by If you’re looking to install solar panels on your home or commercial property, it’s important to choose the best company for your needs. There are a lot of options out there, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in how well your system performs over the years.
1. Look for a Reputable Company
If you’re thinking about investing in a solar system for your home or commercial property, it’s important to look for a reliable company. Here are some tips to help you choose the best one for your needs:
Experience – The number of years a company has been in business is an important factor to consider. This is because experienced installers will have more knowledge and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the installation process.
Credibility – It’s also a good idea to check whether the company has a BBB license or if they have any consumer complaints filed against them. The internet makes it easy to find this information, and your local state contractor licensing board can provide you with more details.
Expertise – A solar installation is complex and involves many different aspects, so it’s crucial to work with an experienced company. This will help you get the most out of your investment, and ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Reputable companies will be able to answer all of your questions, and should be willing to walk you through every step of the process. This is especially important if you’re considering purchasing a system through financial products such as solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Warranty – It’s vital to choose a company that offers high quality workmanship and guarantees the performance of their equipment. Some solar companies will offer a five-year workmanship guarantee, while others may provide an extended warranty of up to 20 years.
You should be wary of solar companies that are only focused on sales, as this can lead to poor installations and low-quality equipment. This is why it’s important to ask for quotes from a few different companies before making your decision.
2. Look for a Local Company
The best solar installer for your home or commercial property is the one that specializes in your region. This will give you better access to local experts and a more personalized experience.
A local company will be a smaller business that is dedicated to serving its local market and building long-term relationships with customers. This can be beneficial for both the local solar installer and the customer, as it gives them a better chance of getting repeat business.
It also helps ensure that the solar panels and other equipment are made of top-quality materials. This will help keep your energy costs down and extend the life of your system.
Local companies often have less overhead than larger national solar installers, which can allow them to offer solar installations at lower prices. This is a huge benefit for consumers, who can save up to 10% on their installation costs by choosing a local solar company.
Another great reason to choose a local solar company is that it will typically be able to take advantage of local incentives, such as tax credits and government rebates. These may include state and federal renewable energy credits, local incentives, subsidized loans or regional utility rebates.
In addition, a local solar installer will have less overhead and be able to pass these savings on to you. They will also be more responsive and provide better communication with their customers, which can help you avoid any surprises during the installation process.
When it comes to choosing a solar company, be sure to check out their online reviews, especially those on Yelp, Angie’s List and BBB websites. These sites are where you can see how the solar installer handles problems when they arise, and if they responded to any negative reviews. It is important to choose a solar company with good reviews that you can trust and rely on for years to come.
3. Look for a Company with a Specialty
As you’re comparing solar companies, consider what each company can offer for your specific home or commercial needs. This includes options like battery backup, electric vehicle charging, energy efficiency upgrades and more.
A company with a specialty is more likely to understand your specific energy needs and provide customized solar solutions for them. They’ll visit your property, evaluate your recent electricity bills and check the roof space to create a custom solution that will be best suited to your goals.
When you’re researching companies, make sure that they have a strong reputation and can demonstrate their credibility through previous work. You can check their history online at places like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau or Solar Reviews to see if their previous clients are happy with the service they received.
In addition, you’ll want to check their licensing and insurance policies. This can vary by state, but it’s important to know that installers should have a general contracting or electrician license and some form of workers’ compensation insurance.
You’ll also want to see if they have any complaints filed against them with the state or Better Business Bureau. This is an indication that they may have had problems with their workmanship or timeliness.
It’s also a good idea to see what kind of warranty they provide. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work and how well they handle post-installation issues if needed.
You’ll also want to ask about financing options. Several solar installation companies have different financing options that include loans, leases and PPAs. This is a great way to lower your upfront costs and get a better deal on your system.
4. Look for a Company with a Strong Warranty
One of the best ways to ensure your solar system will last for decades is to choose a company with a strong warranty. A warranty will give you peace of mind that if your solar panels, inverters, or roof penetrations fail within a certain period of time, they will be covered by the company.
There are different types of warranties for solar panels and equipment, but the most common is a manufacturer’s product warranty. This warranty usually lasts for 10-25 years and will protect your solar panel against defects, which can cause them to lose power production.
Another type of warranty is a performance guarantee, which ensures that the panels’ output stays consistent and reliable over time. For example, Mission Solar guarantees that their panels will not lose more than 0.7% of their production value each year.
A third kind of warranty is a workmanship warranty, which covers the contractor’s work. This warranty can vary in duration from 1 -10 years and will cover any issues that arise from the installer’s work on your solar panel.
It is also important to ask about the company’s history of quality and workmanship when choosing a solar installer for your home or commercial property. A reputable company will be happy to provide you with references from past customers or show you their history of work in your area.
A good solar installer will be able to answer all of your questions about the process and provide you with a warranty that is worth taking advantage of. The company should be able to provide you with details about the warranty and any fees or fine print that may apply. They should also be able to recommend the best financing options for your project, which can make the entire process a lot easier and less expensive in the long run.
5. Look for a Company with a Strong Customer Service
Choosing the right solar installer for your home or commercial property is an important decision. You want to find a company that will make you feel comfortable and understand the process of installing your system. This includes communicating clearly and making sure you have all of your questions answered.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to look for a company that offers great customer service. This means making sure they have people who are available to answer your questions and give you advice on how best to get the most out of your solar installation.
Also, a company with strong customer service will be able to work with you through every step of the process, from helping you choose the right system for your needs to making sure it is installed correctly and that all warranty conditions are met. This will help you avoid any hassles later on.
A good way to ensure you choose a company with a strong customer service is to ask for references from previous clients. This will let you see the kinds of interactions that they had with their customers and whether they had positive experiences. You can also look for reviews from these past customers on reputable websites like Solar Reviews or Google Reviews.
