With solar energy more popular and affordable than ever before, you may be wondering whether it’s the right choice for you. There are a lot of solar installation companies out there, but they’re not all created equal. If you’re thinking about solar energy for your home, here are four important questions to ask before you hire a residential solar company.
What size system you need can vary widely from other homes based on your personal schedules, habits, and lifestyle, so there should never be a one-size-fits-all approach from your solar installation company. They should take time to calculate your individual energy usage, including any seasonal fluctuations, any surplus energy you want to export to the grid, net metering and other local utility considerations. If the company you’re working with tries to sell you on a generic package, consider shopping around for a more custom solution.
Unfortunately as with any growing industry, there are unscrupulous vendors out there looking to make a quick buck on solar installations. They may use pushy sales tactics or other shady deals to get you to sign a contract quickly, without any comparison shopping. Check the company’s credentials before you sign any contract to make sure they have the right level of industry experience to get you the highest quality panels and installation. The last thing you want is to get a solar system that doesn’t work, is installed incorrectly, or has some other issue that prevents you from getting all the benefits.
Local laws require that companies planning to install a solar system have a specific license to do so. Check to make sure the company you choose has a license in your state as well as your local city/county area, they are bonded, and they carry proper liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Also find out if it’s the company you are talking to that will do the installation, or if they are planning to outsource it to a subcontractor. If it’s the latter, check on licensing, bonds, insurance, and experience for the subcontractor too.
Solar systems, like anything in your home, can break or malfunction. Ask what happens if there is a problem with your system. Most solar panels already come with a manufacturer’s warranty, butyou should find out if the solar company guarantees the installation, and if they have other requirements to keep their warranty active. Lack of workmanship guarantees, or expensive “maintenancecontracts” to keep the warranty active are usuallyred flags.
When you’re ready to install a solar system, call the experts at Intermountain Wind and Solar. We’re here to answer all your questions and get you the best solar system available.
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