, state and local incentives that can help you save money. “You can get between 30% and 60% of the cost of going back to solar in tax credits, depending on how you use these different federal incentives,” Goldmarkel said.
For example, if you Purchase solar energy for your business It may be possible to accelerate the depreciation of this asset, allowing for a larger tax deduction in the early years of your scheme. You may also be eligible for additional credits if your installation uses American made materials.
5. What type of equipment do you use, and is it ethically produced?
Ask what equipment the installer plans to use and why they made that choice. A company that uses only one size of panel may not be the best fit if your home has a complex or architectural roof. “Beware of salespeople who suggest that there is only one type of solar system or… Battery storageThere are many solar equipment brands and system designs to choose from, Hill said. “
Gold Markel also recommends inquiring about where to obtain equipment, preferring panels that are manufactured in the United States. “We’re part of Amicus, a national cooperative of installers that buy solar panels from ethical sources,” he says. “If you can find an amicus installation specialist in your area, you know you’re getting a responsibly sourced system.”
6. Do I need a new roof before installing solar?
The age of your roof is a major consideration in going solar. Solar United Neighbors recommends replacing your roof at least 10 to 15 years before installing your system.
A competent solar installer should be able to give you an opinion on the condition of your roof and make recommendations as part of their proposal. “They may not be roofers themselves, but they should be able to say, ‘We see some damage on your roof and it would be a good idea if it was replaced before going solar,’” Gold Markel said.
7. Will your company perform the installation?
Believe it or not, the salesperson you talk to may not work for the company that will actually be installing you. Make sure the installer you are registering He will be the one doing the work.
“There are a lot of high-pressure marketing companies out there that are kind of solar companies,” Goldmarkel said. “All they do is marketing and sales, and then it’s from the solar installer to some other business. It can be a real recipe for disaster.”
Make sure you know who will actually be putting solar panels on your home before you sign on the dotted line.
8. What is your timeline for installation?
You’ll want to discuss the rough project timeline with any solar installer you’re considering – both in terms of when work will start and how long it will take to get the solar installation up and running. Hill noted that this is a question you should ask a reputable installer.
“Installers should ask about your time frame to install your system, so they can give you the room to do your research,” she said. “Really good installers will wait for you to come back to them.”
9. What types of maintenance packages or warranties are available?
Golden Markel recommends inquiring about extended warranties or processes and Maintenance packages Which covers the entire life of the system, which is usually around 25 years. “Ask if you can also get an operations and maintenance package, which is an extended warranty that covers the life of the solar or a longer manufacturing warranty than might come with the contract,” he said.
10. Are there fees associated with structured financing, and who provides the financing?
because of High interest ratesFinancing your solar installation is a less attractive option than it was a few years ago. If you are thinking FinanceBe sure to inquire about any hidden fees that may be part of the agreement, Golden Markel said. It’s also important to consider the institution offering the loan, which may be a third party, and read the terminology closely to understand what happens if you default.
11. What is the cost of my solar system in dollars per watt?
Homeowners tend to focus on the total Cost of installing solar energy Or cost per plate. Be sure to compare the cost in dollars per watt when comparing solar stabilizers. A solar module may have a similar total cost, but the wattage created can vary based on the size and capacity of the panel. The system with low cost per watt is the best deal.
12. How much consumption will my solar energy offset?
A good solar installer should make it easy to understand how much of your household’s energy consumption can be met by your solar system. Factors such as weather, shade, roof size, and home energy use will all affect how much energy your panels will create.
Information about how much electricity will be offset by your system should be included in a reputable solar installer’s proposal for your project, and installers should be forthcoming about this information. “If that is clearly laid out in a proposal, then nine times out of ten, that’s a green flag,” Hill said.
13. What are lifetime savings based on?
Your discussions with solar installers should not only estimate how much you will save over the life of your system but also include how that estimate is derived.
Fixers calculate lifetime savings using a metric called Salem Interest. This ratio describes the expected rate of energy cost inflation and is based on historical trends (and differs from escalators in a Power Purchase Agreement). Solar United Neighbors recommends checking that the utility scale used in competing proposals from different installers is the same to help you compare accurately.
14. Is the power generation estimate guaranteed?
It’s not possible to ensure that every panel in your solar system will always produce power at the maximum level, Gold Markel said.
“If the total power output is within a reasonable error rate of, say, 10% of what was predicted, then I think you should be happy with the result,” he says.
15. How do I sell solar credits to the grid?
Net metering policies In some states, they allow you to sell the power generated by your solar system to the public grid — a great solar incentive that can significantly reduce the payback period on your system. You typically do not sell this energy to your energy utility directly.
Instead, homeowners often sell solar renewable energy certificates, or SRECs, through a third party known as a broker or aggregator. Your installation may be able to connect you with a broker. If you prefer to choose your own broker, Solar United Neighbors recommends checking your contract to make sure they are not prohibited in your agreement.
