Common Questions About Residential Solar Panel Purchase and Installation
When you purchase solar, you are not only signing a contract with your solar installer, but you’re also entering a relationship with them that will last as long as you have your solar in your home. Therefore, it is crucially important to choose a solar installer you can trust.
The journey to finding the right solar installer for your project begins with the first conversation you have with any company’s solar salesperson. Asking the right questions at the right time will help give you some insight into the companies, so you can start narrowing down your choices.
Here are the top five questions on a variety of important topics to ask your solar salesperson before signing that contract.
Questions to Ask About the Solar Installer
Asking the following questions will help ensure that the company you are putting your trust in to install your solar system is trustworthy and legitimate.
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you NABCEP-certified, licensed, bonded, and insured?
- What is your business license number?
- How many residential solar systems have you installed, and can you share references of at least three satisfied customers?
- Have you worked with my local utility company before?
Questions to Ask About the Solar Equipment
Most solar installers use high-quality brands with good warranty coverage and longevity, but this is never guaranteed to be the case. Asking the following questions will help ensure that the solar equipment your installer uses is of good quality.
- Why do you use the equipment you work with?
- What solar equipment do you have on your own roof or business?
- What type of warranty comes with the solar panels, inverter, etc.?
- Have any other homeowners had any issues with their solar equipment?
- Who do I contact if something goes wrong with my solar equipment?
Questions to Ask About Paying for the Solar System
The cost of going solar is one of the biggest obstacles most homeowners have to overcome before making the decision to buy. So, asking the following questions will help you understand all the financial aspects of going solar.
- What financing options are available?
- Will my financed payments stay the same over the life of my loan?
- How much will my payments be and when will they be due?
- Am I eligible for the solar tax credit or any other incentives that can help reduce the cost of my system?
- How long will it take for my solar system’s energy savings to pay back its cost?
Questions to Ask About the Solar Installation Process
Having solar installed on your home is usually a relatively quick and seamless process, but it is still a major project. As a result, you will want to know what to expect. Asking the following questions will help give you an idea of how the solar installation process works.
- What is involved in the installation process?
- How long will it take for my installation to be completed, and what is the timeline?
- Do you offer any guarantees on your work?
- What happens if you don’t finish the installation on time?
- What happens if a roof leak develops after the solar panels have been installed?
Questions to Ask About What Happens Next
One of the benefits of solar panel systems is that they are designed to last for at least 25 years, so you shouldn’t have to worry about things for a few decades. But of course, this is no guarantee that things can’t or won’t go wrong, so it pays to be prepared for what happens next once your system is up and running. Asking the following questions will help ensure you know that to expect over the coming years.
- What happens if my solar panels don’t produce as much energy as you claim?
- What happens if I need to have my solar panels removed to have work done on my roof?
- What do I do if one of my solar panels has a manufacturing defect or breaks because of a storm or other natural disaster?
- What do I do if I want to add additional panels or battery storage to my system?
- What happens if I move while still paying off the panels?
Asking questions is the best weapon you have in your arsenal for weeding out illegitimate solar installers. Whenever you ask questions, your solar salesperson should be able to provide quick, good, and logical answers, and they shouldn’t have any problem answering anything.
Remember – a good solar installer will always be willing and open to answer all your questions and concerns. If your salesperson seems hesitant to answer certain questions or their answers just don’t seem right, that’s a sure sign to start looking at other solar installers.