Do you want to save money on your energy bill?
One of the best ways to do that is to install solar panels. Solar panels can help you reduce your reliance on the grid and can save you a lot of money in the long run.
But for you to accomplish that goal, you need to find the best solar company in your area. Unfortunately, choosing a solar company can be difficult because there are so many of them out there.
Anyone can throw up a website and claim to be a solar company. How can you be sure that the company you’re considering is reputable and will provide good service?
Here are a few tips to help you choose the best solar company in your area.
Experience
When you’re looking for a residential solar company, go with one that has been around for a while. Such a company will have more experience and be more likely to provide good service.
A new company might be cheaper, but there’s no guarantee that it will be around in the future. If something goes wrong with your installation, you don’t want to deal with an inexperienced company that might not help you.
So, how can you tell if a solar company has been in business for a while? One way is to check their website. Many companies list how long they’ve been in business on their homepage.
If the company doesn’t list how long they’ve been around, give them a call and ask. Any reputable company should be happy to tell you how long they’ve been in business.
Another way to check a solar company’s experience is to ask for references. A professional solar company will have no problem giving you a list of happy customers.
If the company doesn’t have any references, that’s not a good sign. Move on to the next company on your list.
Licensing
A solar company that sells and installs solar panels needs a license. Licensing is necessary because it shows that the company has met certain requirements and is qualified to do the job.
Not all states require licensing, but it’s still a good idea to choose a licensed solar company. To find out if a company is licensed, check their website or give them a call.
If the company isn’t licensed, you might want to reconsider doing business with them. Again, experience is critical, so go with a company that has been around for a while and is licensed.
References
As mentioned earlier, references are a great way to judge the quality of a solar company. Ask the solar installers for at least three references and then call them.
Don’t just take the company’s word for it. Talk to real customers and find out what their experience was like. A company will have happy customers willing to recommend them to others.
References should be people who have had a good experience with the solar company and are happy with the product they received. References should not be family members or friends of the solar company employees.
When you call references, ask these questions:
- Was your installation crew professional and courteous?
- Did the installation go smoothly?
- What was your overall experience with the solar company?
- Are you satisfied with your system’s performance?
- Would you recommend this company to others?
If most of the references say “yes” to all of these questions, then it’s likely that you’ve found a good solar company. If there are any negative responses, consider those before making a decision.
Warranties
Most solar panel manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty on their products. A warranty means that if anything goes wrong with your solar panels, the manufacturer will replace them for free.
Solar companies should also offer a workmanship warranty on the installation itself. This warranty protects you from any problems arising from the installation, such as leaks or electrical issues.
A quality company will have no problem offering you both of these warranties. If a company refuses to offer a warranty or only offers a limited warranty, that should be a red flag.
You should also find out if the warranty is transferrable if you sell your home. A transferrable warranty means that the warranty will cover the new homeowners if anything goes wrong. Not all warranties are transferrable, so be sure to ask about this before signing any contracts.
Contract
When choosing a solar company, be sure to read the contract thoroughly. Contracts can be long and confusing, but you need to understand everything in them.
The contract should outline the products and services that the solar company will provide and the price. It should also list any warranties that are offered.
Be sure to ask questions if anything is unclear in the contract. Don’t sign anything until you’re confident that you understand what you’re getting into.
Financing
If you’re not paying for the solar panels outright, then you’ll need to finance them. There are a few different financing options available, so be sure to ask about this.
You should also find out if the solar company offers rebates or tax credits. These can help offset the cost of your solar panels and make them more affordable.
See the process of solar panels installation here.
Choose the Best Solar Company
Now that you know what to look for in a solar company, it’s time to start shopping around. Get quotes from several companies and compare their prices, products, and services.
Be sure to ask plenty of questions so that you can make an informed decision. With a bit of research, you should be able to find the best solar company in your area.
If you’re interested in learning more about alternative energy, keep tabs on our blog!
