Considering Solar Energy What To Ask Solar Companies
Thinking about installing solar panels on your property? If so, there are many solar companies that would be more than willing to provide you with all the information you require. Heres a checklist of things to ask about when you are doing your research and contacting solar companies in your area. Answers to these points will help you make your decision about moving forward with installing solar panels in your house or business.
How Much Experience Does Your Solar Installer Have
MOXIE has a long record of solar installs that spans over a decade. Weve put up almost 100,000 solar panels in 25 states. We want you to shop around and compare pricing, warranties, experience, reputation and customer reviews. Were confident that MOXIE will give you the best of everything. The best customer service, the best deal on solar panels and installation, and the best guarantee.
Other solar installers are side projects for HVAC, electricians, or roofing companies. Listen, theres nothing wrong with inexperience. Everyone walks before they can run.
But MOXIE solar installers can do the job 2-3x faster than the national average.
How? MOXIE employs Rapid Installation Teams that includes our solar installers, engineers, site-surveyors, permitting experts, finance team, and more.
Questions About Your State
How expensive is your electricity? Solar panels are more valuable to you if you live somewhere with high electricity rates. The U.S. Energy Information Administration provides a map of electric rates, so you can see how your state compares. Confirm by looking at the rate per kilowatt hour on your bill.
What state incentives are available? Many states offer their own incentives on top of the federal tax credit. For example, the state of Maryland will pay residents $1,000 for installing a solar system. You can look up your state in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.
Does your state have net metering? Net metering means that if you generate more electricity than you need, the power company will buy it back from you, which can be beneficial. Thirty-eight states and the District offer net metering
Is my state an SREC state? Roughly 30 states plus the District require power companies to generate a portion of their electricity from renewable sources such as solar. Power companies will pay you to help them do this. SREC stands for solar renewable energy certificate. For every 1,000 kilowatt hours of solar power you generate, you earn one SREC. Your utility will buy it from you for as much as $480 in some areas.
Hows the weather in your state? Solar panels should work in most any state except, perhaps, parts of Alaska. But you can look up your states average number of days of sun to get a feel for just how productive your system might be.
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How Should I Finance My Panels
Several ways to finance solar panels, but most people either pay for the entire system outright or get a loan. Solar companies sometimes offer loans directly, so its not a red flag if they provide that. Alternatively, you can get a loan from most banks, credit unions, and similar institutions.
Be sure to ask about any special loan offers you qualify for. For example, incentive programs can get you lower interest rates for solar upgrades, and a good installation company will know what programs youre likely to qualify for.
The ideal loan costs less to repay each month than youll save on your electricity bill by switching to solar. The difference between these numbers is extra money in your pocket each month, which goes up significantly when you pay off the loan.
How To Find Reputable Solar Installers
EnergySage is the nation’s online solar marketplace: when you sign up for a free account, we connect you with solar companies in your area, who compete for your business with custom solar quotes tailored to fit your needs. Over 10 million people come to EnergySage each year to learn about, shop for and invest in solar. .
Enter your zip code to see solar quotes near you
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Will The Solar Farm Development Interfere With Our Farming Operations
The development process should not interfere with your farming operations. The process we outlined above often occurs offsite and requires minimal ground time from surveyors or other officials. Apart from annual maintenance visits, your day-to-day living shouldnt be interrupted once the solar farm is operational.
With that being said, during the construction of the solar farm, you may see heavier traffic depending on the location of the solar project. As with any construction, materials will need to be delivered and workers will be onsite to build the project.
Some landowners see construction as an exciting time. The solar panels are rising up right before their eyes and they have a check in their pocket.
Questions To Ask South Carolina Solar Companies
Another month, another high power bill. Youre sick of it, but what are you supposed to do? The answer might be solar panels. They can be quite the investment, so you shouldnt decide to get them lightly. They might not be right for your home.
Thats why its important to ask South Carolina solar companies the right questions before you hire them. Theyll be able to tell you if panels are worth it and help you figure out how to finance them. Its also a good idea to ask about warranties and the quality of the panels. Check out this guide to learn more.
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Do You Have A License To Install Solar Panels
Installing solar panels isnt a DIY project. Depending on where you live, youll need different licensing in order to install solar panels on your property. For examplein California, youll need a C-46 license to carry out solar installations and repairs, and similar licenses are required across the country.
This is why its best to go through a legitimate solar energy company that can set you up with a licensed contractor who can install your panels with the appropriate license. When you work with an expert, youll know your solar panels were installed properly.
Are Your Solar Installations Done In
Above all, we feel as if this is one of the most important questions to ask a solar company: do you do all of your own installations? Whereas there are many one-stop-shop solar companies that provide design, installation, and financing all under one roof, there are also many solar panel sales entities that contract their installations.
Although you may be able to save a bit of money on the upfront costs of your system, in general, using a company that subcontracts their installations comes with a few inherent risks. Overall, there is less quality control. A salesman can promise the world so that you will sign the dotted line, but when it comes to the installation, the subcontracted company may run into operational issues that are simply no longer the problem of the original solar company who sold you the system.
Learn more about the dangers of solar companies who subcontract their installations.
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Be An Informed Solar Consumer
This list of 10 questions is designed as a guideline to help you in the process of picking out a solar installation company. It is by no means a be all end all resource. The most important thing for you is to be an informed consumer. Always get at least three estimates from reputable contractors and dont be badgered by hard sales tactics. Home Solar power is an affordable, renewable and clean energy source that can save you literally thousands of dollars per year.
What Are The Worst Solar Companies
Wed rather applaud the best companies than bash the worst, but sadly there are a number of solar companies that have run into legal troubles or been identified as having misleading sales tactics or poor customer service. These companies give solar a bad name and prove the importance of doing your research before signing a solar contract.
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What Makes Individuals At Your Company Qualified To Design Engineer And Install Solar
This is a great question that can help you narrow your selection of solar companies to consider partnering with. Ask about any solar industry certifications they may have. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners provides a certification that signifies the expertise of the individual holding the certification. Consider asking about industry awards such as Solar Power Worlds Top U.S. Solar Contractor selection and any advanced education which may highlight the expertise of the team. Learn more about Eagle Point Solars experience.
If My Roof Needs Repairs How Do I Remove And Replace The Solar Panels
Solar installation companies should be able to describe how you can remove and replace your solar panels, including the best places to disconnect the system. However, they may suggest leaving this to a professional roof repair company instead. Such companies often have experience working around solar systems and can do all the work for you.
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How Long Will My Panels Last
It will be hard for your solar company to give you an exact number because many factors go into longevity. As long as you take care of your system, however, it should continue working for over 20 years or so. Theres not that much that goes into maintenance. Youll have to keep them clean and have an inspection done every year or so, but thats about it.
Questions To Ask Before Going Solar
Going solar should never be an impulse buy. In fact, for most homeowners, going solar will be one of the largest purchases that they make over their lifetime, after a home and a car. With that being said, homeowners thinking about going solar should take the time and effort to determine if solar is a smart investment
Unfortunately, that is easier said than done as the majority of Americans are unfamiliar with the complexities of the solar industry. So, to help homeowners get a better idea of whether solar is right for their home and circumstances, weve created 10 questions to ask and answer when considering solar.
1. Why Should I Go Solar?
Well, thats technically up to you, but the majority of homeowners choose to go solar for the electricity bill savings. While this might be the initial attraction of going solar, many homeowners dont realize that solar also allows you to control your power bill as well as increase your property value.
2. Is My House Right for Solar?
Because the answer to this question directly affects the cost and the savings of your system, it is the most important question on the list.
For the most part, it is hard to determine on your own whether solar is right for your home, but there are three things you can look at to get a basis of whether you should even consider investing in solar:
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Solar Backup And Solar Storage: What You Need
Solar backup systems and solar storage systems are used to hold excess energy generated by your solar panels. Homeowners have two choices when it comes to their excess energy: they can sell it back to the grid and receive credit for it, or they can divert it to a solar storage system for use at night. Many homes have increased energy usage at night, and using energy stored in a solar backup system means you dont have to purchase additional energy from the grid.
If youd like more information about solar backup and solar storage, or if you have any questions, please contact Greenhouse Solar today. Our team is standing by and ready to help. Discover why were the preferred solar supplier for so many people in and around Morris County, NJ. We look forward to hearing from you.
How Often Do You Have Issues After Installation What Types Of Problems Do You Run Into And How Do You Fix It
It would be nearly unbelievable if a company says theyve never had a problem. You just want to be sure youre in good hands if something doesnt go as planned. Ask how they handle service calls.
And if you get the sense that theyre constantly patching up leaky roofs or replacing bad panels, dig further. What are they doing to avoid these problems in the future? How big of an issue is this in the solar industry overall?
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How Do I Know You Are The Developer To Go With When Considering Leasing My Land For A Solar Farm
A good, reputable solar developer should keep you informed throughout the whole process. Along with this, they should recognize that for you, this is a big decision. No reputable solar developer will exert undue pressure on you to sign a contract without giving you time to review the lease with a lawyer, if you so choose.
Throughout the process of a solar project, solar developers work with you to ensure that you are always kept in the loop. You should be their number one priority because it is your land that will be used for a solar farm.
We always encourage our clients to ask us questions so we can address their concerns, and we encourage them to keep in touch with any queries they might have. We strive to build a long-lasting bond with those who lease their land to us, and any solar developer you choose should do the same.
To recap, when solar companies are visiting you onsite, remember to use this time to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have about the project.
The five questions weve listed above will give you a good starting point for any other inquiries you may have. Your solar developer should want you to be fully comfortable with your decision and should want to build a relationship with you.
Workmanship Warranties: What’s Covered And For How Long
In the unlikely event theres an issue with your solar panel system, its important to know who to call if something goes wrong. There are multiple different warranties that come with your solar energy system, from manufacturer warranties for different components to workmanship warranties from your installer.
The workmanship warranty is specific to the work the installer performs, and is typically somewhere between 1 and 10 years. Be sure to check with your installer to see whats included in the warranty, if there are any exclusions, and if theres any cost to you in the event they have to come out and check on or replace some equipment.
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How Many Panels Will I Need
Depending on where you live, youll need to assess how much sunlight your panels will be able to receive and how many panels youll need to power your home. This will vary with geography, depending on the hours of sunlight that your property gets and the direction that your roof faces.
If you live in a state that gets less sun than average, youll need more panels, whereas if you live in a state or area that gets plenty of sunshine, you may need fewer. Consider how many panels you will need to power your home and the cost versus the potential savings that you could get out of the investment in the long term. Knowing this will help guide you throughout the installation process.
Finding The Right Home Solar Installation Company
It can be a challenge to find the right solar installation company for your home or business. Be sure to ask the right questions while choosing your solar installation company. It is a substantial investment, and you want to protect that investment by using the best vehicles to maximize your returns. Here are the 8 commonly asked questions to ask your solar installer to make sure you avoid the common mistakes most people make going solar.
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Questions To Ask About Warranties And Replacement/repair Procedures:
Are You Offering Any Special Incentives Or Programs
In Question #1, we briefly talked about the inability of some out-of-state or smaller solar companies to offer certain solar incentives. This is definitely true in Massachusetts, and likely in other locations as well.
You absolutely dont want to miss out on solar incentives because the solar company is not capable of offering them. This would certainly break our hearts, so do your due diligence and make sure you can get every solar incentive available to you!
For instance, in MA, a MassCEC Turnkey Solar Integrator can offer the Mass Solar Loan, and an income Based Rebate. These are great programs and can potentially save homeowners lot of money!
Helpful Questions:
- Are you MassCEC Expedited Solar Installer?
- Are you offering any solar incentives other solar companies cannot offer because they are out of state or no qualified?
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