Installing solar panels for your home or business is a smart move. Selecting the right solar panel installation company will ensure that your system is providing you with the maximum amount of energy efficiency and reliability. There are several aspects that you should consider before hiring a solar company. We’ve got some tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of choosing the wrong solar panel installation company for the job.
Ask the right questions when choosing your solar panel company.
Experience
Experience is always an important factor to consider when choosing a solar panel installation company. Installing solar panels can be a big and complicated job. You want to make sure that your system is structurally sound, provides you with the most amount of energy savings and will have a long life of providing you with solar power. While those without a lot of experience can be good at the job, it’s best to find people who have plenty of experience under their belt to ensure that you’re getting someone who knows the job inside and out. Ask questions about the details of the installation, solar panel technology and the type of projects that they have completed. You might not be an expert on any of these topics, but you’ll get a sense if your prospective company is, by the way they answer your questions.
Warranty
Most people feel more comfortable with big purchases if they get a secure and long warranty. Ask various solar panel companies about their warranty policy. If you’re interested in a particular solar panel set-up, ask what the warranty options are for that specific system. Make sure to get various quotes to compare the warranties of various companies. It’s also a good idea to get pricing quotes for the warranties if they don’t come with the solar panels. Get the warranty details in writing before you agree to the job or sign any contracts. Despite the fact that it may be a long document with small writing, make sure you read it completely and ask questions for any of the specifics that are not clear to you.
Maintenance
It’s important to get regular maintenance on your solar panels to ensure that they work properly and last for as long as possible. Many companies who install solar panels will also offer maintenance services for the panels. Most solar panels require cleaning to ensure they are working at peak energy efficiency and may require regular technical checks of the system. Ask what regularly goes into the maintenance process and get an estimate of the cost. Some companies have different ideas of when solar panels should receive maintenance, and location and weather also come into play in gauging frequency. Companies also vary in how much they cost for the service as well as what goes into the procedure. Comparing the cost, frequency and procedures of each company will allow you to figure out which company to choose for your regular maintenance.
References
Any company can build themselves up with embellishments and fancy marketing, so it can be very difficult to know which company is actually reliable and professional and which ones aren’t. However, you can weed out most of the bad options by asking for references. If a company can’t provide any references or your correspondence with the references seem odd, it’s best to avoid that company. If you know anybody who’s had solar panels professionally installed, you can ask them for their opinions on any companies that they may have worked with.
Big or Small project?… Choosing the right solar company is critical.
Options to Purchase or Lease
A good company will be pretty flexible when it comes to their options for purchasing or leasing solar panels. You should be offered several options in purchasing or leasing your solar panel system. If you lease, can you purchase them later? Are there any ways to get discounts? What is the leasing plan? All of these questions as well as any other questions about financial options should be asked of any solar panel company to better fit your needs.
Power Purchase Agreements
Power purchase agreements or PPAs are contracts that are made between home or business owners and a PPA provider. They offer solar panels to property owners without any cost to them. Installation is completely free, and you would only have to pay for the electricity that is produced every month. Property owners with PPAs typically receive a discount to the traditional electric company rates. In addition, with a PPA you don’t have to worry about paying for maintenance. The PPA provider is the official owner of the panels, so they provide regular maintenance service with no cost to you. If you want solar panels but can’t afford the initial cost of the panels or installation fees, try asking for a PPA.
We’ve all heard of people having a bad experience with a contractor or other construction work being done at their home or business. You don’t have to be one of those sad stories. Choosing a solar company for the installation of your solar system can be a positive experience. All you have to do is ask a few questions and pay attention to the details in your agreement. Not only can you get the energy savings that come with having a solar system for your home or business, you can also rest assured that your chose a company that does the work right.
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Thank you for the help. I am planning on having solar panels installed on my house soon and am looking for the right company. I would like to be sure about the warranty before I make a decision, as you suggested. How extensive should a good warranty be on solar equipment?
Hi Justin, that’s a really great question… You’ll need to ask a lot of questions because the warranty coverage will depend on a variety of factors with your solar system and purchase method. You may be leasing, buying or signing a PPA(Power Purchase Agreement). Depending on your method of purchase, the warranty coverage will vary. In the event of a lease or purchase, you would be responsible for the equipment and therefore will need the complete details about the warranty on the system. If you sign a PPA, then the solar installation company will own the panels, so they will be responsible for all the warranty issues on the solar system. Additionally, you should ask if the solar panel hardware is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or by the installer. Here are the typical warranties for the most important components of a solar power systems: Parts and Labor 2 years installer warranty, Solar Panels 20-25 year manufacture warranty, Batteries 5-10 year manufacture warranty, Inverters 5-10 year manufacture warranty. You should also ask about service contracts and extended warranties on the solar power system. There’s an extra fee for these, but it may be worth it to you. Good luck and keep us updated on your purchase…