Is it time for you to go solar? More and more homeowners are making the switch to solar power, and for good reason!
Not only is it a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also save you money on your energy bills. But with so many solar companies out there, how do you choose one that’s right for you?
The most difficult aspect of getting solar panels installed could be picking a solar power business to work with. Also, you must carefully assess solar installers to choose the best one for your requirements.
But hundreds of solar energy service providers are likely competing for your business in your country.
Before you start your journey towards “getting solar,” it’s important to understand the various solar companies that exist. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision possible.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting a Solar Energy Provider
Choosing a reliable solar panel installation company is essential. Many solar energy providers employ knowledgeable and skilled workers.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by options or don’t know where to begin, our detailed guide will get you on the right track.
Specify the Solar Energy Provider Type
Varieties of solar energy providers you might meet are the following:
Manufacturers
Manufacturers of solar panel equipment create the panels and other components needed to set up a solar photovoltaic system. In this context, “equipment manufacturers” refers to the businesses that create solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and related hardware.
These components are mandatory for installers to stock their shelves when selling to residential customers.
Lead Generation
There are businesses whose sole focus is to generate leads and sales for other businesses operating in the solar energy sector, and these are known as “solar lead generation” firms. Dealers, installers, and full-service providers buy leads and appointments for solar sales from these people.
Financing
A solar financing company’s sole mission is to provide the financing choices necessary for people and companies to make the switch to solar energy. They frequently team up with solar panel distributors and installers.
Marketers or Dealers
Dealers in solar energy systems are authorised to sell items from a single solar panel maker. It is common for them to specialise in the design, marketing, and production of machinery. Installers are sometimes a part of the services provided by solar panel and equipment retailers.
Some companies solely use third-party installers, while others never instal anything themselves.
Installers
When making the switch to solar energy, your primary point of contact will be with a solar installation company.
The companies that instal solar panels buy the panels and other materials from the solar equipment manufacturers. Their team of specialised experts will instal the equipment on your home’s rooftop or business.
They are also the ones who set up the photovoltaic panels created by the producers. Before installing your solar panels, solar contractors will first do a site evaluation. This is to evaluate your roof and collect any essential measurements.
Site visits are also used by installers to figure out whether your installation has any unique requirements.
Full-Service Solar Providers
Full-service solar providers are firms that do everything to get you set up with the solar, outside of manufacturing the equipment. Many also support additional solutions like high-efficiency heating technology to boost energy savings. They sell panels and other essential equipment, arrange to finance, and also handle the installation.
They take care of every single part of your solar process. From producing the panels to installing them on your roof.
Find Solar Energy Providers and Compare Their Prices
Costs to install solar panels vary between solar energy contractors. Some people just can’t help but compete.
We’ve seen it all when it comes to pricing models, but cost-per-watt is by far the most common and straightforward method. You should expect to pay a set amount from your solar installer, determined by the size of your system.
Obtaining various quotations can give you a better idea of costs and give you a basis for comparing different solar energy providers.
To get precise quotes, most solar energy service providers will need to plan a visit to your home. All of your outstanding queries can be posed at this time.
- Do you have the licences that are necessary for my state and city?
- Have you ever put solar panels on a property in my area?
- How many solar panels should I get in order to meet my energy needs?
- Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?
When shopping for solar panels, it’s important to receive estimates from as many companies as possible to compare prices and find the best deal.
Their solar bids will blow your mind. Doing so may help you save several thousand dollars on the cost of installing solar panels.
Your solar installation should be someone you can trust implicitly, as going solar is a significant investment in your home.
After solar panels are set up, there is a lot that can be done. It is crucial to hire a reliable solar business that will stand behind its product after installation.
Therefore, it is important to find a solar company that you can trust to provide you with accurate and thorough information to help you choose the best one for you.
The ideal installers will make every effort to make you understand how solar fits into the larger solar energy system at your home or business.
Verify the Solar Company’s Licence and Insurance
Installers of solar panels must be properly licenced and insured. Make sure they have the proper certification to work on the electrical wiring and parts of your system.
General contracting, electrical work, home performance and improvement, and contracting licences are the norm for solar installation. Installers should also be state accredited and carry general liability insurance.
Tips for Choosing the Right Solar Company
Compared to other forms of energy, solar is quite standard. In order to get the help you require, you should look for a reliable business. It might be nerve-wracking trying to find a reliable solar panel installation company. Use these guidelines to help you decide.
Put Yourself in the Correct Frame of Mind
Many people have used the services of a plumber, electrician, or general contractor for little repairs or significant overhauls around the house.
However, few people have ever worked with solar energy. So, how does one get going?
Getting a solar installer is a bigger hassle than fixing a dripping faucet, but easier than redoing your kitchen. Get ready to put in a little bit of effort; it won’t be too bad.
The steps are the same as those involved in choosing any other contractor: learn as much as possible about the organisation, know what you’re getting, and read the fine print. Some choices will need to be made as you go.
It’s best to schedule an in-person meeting with the business and bring a list of questions to ensure you don’t forget anything. You can find a few checklists here.
Don’t Trust Solar Energy Cost Comparisons Found Online
Companies now aim to make residential solar panel purchases more akin to making travel or lodging reservations.
This simplistic approach is detrimental to the consumer since it places excessive weight on price.
For short-term rentals, like a weekend getaway, it could be fine to choose the lowest choice available simply. After all, any given rental car is functionally equivalent to any other. To be effective, however, a residential solar array requires the coordinated operation of numerous complex parts.
Your utility, local government, and a pile of documentation must all be coordinated to complete the installation process.
An experienced solar installation will handle the details and the homeowner won’t have to worry about much.
However, because of the complexity of the underlying process, there are numerous ways in which an installer could go wrong. There is a good chance that a business with really low costs is cutting shortcuts somewhere.
Determine the Necessary System Size
Getting a larger system up and running will take more time and money. You can simply go online and request a quote to find out how much variously sized systems might cost.
Roof type and geographic location are both major factors to consider. It will be trickier to put on a flat roof atop the atrium of the house. Having a slanted ceiling will make things simpler.
The best business will also consider your financial constraints. You should look for a business that offers payment plans that allow you to finish paying off your system before you start seeing significant monthly savings on your energy consumption.
Buying solar equipment solely over the internet has the additional drawback of encouraging customers to ignore minor but crucial features. A system that doesn’t function as planned could be the result of ignoring the equipment in favour of a cheaper one.
Insist That Superior Customer Service Is a Top Priority
You should read up on the company’s reputation before buying a present for your parents from them.
If your system isn’t generating power as promised, you should investigate the company’s warranties and see if you’ll get your money back (and in what time frame).
You may find out a lot about the reliability of a company’s product guarantee by reading customer reviews. You can have more faith in your purchase from that business if its reputation is good.
Gather Multiple Estimates
For a major renovation like your dream kitchen, it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare prices. This is important not just to ensure that you are receiving a reasonable quote, but also so that you can assess how various businesses stack up against one another.
Watch out for deceptive practises like being told your home is solar-ready when it isn’t. There is a risk that a less than the honest business would inflate the projected output of your solar system or fail to mention shading issues that will reduce its output to the point that it will never recoup its initial investment.
If your roof needs fixing before solar panels make sense for your home, a reputable company will tell you that. They aren’t interested in making a sale if it means you’ll be using a system that isn’t going to meet your needs.
A less honest business, on the other hand, cares just about making a profit. You should generally agree with the popular opinion if you get three quotations and two businesses say solar isn’t going to work but the third says go for it.
If you get a few estimates, you may examine the costs of various pieces of equipment and how they’d be installed.
For instance, the method by which the racking is fastened to the roofing and rendered waterproof is a typically overlooked yet crucial aspect of a solar system.
Especially with regard to more difficult roofing materials, the experience levels of solar installers might vary widely.
It is possible to incur a ton of money in repairs due to a faulty solar installation, which might completely nullify any cost savings you might have experienced as a result of switching to solar energy.
So, before the installer leaves, make sure you know what precautions they take to ensure that your living room doesn’t become a deluge zone after the job is done.
One way to discern a good contractor from a bad one is if one of them is rude and dismissive, while another is patient and answers all of your questions thoroughly.
Many businesses now offer payment plans to assist clients to pay for their equipment in a more manageable time frame. You may be able to negotiate a cheaper interest rate or an extended payment plan to pay off the systems.
When looking for a reliable business, look for one that offers multiple payment plans. It should be less of a hassle to pay off the system if customer service is good.
Consider the Lifespan of Your System in Years
You should find out if the company will still be operating in 10-15 years to assist you with the maintenance of your solar panels, despite the fact that solar panels have a pretty long lifespan.
Good solar panels can keep on working for decades, but not all manufacturers can make that promise.
The company’s capabilities should extend beyond simply keeping your panels in good working order to include fixing any issues that may arise.
Obtain a Copy of the Solar Agreement
The details of the agreement should be detailed in this document. You need to know how often and how much access you will have to the funds for this system.
You should also read the fine print of the contract to be sure there are no unexpected expenses waiting for you down the road.
Favour Regional Businesses With Established Track Records
It’s best to avoid working with solar energy firms that have only been around for a short period of time (a couple of years or less).
The longer a company has been in business, the better. You can learn this by contacting the company directly, visiting its website, or in some cases, researching it with the relevant state licencing body.
Companies with more years in the industry are preferable since they are more likely to be technically proficient and more likely to be around in the event you want warranty repair several years down the road.
It may be less of a challenge to discover experienced providers offering Melbourne energy services in regions with mature home solar markets.
There may not be many long-standing options for you if you reside in a region where solar power is still in its infancy.
Choose a reputable solar panel installation firm. Solar energy service suppliers abound. Before beginning, you should research solar providers. Here are some decision-making tips. Compare solar energy providers’ prices.
Full-service solar suppliers do everything to instal solar. They sell solar panels and other equipment, finance, and instal. Most people use cost-per-watt. There’s much to do after installing solar panels. It’s important to pick a solar company that stands behind their product.
Use these tips to choose a solar firm. Ideal installers will explain how solar fits into a broader system. Residential solar panels require complicated coordination. A solar installer will manage the specifics so the homeowner may relax. Go online to get a quote for different-sized systems.
Beware of false claims that your home is solar-ready. A bad solar installation might cost a tonne to repair. Rudeness and dismissal are signs of a lousy contractor. Look for a business with different payment arrangements. A company’s longevity is advantageous. Consider your system’s lifespan to see if the company will be around in 10-15 years.