In the year 2018, solar energy supported about 1.5% of the United States electricity demand. To date, there are more than 2 million solar PV systems that generate 71,300 MW of solar capacity. As more Americans embrace the use of solar energy, the demand will likely hit the roof soon.
Are you considering installing solar panels for your home? You’ll join a growing list of more than 12 million American households that currently use solar as their primary source of energy.
Using solar energy is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. However, you might need to work with a qualified solar installer to ensure professionalism in the installation process. Ultimately, the effectiveness and reliability of solar panels depend on the quality of the installation process.
Are you wondering what to look for in a qualified solar installer? These questions can help select the wheat from the chaff when hiring a reliable solar installer.
- Are You Licensed?
You don’t want to end up working with a quack for a solar installer during this process. As such, it would help to consider licensing as a matter of priority. Most states require a general contracting license or at least a home improvement permit.
Solar installation falls under the general electrical or plumbing licenses category. Even if the installer does not have a specialty license, they should have a general electrical permit. Resist the temptation to work with a contractor who lacks the appropriate state or federal permits.
- How Long Have You Been in the Business?
Talking to installers candidly can help you make more informed decisions about who to hire. One vital question to ask your solar installer during such banter is their years of experience. You would want to know the number of solar panels the solar installer has succeeded in putting up to date.
Experience is essential in the solar installation process. Just like wine, solar installers get better with time. Consider installers who confirm that they have at least three years in the business.
Asking this question will also ensure that you eliminate any risk of hiring a novice. At Absolute Environmental Solutions, our team of experienced and highly seasoned experts has been in this business long enough to understand your expectations.
- Do You Subcontract Any of Your Installation Process?
Once you hire a solar installer, you want the assurance that they’ll carry on with the process to the end. You don’t want the risk of ending up with half-baked installation due to unauthorized subcontracting of services.
Most novice solar installation companies subcontract part of the installation process to third-party partners. While outsourcing is part of any routine business operation, you need to ensure two things.
The first is that the subcontracted company has the requisite experience. The second consideration is that the original contractor must promise to take full responsibility for the installation process in case of any substandard workmanship.
- What Are Your Charges?
Most Americans assume that installing solar panels is an expensive affair. However, the Office of Energy Efficiency has noted a more than 50% drop in the cost of solar panels since 2014. As such, asking about the value of solar installation beforehand can help you plan and prepare for the financial implications.
Inquiring about the cost of installing the solar panels will also ensure that you get to know about any hidden charges. You’ll also be able to compare the cost of installation across multiple contractors. The solar installation fee for an average-sized installation in the United States ranges from $ 11,411 to around $14, 874.
- Does Your Company Offer Financing Options?
You want to be sure that you get the best out of this deal. Whether you consider a leasehold or an upfront sale, you might need to consider any likely financing alternatives the contractor may offer.
Talking to installers can help you grab a hold of any available financing arrangements on offer. Whether such incentives are through the state government grants or local authorities, they can ease the actual cost of installation.
You can ask this question to get a concise response to more accessible means to finance the installation process.
- Do You Have References and Reviews?
If the prospective installer does a good job, then customer loyalty should be automatic. One of the best ways to learn more about a solar installer and the services they offer is to check their reviews. Whether online or through word of mouth, previous clients offer candid feedback about services offered.
If the solar installer doesn’t have references and reviews, then this might be a red flag. Ensure that you only work with solar installation contractors with a proven record of accomplishment.
The only way to confirm this is to consider the number of positive reviews or rating. At Absolute Environmental Solutions, our testimonials speak for us when it comes to quality delivery.
- Do You Offer Warranties for Your Work?
You don’t want to take risks when investing in solar installation. While most of the hardware involved has the manufacturer warranties, you should be concerned about the workmanship. Depending on the solar installer, you might have a warranty that runs between a year and a decade.
You might consider pushing for extended workmanship warranties from your contractor. This will ensure that you have a guarantee of quality for a specific period after the initial installation. At Absolute Environmental Solutions, we understand your need for warranties and endeavor to tailor them to suit your needs. That’s why we offer the industries longest power output warranty at 30 years and a 25 year materials warranty. Compare that to other companies that only offer 10-20 year warranties.
Hire a Professional Solar Installer Now
Selecting an adept solar installer for your next installation project isn’t easy. It would help if you considered a few factors when making this all-important decision. With these seven questions, you can put your potential installer on the spot before deciding on who to hire.
Are you wondering where to get a reliable general contractor for your solar installation project? You’re in luck. At Absolute Environmental Solutions, we have all the answers when it comes to solar installation.
You can contact us today and talk to our experts on everything solar.
