Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Installing solar panels is a smart investment that can increase the value of your home, reduce your energy billand help protect the environment. A recent CNET survey found that 78% of American adults surveyed are stressed by high energy, and making the switch to solar energy is a logical next step. However, with tens of thousands of dollars on the line, you don’t want to take this decision lightly, even if the big federal incentives make it more appealing.
After researching companies, reading reviews and gathering advice from friends and neighbors, you need to choose the right installer. Knowing the right kind 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 make the right choice.
1. How long have you been in business?
The recent boom in the solar industry means that more companies than ever are getting in on the action. That’s generally a good thing, but not all of them are experienced installers or even legitimate businesses.
“Sometimes these installation companies are fly by night. They open one month and close the next,” said Jani Hale, help desk manager with Solar United Neighborsa non-profit that helps consumers go solar by forming residential co-ops and providing educational support. Ideally, an installer should have been in business for three years or more.
2. What are your company’s certifications?
Online reviews for solar installers are a great start, but they are not as reliable as an industry certification. U American National Council 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 be NABCEP certified to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills,” Hale said.
Additional certifications can tell you more about a company’s work practices and environmental standards. Certified B Corp companies are required to meet certain social and environmental standards in their operations, including fair labor practices and wages. “If installers get a fair wage, they’re going to be much more likely to do a quality install,” said Micah Gold-Markel, who founded the Philadelphia-based installer. Solar states in 2008.
3. What are the rules around solar 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 is extremely important,” Gold-Markel said.
For example, California the law restricts the backflow of residential solar to the grid. In Pennsylvania, residential systems can feed unlimited power back to the grid, with the utility required to pay the full retail price. Those state-by-state differences can significantly affect a payment period for your system.
4. What solar incentives are available in my area?
more than 30% federal tax credit offered by the Inflation Reduction Act, you may be eligible for additional credits or incentives based on other factors. Those incentives can add up, and that’s 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 back between 30% and 60% of the cost of your solar in tax credits, depending on how you use these different federal incentives,” said Gold-Markel.
For example, if you are buy solar for your business it may be possible to accelerate the depreciation of that asset, allowing for a larger tax deduction in the early years of your system. You may also be eligible for additional credits if your installer uses them Materials made in America.
5. What kind of equipment do you use, and was it ethically produced?
Ask about the equipment an installer plans to use and why they made that choice. A company that only uses one panel size may not be the best fit if your home has a complex or architecturally elaborate roof. “Beware of sellers who imply that there is only one type of solar system or battery storage” Hale said. “There are many brands of solar equipment and system designs to choose from.”
Gold-Markel also recommends investigating where the equipment was purchased, with a preference for panels that were manufactured in the United States. “We’re part of Amicus, a national cooperative of installers that buy ethically sourced solar panels,” 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 key consideration in solar. Solar United Neighbors recommends replacing a roof with less than 10 to 15 years of life 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 you replaced it before you go solar,'” Gold-Markel said.
7. Will your company do the installation?
Believe it or not, the salesperson you are talking to might not work for the company that will be doing your installation. Make sure the installer you signed up with will be the one to do the work.
“There are a lot of high-pressure marketing companies out there that are positioning themselves as solar companies,” Gold-Markel said. “All they do is marketing and sales, and then pawn off the solar installation to some other company. That can be a real recipe for disaster.”
Make sure you know who will actually do the work of 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 a rough project timeline with any solar installer you’re considering—both in terms of when work will begin and how long it will take to get your solar installation up and running. Hale noted that’s a question a reputable installer should ask you.
“Installers should ask what your timeframe is for installing your system, so they can give you room to do your research,” he said. “Really good installers will wait to get back to them.”
9. What types of maintenance packages or warranties are available?
Gold-Markel recommends asking for extended guarantees or operations and maintenance packages which covers the entire life of the system, which is typically around 25 years. “Ask if you can also get an operations and maintenance package, an extended warranty that covers the life of the solar or a longer warranty on workmanship that may come with the contract,” he said.
10. Are there fees associated with financing my system, and who is providing the financing?
Because of high interest ratesfinancing your solar installation is a less attractive option than it was a few years ago. If you consider financingGold-Markel said, be sure to ask about any hidden fees that may be part of the deal. It is also important to look into the institution that offers the loan, which may be a third party, and read the terms to understand what happens if it defaults.
11. What is the cost of my solar system in dollars per watt?
Owners tend to focus on the total cost to install solar or cost per panel. Be sure to compare the cost in dollars per watt when comparing solar installers, Hale said. Two solar systems may have a similar overall cost, but the wattage generated may differ depending on panel size and capacity. The system with the lowest cost per watt is the best deal.
12. How much consumption is my solar energy to compensate?
A good solar installer should make you understand how much of your home’s energy consumption can be met by your solar system. Factors such as climate, shade, roof size and home energy use will affect the amount of power your panels generate.
Information about the amount of electricity your family will be compensated by your system should be included in the proposal of a reputable solar installer for your project, and the installers should be quick about this information. “If that’s clearly laid out in a proposal, then nine times out of ten, that’s a green flag,” Hale said.
13. What are life 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 this estimate was derived.
Installers calculate lifetime savings using a metric called a utility scale. This percentage describes the projected inflation rate of the cost of power and is based on historical trends (and is different from the escalators in a power purchase agreement). Solar United Neighbors recommends checking that the utility escalator used in competing proposals from different installers is the same to help you compare accurately.
14. Is the energy generation estimate guaranteed?
It’s not possible to guarantee that every panel in your solar system will always produce power at the maximum level, said Gold-Markel, but a good installer should be able to guarantee the performance of your panels within a reasonable range.
“If the overall 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 to sell solar energy credits to the grid?
Net metering policies in some states they allow you to sell the energy generated by your solar system to the public grid – a significant solar incentive that can significantly reduce the payback period in your system. You usually don’t sell that power 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 installer 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 it is not prohibited in your agreement.
