Tips for choosing a solar professional

Choosing a solar professional to install your system is, in many ways, a lot like finding any other home contractor, and the basics of due diligence certainly apply.

this is when you need to do your homework. Get more than one bid from one solar installer. Ask them for references and look at the company's history and reputation. But given the relative youth and rapid growth of the industry, and the fact that much of your investment will be tied up in solar equipment, it is especially important to check for expertise, experience, and solid products and warranties.
 

Look for expertise with solar panel systems

Even if a company is relatively new, it should have experienced installers in charge. At least one member of the team should know what they are doing, but with videos on the internet teaching us how to do stuff. Maybe they are learning as they go too. It is good to have someone certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as well as the license number of the electrician who is going to do the final hookup to the grid.
 

Check member directories for solar professionals

Check the directories of local industry professional associations if you need a place to start your search. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) is a good place to start. The energy society (ASES) is another group that you can search. They have many regional and state chapters too. California's is called CALSEIA.

To find out what panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.