Apart from buying the right components, nothing is as important to a successful and long-lasting set up of your home solar power system as choosing the right solar installer.

Selecting the right company can take some time, but do it correctly can bring you peace of mind and energy rewards for years to come.

Tips to Find the Best Solar Installer

Choosing the right solar panel installer requires more than just going online and typing “Solar installer near me.” You want your solar power system to be the right size for your electricity needs, for your roof and your budget.

Unfortunately, not all solar installers can provide the expertise, high-quality workmanship, and reliable customer service to ensure your system performs efficiently to provide the highest return on investment. A typical solar panel installation has a lifespan of 25-30 years, so you want to work with an experienced company that you will probably have a very long relationship with.

Here are five tips for choosing the right solar installer:

Recommendations and reputation

Ask family and friends who have already solar panels on their roof to recommend you their installer. Ask about their experience, how easy or difficult it was to work with them and the prices. 

If no one close to you has taken the renewable energy road, you can lead the charge by reading consumer reviews of installers in your area. Check the satisfactory experiences and the complaints, are the latter for petty things or substantial mishaps? In the same vein, what the company did to correct or not correct the problem can also reveal a lot of information about the business. 

Get several quotes

When looking for an installer, check several in your area and ask for quotes. Those quotes should include how big of a photovoltaic (PV) system is right for your energy need and estimated costs. 

A contractor's bid should include the peak generating capacity (watts) of your solar electric system and the total cost including hardware, installation, connecting to the grid, permitting, and warranty.

One way to easily do this is with the Hahasmart price checker, which gives you this information in a matter of seconds by simply using your address and average monthly utility bill. They’ll recommend what the correct solar power system is for your home to offset those electricity costs, the total cost of equipment and even an estimated cost of installation of your solar panels. They also refer you to an installer with the correct installation price.

Brands and design

Once you get the quotes and select two or three of the best ones, you should arrange some home visits where the installer should assess your property, roof and recommend the best layout for your solar power system. 

The installer should also be able to recommend the best brands for that energy system, its components and electric output. 

The customer service that your potential installer exhibits during the consultation process can provide a good indication of how they’ll handle the total solar project. Assess the installer’s solar knowledge, helpfulness, ability to explain technical information in simple terms, level of professionalism and whether he or she responded in a timely fashion.

Panel and inverter warranties

The power output or performance warranty on solar panels often lasts between 25 and 35 years. This warranty covers repairs of the actual silicon cells, should their electric production fall below a given percentage. A workmanship or product warranty may also be offered, which covers other components of the panel, such as the glass, backing and laminate. 

Inverters are the element most susceptible to breakdown, as they continually work to convert the collected DC (direct current) power into AC (alternating current) that you need to come out of your wall sockets. Inverter warranties generally last between five and 10 years on string inverters and 25 years for microinverters.

String inverters connect several panels into a single, central unit, while microinverters attach to each individual panel, giving you more leeway into solar array configuration and solar module efficiency.

Certifications

Solar panel installations are mainly regulated at the state, county and utility level. Some states have adopted specific licensing requirements for solar power installers and for solar panels and related equipment. However, many states have not yet done so. As a general rule if a state does not have specific licensing requirements for installers then it would fall back to general licensing requirements that would apply to all electrical work. In relation to the licensing of solar panels and inverters many states rely on the Californian Energy Commission lists for approved solar panels and approved solar inverters. This list relies on compliance with standards UL 1741, UL 1702 and IEEE1547. This list is searchable through this site or through the GoSolar California website.

The right certifications can help assure that your solar array is installed carefully and correctly. In the U.S. market, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is one of the most reputable certification programs for solar PV and solar heating installers—and a good credential to look for. 

Typically, the installer will apply for rebates and incentives on your behalf and arrange for your system to be interconnected to your utility company's power grid. The installer may also apply for local permits and assist you with federal tax credits on the installation.

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