How to Choose a Solar System Installation Company for your Home

So, you have finally decided to install a solar system in your home: We congratulate you on this decision. However, this is not the only decision you will have to make as far as the process of installing a solar system in your home is concerned.

One of the most difficult decisions you will have to make is selecting the company that will carry out the installation process. The fact that there are so many Sacramento Solar Energy Companies all around doesn’t make the choice any easier.

Therefore, our job in this article is to help you through the decision-making process as we provide you with simple steps you should follow.

Identify the Company Type – Step 1

 

The term “solar company” is a broad term for organizations that provide solar-related services. Therefore, you need to identify which one you need. To help you out, we will quickly discuss these categories:

1. Equipment Manufacturers

These organizations only manufacture equipment such as photovoltaic panels. After the manufacture of these pieces of equipment, the company sells them to retailers or to direct buyers depending on the policy of the corporation.

2. Installation Companies

These are the folks you will deal with as far as the proper installation is concerned. They buy the equipment from the manufacturer and then install them.

Before the installation, they will, first of all, evaluate the site to verify that your roof is good enough. They will also take the measurements needed.

3. Financing Companies

This group strictly finances homes as well as businesses to join the solar movement. They partner with dealers and installation companies. You will only need these folks if you want to be financially assisted in turning over to solar energy.

4. Lead Generation Companies

Organizations such as this focus on helping other solar companies to generate leads as well as sales. Visit https://www.business.com/ to learn how to generate more sales leads for your business.

5. Panel Dealers

Panel dealers sell the products as received from the manufacturer. Sometimes, they have their installation team. Those that don’t usually outsource any installation job they get.

6. Full-Service Providers

These companies provide all the services the other firms above provide except manufacturing. Hence, if you are looking for a company that will handle all your needs, you can go for these professionals.

Get Several Quotes – Step 2

You shouldn’t just hire the first installer you meet. Instead, you need to get several quotes from several firms. This way, you will be able to determine what the average rate is.

The cost-per-watt standard is what must installers use when charging their customers. Your system’s size also determines how much you’ll be charged.

Most installers will visit your home for a site evaluation. During that visit, you can ask certain questions that you have about the whole process.

Select an Expert – Step 3

By this, we mean that the company must have relevant expertise as far as solar system installation is concerned. They should have NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification. Click this link to learn more about NABCEP.

Although not all the staff is expected to have this; for instance, the establishment’s sales consultant is not expected to have it. However, among the installation team, one technician must be NABCEP certified.

In the event they don’t have the certification, choose an installer with experience. Experience doesn’t mean how long they’ve been on the job. Rather, it means how many systems they have installed, and how many are similar to yours.

Check for License and Insurance – Step 4

Check for License and Insurance – Step 4

The organization you choose should possess all the required licenses and insurance. The C-10 license is a standard license that the technician must possess. This way, you can rest assured that they can effectively wire the system’s electrical components.

General liability insurance is also required to prevent you from paying for injuries in case of an accident during the job.

Examine Experience and Track Record – Step 5

We talked about experience a bit, but let’s expand on that. As we said, experience shouldn’t be a matter of years in business, but the number of systems the installer has worked on.

Therefore, do not be shy to ask the firm for the contacts of previous clients they have worked for. If they fail to provide such, then you can walk away and take your business elsewhere.

If they comply, ensure that you call those persons. Ask them if they were satisfied with the job that was done for them. You should also ask them if they will hire the firm to do another job for them in the future. Their response will help you decide on whether to work with the firm or not.

Investigate their Credibility and Reputation – Step 6

Speaking to the previous customers in step 5 should give you an idea of the credibility and reputation of the company. However, you can take it a bit further and check online reviews.

Do not use the reviews on the organization’s website as a yardstick. Instead look for third-party review sites such as Google, Yelp, BBB, EnergySage, and Solar Reviews.

If you find mostly negative reviews and ratings, then you should know that the credibility and reputation of that firm are deep in the mud.

Check Maintenance Services and Warranties – Step 7

Warranty is necessary in case something wrong happens after the installation. While a lengthy warranty is great, you shouldn’t be carried away by fledgling companies that offer such. They might just be doing that to secure the deal.

Any firm that offers you a lengthy warranty must first be investigated to confirm that they won’t ignore the warranty but will follow through no matter how long it takes.

Conclusion

With the steps we provided above, we are confident that choosing a solar system installation company for your home shouldn’t be a big deal. Always remember that no matter how good an offer might sound, you have to verify such claims first. Ensure that every installer passes the 7 steps above before hiring them.