Reality Check #: You Can Sell Extra Energy From Your Home System Back To The Power Company
The power company wont pay you to go solar. But, if you connect your system to the public grid, they will buy your excess power for resale to other Floridians.
The Florida governor recently vetoed a bill that would have limited Floridians ability to sell their extra solar-generated energy back to the energy company. Thats great news, because it means that you can still benefit financially from your excess power in the coming years while also providing clean energy to the community.
Learn more about offsetting energy costs with grid-tied solar systems.
Choose The Right Solar Panel Manufacturer
After conducting your market research, you should choose a manufacturer. There are many types of solar panels available today.
Some manufacturers specialize in making high-quality panels, while others focus mainly on low-cost models.
You may also want to consider whether you want to go with a brand name or a private label model.
A brand-name product usually costs more than a private label one, but it comes with better customer service and warranties.
If you decide to go with a brand, make sure to choose a reputable manufacturer.
Look up reviews online to see what other customers have to say about them. Also, check out their website to learn more about the company.
Your Roof Isnt Suitable For Solar Panels
When solar panels are installed on homes, they are nearly always on the roof. This is because the roof has the two necessary ingredients to host solar panels: surface space , and sun exposure .
But what if you dont have a roof to call your own, or you have a roof but it just isnt up to the job?
Here are all the roof-related factors that could either prevent a successful solar installation or make it uneconomic:
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How To Start A Solar Panel Business Right Now
How would you like to earn $10,000 per month from home? If you want to get started with owning a solar business, then read on.
Solar energy has become very popular over the last decade. The cost of solar panels continues to drop, and they are becoming more affordable every day.
In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household spends around $3,500 each year on electricity bills.
This means that installing solar panels peoples home or companies offices can save them thousands of dollars each year.
This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to start a solar business and supply these goods and services into the market.
How Do You Avoid Disaster
The reality is if you, if you go for the cheapest price, you’re going to get rubbish, says Brian.
Ross admits he was lured in by the competitive price, which stung him later.
Clean Energy Council is the peak body for the industry and has more than 5000 accredited installers.
Experts say this is should be a first point of reference for anyone wanting to avoid a dodgy deal.
Brian also urges people to look locally, as local suppliers can provide support after the fact and be close by if needed.
Watch the full segment above.
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What Consumer Complaints Reveal About The Solar Industry
CfAs year-long investigation into the solar industry reveals Vivint and SolarCity are the Industrys Leading Bad Actors
Executive Summary
Installing rooftop solar panels should be an easy decision for customers looking to lower their electric bills and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Net-metering and generous tax credits have made it more affordable than ever for homeowners to install panels and reap the financial benefits of going green. Unfortunately, the deceptive tactics of solar companies have made rooftop solar a bad bet for now.
Campaign for Accountabilitys year-long investigation into the rooftop solar industry has revealed promises of clean energy at reduced cost have proven deceptive. Unscrupulous actors have exploited vulnerable populations, preying on the elderly and those on fixed-incomes. Companies have misled consumers about the true costs of installing solar panels, provided shoddy craftsmanship, and left homeowners with higher utility costs, all while forcing them to sign unconscionable contracts that leave little possibility of recourse.
Background
Consumer Complaints
Questionable Companies
Holding the Industry Accountable
While clearly a front group for the solar industry, EPI is accorded expert status by even the most prestigious news organizations, while failing to note its obvious affiliation.
Footnotes
How Can I Find A Local Solar Installer
If youre looking to find a solar installer near you, send us an enquiry today. Our installer network includes local and nationwide solar companies and we will endeavour to find at least one local solar installer to provide you with a quote.
Get Free Solar Panel Quotes: Get quotes and compare prices.
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Solar Scam #: The Get Paid To Go Solar Scam
The hands-down biggest scam out there is the get paid to go solar scam, which comes in various iterations and taglines such as:
- Free solar panels/free batteries
- The government/energy company will pay for your solar panels
- No-cost solar
Predatory scammers play on consumers natural human desire to get the most benefit with the least investment in a product. Unfortunately, as we all know, theres no such thing as a free lunch.
Just think about it: if there really were solar panel companies paying people to go solar, they wouldnt need to resort to such deceptive and aggressive marketing tactics.
Avoid Solar Energy Scams
Solar energy is booming, and the future is brighter than ever. Through the use of rooftop solar panels, many homeowners can now harness the suns natural rays to produce their own electricity thats environmentally friendly and cost effective.
But with the increasing popularity of solar, unfortunately, some businesses are taking advantage of consumers who are interested in generating their own energy through rooftop panels.
While many solar companies are genuine and truly want to help consumers with a successful solar installation, there are the occasional bad apples.
Youve likely heard a story or two about solar vendors that promised rooftop panels that would generate enough electricity to power the entire home. Then, after the homeowner has paid thousands of dollars for the installation, the solar panels arent working, and the vendor is nowhere to be found. Sadly, this story has been the reality for many consumers.
If youre interested in solar panels for your home, consider these tips before installation:
Going solar is a major decision, so youll want to conduct a good bit of research first. If youre looking for a general starting point, check out the Department of Energys Homeowners Guide to Going Solar.
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Diy Solar Panel Installation Can Be Dangerous
First, it is important to note that installing solar panels is dangerous. Even professional crews have multiple people that work on this process. If you try to install solar panels on your own, you simply do not have the training to do this properly. You could run the risk of hurting yourself, damaging your property, and ruining equipment that you have paid good money for.
Professional crews go through an extensive amount of training to make sure they can install solar panels appropriately. Unless you have the same training, it is not safe for you to install your own solar panel. You could hurt yourself or someone else.
How Does The Solar Photovoltaic System Actually Work
A solar panel converts sunlight into electricity. The electricity produced by the solar panel is then used to power devices inside the house or business.
The electricity generated by the solar panel is sent back to the power company when there is more than enough electricity being produced than needed by the customers.
A photovoltaic panel consists of multiple cells arranged in an array. The output of the solar panel is connected to an inverter which converts DC current to AC current to be used by the grid.
Installations of PV systems are often referred to as solar farms or solar fields.
When hiring employees, you should always try to take advantage of opportunities that arise during expansion periods.
Dont wait until youre desperate to hire someone. Hire people who are already doing something well, and then let them grow into positions that require more responsibility.
Make sure you hire people who have the skills you need, but also make sure theyll be valuable to your organization.
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How To Avoid Solar Energy Scams
As they say, if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Salespeople will tell you everything you want to hear just to get that sale. So, in order to avoid dodgy deals and solar scams, one must carefully assess and educate oneself regarding solar functionalities and capabilities to make sure it is something you really want. Here are a few things to keep in mind so you will not become a victim of these scams.
Your Electricity Costs Are Already Low
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 96% of homeowners have installed solar, or are considering doing so, to save money on utility bills.
This makes perfect sense. Many American households spend hundreds of dollars every month on their power bills and solar panels are often the most effective way to slash that amount.
Financial modeling by SolarReviews shows 25-year bill savings in the amount of $78,682 for solar panels installed in San Francisco in 2022, for instance.
However, some homeowners dont spend very much on electricity. This could be because of one or more of the following factors:
- You have a small home
- You have a small household size
- Your home and appliances are energy efficient
- You enjoy low electric rates from your local utility
If thats you, and you pay $50 or less a month for electricity, then installing solar probably isnt worth the time and effort.
Check whether a solar installation would be worth it for you with our calculator
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Ensure Your Installer Does Quality Work
Selecting a solar installer with a solid reputation is essential to know that you can trust their sizing, installation, and support. A few ways to confirm you use a reliable installer include checking reviews on EnergySage or Google and asking your neighbors or colleagues about their experiences. EnergySage also provides seals of approval for top installers based on their actual past customer reviews, reputation, and responsiveness. Company profiles on EnergySage showcase installers certifications, years in business, workmanship warranties offered, languages spoken, success stories from past customers, and other helpful details.
Outstanding Regional Installer: Astrawatt Solar
Astrawatt Solar opened up shop in 2016 with a focus on simplifying the solar sales process. With an office in Houston, its staff are experts on the local incentives and tax credits available to reduce the costs associated with an installation. The young company has excellent reviews from its happy customers.
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Check The Product And Workmanship Warranties
The company installing your solar panels will usually offer two separate warranties. One which covers the product itself and one which covers the workmanship. Before going ahead with any installation, always check out the warranties and guarantees they can vary from installer to installer.
Generally speaking, the work will be covered for anything between 5 to 10 years, whilst the panels will be guaranteed for 20-25 years. Solar panels are manufactured to last, but you will need to replace the inverter at some stage most inverters come with a warranty of at least 5 years.
Reputation Certifications And Accreditations
Look for highly respected solar installers in your area. Some companies could have poor reputations due to aggressive sale tactics or deceptive advertising.
The top companies will also have certifications from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners , one of the most prestigious certifications for a solar company. You can also check the Better Business Bureau for additional information about the companys reputation and accreditation.
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Ask For A Comprehensive Quote
There are many elements that go into getting a quote for solar panel repairs. The first step is to get an estimate from your power utility. They will be able to tell you how much energy your system produces and what size of the inverter is needed. A solar panel installer can then use this information to provide a quote for the necessary work on your solar panels. The section should include all the costs associated with fixing the problem, including labor costs and replacement parts needed for the system repair. If it does not appear reasonable, there may be something wrong with how they calculated the price, or they might be trying to hide something from you such as poor quality workmanship or substandard products.
Moreover, try to get at least three other bids for the job. By getting multiple requests, you will be able to see how much each company charges for its services. You can then choose the one that offers the best price without sacrificing quality.
This will give you some perspective on whether or not your current bid is reasonable or not. As a result, you might find that another contractor can do the job for less than half as much as your first estimate.
Do Not Pay 100% Upfront For Solar Panel Repair Costs
When it comes to repairing solar panels, there are two choices. You can go with a company that charges 100% upfront for their services, or you can find one that offers a pay-as-you-go repair service. While it may seem like the best option is to pay up front for repairs since you know precisely what you will be paying, other factors make this a bad idea. Like most things in life, it is all about the fine print.
The biggest problem with paying upfront for solar panel repair costs is that the companies offering them are usually shady and unreliable. The fact that they are willing to take your money upfront shows that they do not have much faith in their ability to follow through on their promises. This means that if something goes wrong with your system after payment has been made, they may not be willing or able to fix it leaving you without power until further notice and without getting your money back.
The best way to avoid getting ripped off by shady companies offering up-front solar panel repair costs is always to pay after work has been completed. This way, there will never be any question about whether or not a company will fulfill its obligations because there was no obligation when it came time to pay them.
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How To Avoid Dodgy Solar Panel Installation And Choose The Right Company
It’s an investment that promises to help save big on power bills, but are solar panels worth the risk? A new audit shows an alarming number of installations aren’t up to scratch.
Nearly two million Australian homes have solar panels and demand is only expected to grow as more and more Aussies try to beat the power bill surge.
A Current Affair looks into the idea that when business booms so too does temptation for rouge traders. Watch the video above.
Ross Allan got a great deal on his solar at almost 50 percent off, but his system has been disconnected for months.
One day he was on the roof cleaning the panels, and noticed smoke coming out of one of the isolators.
Its pretty shocking because the house could have caught on fire, says Ross.
When he tried to reach out to the company to have the problem fixed under warranty, he discovered the number was disconnected.
Last month, True Value Solar which is one of Australias largest solar panel installers shut down, citing an overly competitive market.
Electrician Rod Grono calls people like Ross Solar orphans those that have nowhere to turn when something goes wrong.
They’re often a sales-based business that uses contractors, and they pay the contractors fairly poorly, and consequently the job doesn’t get done as well as it should, says Rod.
Around 80 percent of flagged installations pose a danger due to the risk of water, which can be a serious fire hazard.
The 10 Best Solar Companies Of 2022
In this article: Top Solar Companies of 2022 | The Bottom Line |Benefits of Solar Energy| How to Choose| Methodology
As awareness of renewable energy benefits grows worldwide, the solar industry is booming. There are now hundreds of providers in the United States alone. Navigating the growing number of solar companies can be overwhelming, to say the least, and comparing products, services and pricing can be a headache-inducing task.
If you are committed to powering your home through a solar power system but dont know where to start, we at the Home Media reviews team have compiled a list of our recommendations of the top solar companies to help you get started. The list below is based on our research of dozens of providers across the country. Each solar installation company featured in our review has been evaluated on a variety of factors, such as pricing, services, products and customer support.
Get a Quote on Your Solar Installation in 30 Seconds
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