Are you looking for the best solar panel installation for your home?
Do you want to know the secret of receiving a successful solar system installation for your home?
Then we have good news because today, we are sharing the seven questions you should ask your solar panel installation contractor before hiring them for their services.
There’s a lot we need to cover, so let’s get started.
Table of contents:
- Will you assess my rooftop for the solar installation?
- Do you have a solar installer license?
- What is your experience in the solar panel installation business?
- What kind of warranties do you provide?
- What size and type of solar panels will you install on my home?
- What possible problems may I face in the future and how will you react to them?
- How much would your services cost me?
Is it necessary to have some questions in mind before going solar?
Yes, it is crucial! Researching on your end is an important step to avoid any sort of future bad experiences. So, when we say it’s crucial, we mean it.
The whole point behind all this is to find the best solar installation companies in the business.
How do we categorize the best companies?
It shouldn’t be hard. The most professional company is always the best to do a job.
We need to find the most professional solar panel installation company to do our job because only a professional company delivers the highest quality standards at any cost.
Professionalism is the most important trait to look into a company before working.
So, how are we supposed to know whether a company is professional or not?
Simple, they will tell us themselves!
These seven questions will assist you in finding the most professional solar panel installation company.
So, let’s get straight into the questions.
Will you assess my rooftop for the solar installation?
As we have discussed earlier, the ideal place to install solar panels is the rooftop of your house.
Rooftop, being the base of your solar power plant, has to be flawless.
Therefore, it is crucial to have your rooftop expertly assessed to find and remove any errors or flaws, if found, from your rooftop before installing the solar panels on it.
A professional solar panel installation company will ask you to let them check your rooftop so they can assess a few things, like:
- Whether the roof will be able to bear the weight of the panels?
- Are there any cracks or bursts on the roof?
- Does it have enough space for the panels?
- Is it naturally inclined towards the sun?
If the solar installation company does not show any interest in assessing your rooftop, it is probably not a group you would want to work with.
What challenges are faced with the rooftops?
We want to address this question with our personal experience.
While assessing so many rooftops in Orange County, California –our team observed different types and variants of roofs like dormers, chimneys, vent pipes, and even skylights.
These all were constructed in a unique design; therefore, we had to treat them differently.
So many times, our team had to rearrange the array into multiple sections and fix all types of flaws before installing the panels.
Source: Green Roof Technology
Do you have a solar installer license?
Before hiring a solar installation contractor, it’s vital to ask whether they have a state or city government license.
A reputable and professional solar company should show no reluctance to show you their license or tell you their license number and what trade associations they are affiliated with or have been with.
Make sure only the licensed people do your job.
People get licensed for a reason.
They are the professionals who have gone through a strict training process, possess real-life experience and have proved their wit and hence they are awarded the license – there’s a long journey to get it.
That is why it is vital to ask who will be working on your home. If the contractor gets your contract and outsources the job to an unlicensed company, then that is a big NO!
Whether the contractor themselves works on your project or they outsource it to a subcontractor – in both cases, make sure that they are permitted and have a valid license.
What is your experience in the solar panel installation business?
The next important thing after the license is your contractor’s experience in the solar panel installation business.
Having a license and certification validates the contractor’s competency, but experience is still a crucial factor.
Experience is the master of all knowledge.
As Julius Caesar once said, “Experience is the teacher of all things.”
Solar installation companies with years in the business develop the right strategies and techniques to do the job.
While dealing with different clients, doing dozens of various installations and removing errors, they hone the perfect skill sets. They know the best installation tools and equipment, what works and what does not work.
Knowing that the solar contractor you have hired has done similar projects countless times before will give you an intimate feeling of trust and relaxation. You know deep inside; They are the experts!
What kind of warranties do you provide?
Solar panel installation companies should give good warranties!
Ask your contractor if they offer service warranties before hiring them.
When an installer provides a warranty, you can use it to get solar equipment when they need to be replaced and repair services when required.
Solar panel warranties keep your solar investment secure and are an essential part of any home solar installation.
That is why it is crucial to understand what kind of warranties your contractor is providing you. This will not only help you in keeping your investment protected but also will help you to compare different contractors based on their offers.
Types of solar panel warranties:
A solar panel comes in two types of warranties:
- Performance warranty
- Equipment warranty
Performance warranty:
The performance warranty is based on the overall performance of the panel for the next 20 to 30 years. As per this warranty, a solar panel won’t lose its performance for a predefined number of years, usually 20 to 30 years.
A solar panels’ performance warranty typically guarantees that the panel will not go lower than 90% efficiency for the next 10 years. And 80% efficiency for the next 25 years.
Equipment warranty:
A solar panel’s equipment warranty, also known as the product warranty, is an insurance that if a panel becomes faulty with problems such as manufacturing defects, environmental issues, premature wear and tear, etc., under a predefined time, terms and conditions, then the installation company is responsible for fixing those faults at no additional cost to you.
Every contractor gives different equipment warranties; that is why you should ask them about it before hiring them.
What size and type of solar panels will you install on my home?
The right type and the right size of solar panels are two crucial factors you should ask for from your solar panel installation company.
Your contractor should be able to tell you that after observing a few things, like:
- Your average energy consumption per day.
- The profit you want to make by selling excess electricity to the grid.
- Weather conditions in your area.
- Average Peak Sun Hours.
One can only estimate the right size and type of solar panels after observing the above factors. – There’s NO other way around it!
Suppose your contractor tells you that every house in your area requires a specific number and a specific type of solar panels, and they do not need to calculate anything. These are the signs of an unprofessional company.
A professional solar company should have a look at your home electricity usage patterns, the inclination of your roof, the utility you use and how much they charge for electricity, and the surplus amount of electricity you’ll sell to the grid.
Source: Energy Sage
What possible problems may I face in the future and how will you react to them?
People have faced problems with solar panel installations and have complained about them as well.
You may also face some problems with your solar panels. Therefore, it is better to be prepared.
The problems might arise after a week, a month, a year or maybe never!
And it is entirely normal if you face one or two problems after installing the solar panels.
The real point is how your contractor will react once you face them.
And that is why you should ask them, “What future problems may I expect with these solar panels? and, more importantly, how will you react to those problems?”
An honest answer to this will determine the professionalism and integrity of your contractor.
If they tell you that you’ll never see any problem with their installations and how good they are and brag about themselves, then that’s your cue to stop working with them.
If they share the problems you may face in the future, they will also tell you how they will be solved.
How much would your services cost me?
This question so far is the most critical question on this list.
We have divided it into two parts for your ease.
How much would the solar panels cost you?
Always remember, there are multiple costs associated with solar system installation. The average price of a solar panel system can vary from $15K to $30K.
You should also consider if there is any easy financing option available from the installation company’s side.
Ideally, it would help if you ask your contractor about the overall cost of your solar panel installation.
Usually, solar panels installation cost consists of the solar panel price, installation charges, labor charges, equipment charges, insurances and taxes (only if applicable).
A professional company will never want its clients to pay extra.
Are there any ways to reduce its overall cost?
Finally, it is always a good idea to ask your contractor if there is any way to reduce the project’s overall cost.
A reputable company will always give you an honest piece of advice on that.
Source: Save on Energy
What’s Next?
These were the seven questions you need to ask your solar panel installation company before hiring them. They will help you find a more credible and professional solar panel installation company.
Let Us Help You!
Enlightened Solar is a team of dedicated contractors waiting to serve you.
We are a people helping company. We help people achieve their energy goals, get rid of power outages and reduce their utility bills.
As a state-licensed company, we are always ready to serve the people of California.
Call Us NOW! Our expert customer support team is waiting to help you with everything you want to know.