Solar energy is the way of the future. It’s an eco-friendly, safe way to power your home while also lowering your energy bill; what’s not to love?
Of course, installing solar panels is a big project. That’s why you need to make a few considerations when picking solar panel installers.
The last thing you want is to invest money in this renovation only to suffer through poor workmanship and shoddy installation. To avoid that, there are a few key things to look for.
Read on to discover seven important aspects to check on before hiring anyone for solar panel installation.
1. Products Offered
The first step you need to take is figuring out what kind of solar panels you actually want. There are several different solar panel designs on the market, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Do a bit of research and find out what kind of solar panel is right for you. This is about more than style–look into different brands as well.
Once you have a good idea of what kind of panels you want, you can begin looking for solar panel installers who carry the panels you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to have a small list of acceptable options. Don’t zero in on one specific panel in brand, in case it’s not available in your area. Pick a handful that seem like a good fit, then find one that’s available to you.
2. Amount of Experience
As with any complex job, you want to know that the people you’re hiring know what they’re doing. Make sure that your installers have a reasonable amount of solar installation experience.
One simple way to check this is to see how long the company has been around. If it’s relatively new, you may want to be wary; if it’s been around for years, odds are good that the employees have experience.
Of course, even a longstanding company might have new employees. Check out the company’s website and see if it has any information about staff, or talk to someone at the company about their team members’ experience.
3. Reviews
This one is obvious: look into the company’s reputation! If they’re known for doing shoddy work, you do not want to hire them. There are several strategies for finding out a business’s reputation.
One great thing to look at is online customer reviews. Visit the company’s website and social media pages to see what people are saying. There are plenty of review sites out there where people can make their voices heard.
You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the company has had complaints, and if so, how those complaints were dealt with.
The one downside of online reviews is that people are more likely to leave a negative one than a positive, so you may want to take some reviews with a grain of salt.
4. Financing Options
While solar panels can save you money in the long run, there’s no denying that it’s often a sizable up-front investment. Before moving forward with solar panel installation, you need to know your financing options.
There are several ways to pay for solar paneling, with the most common one being a solar loan. A solar loan is exactly what it sounds like: a loan that allows you to purchase your own solar panel system.
There are also solar lease options, in which a third party owns the system and you lease it from them; these aren’t common anymore, though.
A good solar installation company will help you find the financing option that is right for you.
5. A Good Warranty
Once you’ve invested in going solar, the last thing you want is a faulty panel messing things up. That’s why you need to get panels with a decent warranty.
This is another area where the brand of solar panel is important. You want to be sure that the manufacturer’s warranty on the panels you purchase offers reasonable coverage.
Most warranties will come in two parts: a performance warranty and a product warranty.
The performance warranty guarantees that the panel will generate a specified amount of power for a set number of years. These warranties often last 25 to 30 years.
The product warranty, on the other hand, is there to ensure that there are no defects in the panel itself.
6. Get a Consultation
Even if you know exactly what solar panels you want and you’ve researched all of the solar installation companies in your area, you can still get a lot of information from a consultation.
There are two major benefits to a solar consultation. The first is that you’ll be meeting with professionals; they’ll be able to give you a comprehensive breakdown of what kind of solar panels you need.
The other benefit is that a consultation helps you decide if that company is the right installer for you or not.
A consultation gives you the chance to speak with someone from the company one-on-one. It’s their chance to make a great first impression. If the consultant is unprofessional or rude, you know not to use that company.
7. Installation Process
Ask about the company’s installation process. See how long they estimate the project will take. If possible, look for reviews about this specific aspect of the company.
Solar installation is a complex process, but in most cases, a professional installer can have the job done in a day or two. If a company drags out the process longer than that, it’s a red flag.
You’ll also want to make sure that their installation process is comprehensive–that the proper permits are obtained, your meter is swapped out, and so on.
If you find reviews or other evidence that the company drags its feet or leaves things unfinished, you know to avoid those installers!
Picking Solar Panel Installers Just Got Easier
Before reaping the benefits of solar energy, you have to find someone to install your panels. Now that you know what to look for, picking solar panel installers should be a breeze!
Looking for other ways to renovate and innovate in your home? Check out our home improvement blog for more tips!
