These days, the cost of everything is rising, most certainly including our amazing high energy costs, Recent CNET Survey It was found that 78% of the surveyed American adults stressed. For homeowners looking to reduce their monthly bills, turning to solar is a logical next step, perhaps giving back to the grid on low energy dates, while bank solar drops as the grid drops due to overwhelming or reduced demand transformers.
Installing solar panels is a wise investment that can Increase the value of the house,,,,, Reduce your energy billbut with tens of thousands of dollars, you can’t easily adopt it no matter how many federal or local incentives you can use. Know the right question Solar energy company In your area, you can ensure smooth installation and save thousands of your system in a lifetime.
Through research and expertise from the CNET Energy team, we have collected 15 questions and expected answers – you should ask before signing any contract for any solar installer.
1. How long have you been in business?
The recent boom in the solar industry means there is more action than ever before. This is usually a good thing, but not everyone is an experienced installer or even a legal business.
“Sometimes these installation companies fly at night. They are open for a month and closed the next month,” Jani Hale said. Solar Joint Neighborsa nonprofit organization that can help consumers get to solar by forming residential cooperatives and providing educational support. Ideally, the installer will be in business for three years or more.
2. What is your company’s certification?
Online reviews of solar installers are a great start, but they are not as reliable as industry certifications. this National Commission on Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) sets standards of knowledge, experience and professionalism in the field of renewable energy. “We recommend that at least one person in the company receive NABCEP certification to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills,” Hale said.
Additional certifications can tell you more about the company’s labor practices and environmental standards. B Corp certified companies must comply with certain social and environmental standards in their operations, including fair labor practices and wages. “If installers pay fairly, they will be more likely to do quality installations,” said Micah Gold-Markel, who founded the Philadelphia installer. Sun Country In 2008.
3. What are the rules for solar energy in our state?
“For different states, there are different rules, so it’s very important to make sure the person you’re talking to can explain the rules in your state very important,” Gold-Markel said.
For example, California The law limits the return of residential solar energy to the power grid. In Pennsylvania, residential systems can send unlimited power back to the grid and require the utilities required to pay the full retail price. Those state by state can significantly affect Return on investment period For your system.
4. What are the solar incentives in my area?
Except 30% Federal Tax Credit Under the Inflation Reduction Act, you may be eligible for additional credits or incentives based on other factors. These incentives may add up, before any local or specific incentives come into play. Knowledgeable solar installers will be able to tell you about federal, state and local incentives that can help you save money. “Depending on how you use these various federal incentives, you can get back between 30% and 60% of your solar energy costs,” Gold-Markel said.
For example, if you are Buy solar energy for your business Depreciation of the asset can be accelerated, allowing for greater tax relief in the first few years of your system. If your installer uses Materials made in the United States.
5. What type of equipment do you use and are produced ethically?
Ask the device the installer plans to use and why they make the choice. If your home has a complex or well-designed roof, a company that uses only one panel may not be the most suitable one. “Beware of salespeople, they imply that there is only one solar system or Battery storage,” Hale said. “There are many brands of solar equipment and system designs to choose from. ”
Gold-Markel also recommends asking about the source of the device and prefer panels made in the United States. “We are part of Amicus, a national cooperative of installers who buy ethically sourced solar panels,” he said. “If you can find Amicus installation professionals in your area, then you You will know that you are getting a responsible procurement system.”
6. Do I need a new roof before installing solar?
The age of the roof is a key consideration for solar driving. Solar United neighbors recommend replacing the roof with less than 10 to 15 years of life left before installing the system.
Capable solar installers should be able to have opinions on the condition of the roof and make recommendations as part of their recommendations. “They may not be roofers, but they should be able to say, ‘We see some damage on your roof, and if you do a replacement before solar, that would be a good idea.”
7. Is your company going to perform the installation?
Believe it or not, the salesperson you are talking to may be invalid for companies that can actually complete the installation. Make sure you are signing the installer Will be the worker.
“There are a lot of high-voltage marketing companies out there posing as solar companies,” Gold-Markel said. “All they have to do is market and sell, and then they pawn the solar installation from other companies. That could be the real secret to disaster.”
Make sure you know who will actually put the solar panels on the house before signing the dotted line.
8. What is your installation schedule?
You need to discuss a rough project schedule with any solar installation program you are considering – both when work begins and how long it will take to get your solar installation up and running. Hale points out that this is a well-known installer should ask you.
“The installer should ask your time frame is to install the system so they can provide you with space for research,” she said. “A very good installer will wait for you to get back to them.”
9. What maintenance packages or warranties are there?
Gold-Markel recommends asking about extended warranty or operation, and Maintenance package Covering the entire life of the system, usually about 25 years. “Ask you if you can also get an operation and maintenance package, which is an extended warranty covering solar life, or a longer warranty for the process than the contract provides,” he said.
10. Are there any fees related to financing my system and who is providing financing?
because High interest ratesfinancing solar installations is an attractive option compared to a few years ago. If you are considering FinancingGold-Markel said it is important to ask for any hidden fees that may be part of the agreement. It is also important to study institutions that offer loans, which may be third parties and read the terminology carefully to understand what happens if you default.
11. What is the cost of my solar system, in USD per watt?
Homeowners tend to pay attention to the total Cost of installing solar energy or cost per panel. When comparing solar installation programs, make sure to compare costs per watt, Hale said. The total cost of the two solar systems may be similar, but the wattage generated may vary depending on the panel size and capacity. Systems with lower cost per watt are better deals.
12. How much consumption will my solar energy offset?
A good solar installation program should allow you to easily understand how your solar system can satisfy the power consumption of your home. Factors like weather, shadows, roof size and home energy use can all affect the power generated by the panel.
Your system will contain information about the electricity in your home, which should be included in the advice of a reputable solar installer for your project, and the installer should publish information about this information immediately. “If this is obviously arranged in the proposal, then nine out of ten, that’s a green flag,” Hale said.
13. What is lifelong savings based on?
Your discussion with solar installers should not only estimate how much you can save in the life of your system, but also how to get that estimate.
Installers calculate lifetime savings using a metric called a “utilities escalator.” This percentage describes the estimated inflation rate of power costs, based on historical trends (and unlike escalators). Electricity Purchase Agreement). Solar United Neighbors recommends checking that the utility escalators used in the competition recommendations for different installers are the same to help you compare accurately.
14. Is the power generation estimate guaranteed?
Gold-Markel said it is impossible to ensure that every panel in the solar system will always generate power at the maximum level, but a good installer should be able to ensure that the panels perform within a reasonable range.
“If the overall power output is within a reasonable error rate, like 10% of the forecast, then I think you should be happy with the results,” he said.
15. How to sell solar points back to the grid?
Net measurement policy In some states, you can sell the power generated by your solar system to the public grid – a big solar incentive that can greatly shorten the payback period of your system. You don’t usually sell that power directly to energy.
Instead, homeowners often sell solar renewable energy certificates or SRECs through third parties called brokers or aggregaters. Your installer may be able to connect you with a broker. If you wish to choose your own broker, Solar United Neighbors recommends that you conduct a careful check of the contract to make sure that such contracts are not prohibited in your agreement.
