Planning on going solar? But confused about which solar installer to choose for your rooftop solar panel installation services? We understand your concern.
Finding the right solar contractor can be a daunting task for first-timers, especially considering the investment this project demands. Moreover, even though this project is a one-time thing, its results or consequences (if it does not go well) continue for years.
There must be a series of unstoppable questions that cross your mind. Like, can I really trust their services? Would I be able to save as much as they are claiming? How long would it take to get my return on investment? Would they respond in case any unforeseen issue arises with my solar panels? And many more.
To save you from all these worries, and help you what you should really look into while on the hunt for the right solar panel installer, we have come up with this comprehensive blog.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Types of Solar Companies
Before jumping on any solar panel company, it is important to understand how the different solar installation companies function. And below is a glimpse of them:
Solar Equipment Manufacturers
The solar equipment manufacturers are the companies that design and build the solar panels and their related additional equipment. This includes battery storage solutions (to store extra electricity that can be used later on in case of power emergencies), inverters (to convert solar energy into alternating current), charge controllers, and others. They are responsible for the efficiency of these components.
Solar Installers
Solar installers are the executioners. They are the ones who do the site inspection at your home, including your monthly electricity needs, your roof condition, approvals and permits for installation, and the final size of your solar panel system. And after all the checks, they install the panels on your property.
Solar financing companies
These are the companies that make going solar affordable and feasible for you. The companies provide different solar financing solutions, such as solar loans, solar leases, and PPAs, based on your monetary situation.
Full-service providers
These are the companies that take care of everything except manufacturing the solar equipment. This includes providing solar panels, site inspection, offering quotes, financing, installation, and even post-setup maintenance services.
Now that you know the difference between each one of these, you won’t get confused about which solar company you should target for your rooftop solar panel installation services.
10 Tips to Find the Best Residential Solar Panel Company in Your Area
Know their work expertise
When we say work credibility, we are implying their real work experience and not just the number of years they have been in this industry. You may find companies with more than 5 years of experience but not a strong clientele base. So before saying yes to the solar installer, ask them how many rooftop solar panels they have installed so far for their clients.
Moreover, you may find solar companies such as Momentum solar, SunVena, Sun Power, etc working on different grounds. Some of them provide the whole package, including the site inspection, quotation, installation, and financial aid. While some of them collaborate with third-party solar contractors who install systems on the clients property on their behalf, So, if the latter one is the case, you also need to go through the work experience of sun-contractors.
Check their credentials
The next step to finding out whether a solar company is reliable or not is to check their credentials. In the solar industry, the North American Board of Certified Practitioners (NABEC) is measured as a qualified standard for solar contractors or solar businesses. So, before hiring a solar panel company, ensure that they have this certificate.
In addition, as we stated earlier, there could be a possibility of the involvement of subcontractors or financial aid companies. Therefore, you need to check their credentials too.
Quality of their solar panels
It is already a big thing that you are taking a first step towards solar. We get it. You want to save big while also contributing to the environment. However, it is imperative to know that every house is built differently, with different electricity usage and different needs for saving electricity bills. This means the types of solar panels your home requires might be different from your neighbors.
For example, if your house has a smaller area, you might want to go with the highest-quality and most efficient but expensive monocrystalline solar panels. On the other hand, if you have a considerable carpet area, you can manage it with less efficient and cheaper thin-film solar panels.
Considering your home built up, make sure that your solar installer guides you in the best way and ends up providing the best quality solar panels for your home.
Additional licensing requirements
Installing solar panels is a very risky business. There is constant exposure to electrical components and tricky rooftop sites that could turn into an unfortunate event in the blink of an eye. Because of this, 12 states (as of now) in America and Puerto Rico require solar panel installers to hold a C-10 license, which is an electrical contractor license. This license marks the potential of technicians to handle wiring or electrical component-related work. So, make sure that when you are going to choose a solar panel company for your home, the solar technicians hold this license.
Moreover, even within the state, IREC has implied varying, specified, and restricted requirements for solar installers. For more clarity, it is always wise to first have a first-person conversation with your local authorities.
See if they have a good market reputation
Companies with strong market reputations are perceived as pioneers in their niche, both in terms of delivering high quality and excellent customer service. And the same thing entailed solar businesses too. Forums like Consumer Affairs or Solar Reviews are great platforms to learn about customers’s views about a specific company. You can always count on them.
Go through a significant number of reviews, analyze their patterns, and see where they are heading towards. Are they implying a big yes or a big no? This will give you either a thumbs up or a heads up. So, before you jump on any solar company, always read the customers’ reviews and ratings.
Another way to learn about a company’s reputation is to discuss it within your circle—with your family, friends, neighbors, or even colleagues. If they have such good reviews for their services from customers, then we are sure someone from your community must have heard of their name.
Types of warranty they offer
Rooftop solar panel installations demand significant initial capital, including the cost of panels, additional required components like battery storage, additional workmanship, and post-installation maintenance.Thankfully, you can cover the extra expense if your solar installers provide the warranty plans.
However, it is crucial to know that not all companies provide the same type and level of warranty. For instance, some companies provide warranties for 25 years of duration on solar panels, while others provide warranties on batteries, inverters, and controllers too, in addition to the panels. While some solar businesses provide warranties that cover all three areas – panels, additional components, and workmanship.
So, always ask your solar service provider what kinds of warranty plans they have in store for you. This will save you from spending extra money in your pocket.
Can provide local incentives
Another one of the tips that will help you in choosing the best solar company for your home is to check if they are able to provide you with the best solar deals. And this can only be possible if they have a good connection with local authorities.
For instance, for solar panel owners, there is a net metering program that lets them sell extra electricity produced by the system. Additionally, there are many solar state incentives and rebate programs that could lower your expenditure by 25–40% and give you a slight relief on your lavish project.
So, before choosing a solar panel installer, ask them what kind of local incentives they can provide you.
Can offer solar financing solutions
When choosing the right solar company for your home, it is always wise to go with the one that can provide financial aid. While it is not a mandatory criteria, it will give a brownie point to those who can. The following are the two types of solar financing solutions:
Solar Loan: In this, the company allows you to borrow a loan for your solar panel project for a specific period of time at a given rate of interest. The best part is that you can start saving on your bills with a zero-down payment.
Solar lease: Unlike a solar loan, a solar lease allows you to rent the solar panel system with no upfront cost and no added stress of repair and maintenance. This can be done in two ways. Either you pay a fixed, recurrent monthly installment in exchange for solar energy at a relatively lower rate. Or you pay only for the power generated by the system, which is also called a power purchase agreement.
So, before finalizing your solar company, don’t forget to ask them what kind of financing solutions they could offer.
Full transparency with their policies
We are sure you won’t like to hire a solar contractor who does not offer full transparency with their policies and misses out on minute yet significant details. Ask them very clearly what is covered under their services and what is not. This includes warranty coverage, any safety prospects, and customer support.
If they don’t say it out loud clearly or dodged any sort of responsibility, then consider it a red flag. And immediately cross that company off your list.
Competitive prices
Going solar demands a hefty amount from your pocket. We are sure you won’t want to waste your hard-earned money impulsively on the very first solar company that comes your way. As you move ahead on the journey of finding the right solar installer for your home, you will encounter different contractors charging you differently for installations.
However, the best way they can charge is per watt of production your solar power system generates. A lot of companies usually send for a site inspection in order to find out your consumption needs and your roof condition. Based on that, they quote their services. So, make sure your future solar panel installer offers you competitive prices after all the fundamental processes.
Can provide roofing services
This might not be a mandatory step to follow. However, it is still a significant one. If your solar installer can provide roof repair services too, it will be an added advantage for you.
Ask them whether their team addresses the roof concerns or would you be needing to hire a roof repair service company separately. Further, ask them who would be held responsible if any roof damage occurred in the future after installing the panels.
Wrapping-up
Choosing the right solar panel installation company for your home is a laborious and ongoing process. However, the aforementioned tips will help you find the virtuous company for your needs, and that too at very competitive prices. So, follow them very religiously.
Moreover, the one thing that we did not mention above is to always look for solar companies that can provide roofing services too (only if possible). As solar panel installation and roof repair are very interconnected, it is better to find both in one place. This will save you from additional hassle and save you some money in your pocket. So, consider that too.
And last but not least, take your time, and only after considering all the pluses and minuses, say yes. Having said that, we are taking a leave now. We hope this blog helps you find the right solar company for your home.
