With over 11,000 solar installation businesses in the US, it can be tricky to find the best one for your new solar panels.
Solar has grown considerably over the past 10 years. As it becomes clear how dire the global warming situation is, and as solar prices continue dropping, more and more homeowners are deciding to purchase solar panels. The problem is, most people don’t know much about solar installation.
Doing your own independent solar panel research is helpful, but you can’t do it without a great solar installation company. Googling “solar companies near me” will give you plenty of results, but how do you choose the right one?
In this post, we’re going to tell you what you need to consider when choosing a solar installer. When you’re putting up all that money for solar panels, you want to make sure it’s done right. Keep reading and you’ll have someone you trust installing your solar panels.
Search Locally
When it comes to installing solar panels, you always want to find a solar installer that operates in your local area. There are plenty of country-wide installers out there, but in choosing one, you run the risk of missing out on crucial information that only a local company can provide.
For instance, a local solar company will understand your local climate. This will then dictate how solar panels should be installed on the roof and which solar panels are best for your particular situation.
To find good local companies, search “solar companies near me” and you’ll get a list of the best ones. Choosing between these will start with online ratings and reviews.
Customer Ratings and Reviews
There’s no better indication of a solar company’s quality in 2023 than their online ratings. The installers that have the highest average rating and the most positive reviews are the ones that you should contact first.
You can glean so much information about how a company operates from its past customers. If there are any major issues or red flags, you’ll find out in the reviews on Google, Yelp, or Better Business Bureau. Use these to separate the good installers from the best ones and start visiting each company’s website to learn more.
Experience and Expertise
When you’re looking at a solar installer’s website, the first thing you’ll want to do is see how long they’ve been in business. It’s important to get your solar panels installed by a technician with years of experience so that you don’t have any issues once the system is in place.
Your solar installer should be a complete expert with every aspect of the system – solar panels, inverters, and wiring. A good indicator of this expertise is either a NABCEP or an SEI certification, which are the two leading solar installation training organizations.
Since solar panels are still relatively new, you aren’t going to find an installer that has been at it for 50 years. With the proper certification and at least 2 years of experience installing rooftop solar panels, you can have confidence that the job will get done properly.
Licenses and Insurance
The type of license that a solar installer needs will depend on where you live. Some states have their own solar contractor’s licenses, while others simply require a general contractor’s license. A NABCEP or SEI certification may suffice in certain states as well.
In terms of insurance, anytime you’re hiring a home service to perform work, you need to make sure they’re insured. General liability insurance ensures that any damage that might occur to your home while the solar installer is present will be covered by their insurance policy.
Rooftop solar installation can be dangerous. If your solar installer doesn’t have insurance for its employees and your home, you can’t reasonably trust them to do the work.
Workmanship Warranties
Workmanship warranties are another assurance to inquire about when you hire a solar installer. Basically, this type of warranty will guarantee that, should anything go wrong after the installation is complete, the installer will come back and fix it for free.
This would pertain to things within their control, like faulty wiring or a solar panel being damaged during installation. If the equipment itself is faulty, that would be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Get Multiple Quotes
Always get multiple solar installation quotes. At the end of the day, your solar installation has to be within your means. Getting 2-3 different quotes will tell you what you can expect to pay, allowing you to make the best decision for your finances.
The cost of solar installation can vary widely, but it’s only one aspect of the price. Your solar installer should give you a wide range of panels, inverters, and other products to choose from. There are so many different types of solar panels, for instance, so choose ones that fit your budget.
Customer Service
Your solar installer should be mindful of the fact that you might not know much about solar panels. Not only should they walk you through the benefits of different products, but they should explain the various credits and rebates that you receive when you go solar.
Every homeowner that installs solar panels can access the federal ITC, for instance. This credit gives solar investors 30% of the cost of solar installation back in the form of a reduction on their taxes. Depending on where you live, you could be eligible for similar state tax credits.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for solar savings. A good solar company will have customer service that walks you through the rebates available to you and how to obtain them.
Search “Solar Companies Near Me” ASAP
Now that you know how to seek out a great installer, you can search “solar companies near me” and get started ASAP. When you have a good installer, the process will be easy to understand and fast. Use these tips to find one you trust and your solar panel system can be up and running in a matter of days.
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