Installing solar panels is a smart investment that can increase the value of your home, reduce energy bills, and help protect the environment. A recent CNET study found that 78% of US adults surveyed are stressed by rising energy bills, and switching to solar power is a logical next step. However, with tens of thousands of dollars at stake, you don’t want to make this decision lightly, even if big federal incentives make it more attractive.
After researching companies, reading reviews and collecting recommendations from friends and neighbors, you’ll need to choose the right installer. Knowing the right type of questions to ask solar companies in your area 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’re making the right choice.
1. How long have you been at work?
The recent boom in the solar industry means that there are more companies involved in this work than ever before. This is generally a good thing, but not all of them are experienced installers or even legitimate companies.
“Sometimes, these installation companies work fast. They’re open one month and closed the next,” said Janie Hill, Help Desk Manager. Neighbors United Solara non-profit organization that helps consumers go solar by forming housing cooperatives and providing educational support. Ideally, the installer should have been in the business for three or more years.
2. What are your company’s certificates?
Online reviews of solar vehicles are a great start, but they are not as reliable as industry certification. the American National Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) sets standards for knowledge, experience and professionalism in the renewable energy sector. “We recommend that at least one person in that company obtain NABCEP certification to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills,” Hill said.
Additional certifications can tell you more about a company’s business practices and environmental standards. B Corp certified companies are required to meet certain social and environmental standards in their operations, including fair labor and wage practices. “If installers are paid a fair wage, they are more likely to do a high-quality installation,” said Micah Gold Markel, who founded an installation company in Philadelphia. Solar countries In 2008.
3. What are the rules regarding solar energy in my state?
“There are different rules in different states, so making sure the person you’re talking to can explain the rules in your state very clearly is very important,” Gold-Markel said.
For example, California law restricts residential solar backflow to the grid. In Pennsylvania, residential systems can send unlimited power to the grid, with utilities required to pay the full retail rate. These case-to-case variations can greatly impact the recovery period of your system.
4. What solar incentives are available in my area?
In addition to the 30% federal tax credit provided by the Inflation Tax Act, you may be eligible for additional credits or incentives based on other factors. These incentives can accumulate, before any local or utility-specific incentives are triggered. 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 your solar cost in tax credits, depending on how you use these various federal incentives,” Goldmarkel said.
For example, if you are purchasing solar power for your business, it may be possible to accelerate the depreciation of that asset, allowing for a greater tax deduction in the early years of your system. You may also be eligible for additional credits if your installer 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 he or she is making that choice. A company that uses only one size of shingles may not be the best fit if your home has a complex or architecturally elaborate roof. “Beware of salespeople who imply there is only one type of solar or battery storage system,” Hill said. “There are many brands of solar equipment and system designs to choose from.”
Gold-Markel also recommends inquiring about the source of the equipment, preferring panels manufactured in the United States. “We are part of Amicus, a national cooperative of installers that buys solar panels from ethical sources,” he says. “If you can find an Amicus installation professional 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 a roof that has less than 10 to 15 years of life remaining 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 saw some damage to your roof, and it would be a good idea if you replaced it before going solar,'” Goldmarkel said.
7. Will your company do the installation?
Believe it or not, the salesperson you talk to may not work for the company that will actually be doing the installation. Make sure that the installer you log in with is the one that will do the work.
“There are a lot of high-pressure marketing companies pretending to be solar companies,” Goldmarkel said. “All they do is marketing and sales, and then they mortgage the solar installation to another company. This can be a real recipe for disaster.”
Make sure you know who will actually put the solar panels on your home before you sign on the dotted line.
8. What is your timeline for installation?
You’ll need to discuss a rough project timeline with any solar installer you’re considering – both in terms of when work will start and how long your solar installation will take to operate. This is a question you should be asked by a reputable installer, Hill noted.
“Installers should ask about your time frame for installing your system, so they can give you room to do your research,” she said. “Good installers will wait for you to come back to them.”
9. What types of maintenance packages or warranties are available?
Gold-Markel recommends inquiring about extended warranties or operations and maintenance packages that cover the entire life of the system, which is typically about 25 years. “Ask if you can also get an operations and maintenance package, an extended warranty covering 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?
Due to rising interest rates, financing a solar installation is a less attractive option than it was a few years ago. If you’re considering financing, be sure to inquire about any hidden fees that may be part of the agreement, Gold-Markel said. It is also important to consider the institution offering the loan, which may be a third party, and read the terms 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 a solar installation or the cost per panel. Hill said be sure to compare the cost in dollars per watt when comparing solar installations. Two solar systems may have a similar total cost, but the wattage generated can vary based on the size and capacity of the panel. The system with the lowest cost per watt is the better deal.
12. How much consumption will my solar energy offset?
A good solar installer should make it easy to understand how much of your home’s energy consumption can be met by your solar system. Factors such as weather, shade, roof size, and home energy use will affect how much power your panels will generate.
Information regarding how much electricity your system will replace your home’s electricity should be included in a reputable solar installation company’s proposal for your project, and installers should be prepared with this information. “If that is clearly stated in the proposal, that is a green flag nine times out of ten,” Hill said.
13. What does lifelong saving depend on?
Your discussions with solar installers should include not only an estimate of how much you will save over the life of your system, but also how you will derive that estimate.
Installers calculate lifetime savings using a scale called the utility escalator. This ratio describes the expected rate of energy cost inflation and is based on historical trends (and is different from the escalator in a PPA). Solar United Neighbors recommends checking that the escalator used in competing proposals from different installers is the same to help you compare accurately.
14. Are power generation estimates guaranteed?
It’s not possible to ensure that every panel in your solar system will always produce power at the maximum level, but a good installer should be able to ensure your panels perform within a reasonable range, Gold-Markel said.
“If the total power output is within a reasonable error rate of, say, 10% of what was expected, 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 allow you to sell the power generated by your solar system back into the public grid – a great incentive for solar that can significantly reduce the payback period on your system. You typically do not sell this energy directly to your energy utilities.
Instead, homeowners often sell solar renewable energy certificates, or SRECs, through a third party known as a broker or aggregator. Your installer may be able to connect you with a broker. If you prefer to choose your own broker, Solar United Neighbors recommends double-checking your contract to make sure this is not prohibited in your agreement.