Solar installation is considered a type of electrical construction project that must align with local city codes and policies. Before you hire a solar installer you have to make sure that the company has all the necessary business licenses and insurance policies.

Those requirements vary by state, but the typical business licenses for a solar company are: 

• general contracting
• electrician
• home improvement, or home performance contracting licenses

In addition, good solar installers should also have general liability insurance.

There are some installers that work with a template design approach and do not offer customized designs for your roof. A good solar installer will always take into consideration your needs, make a personal visit to your home, inspect the roof, and then recommend the right solar panel equipment that best fits not only your budget but your lifestyle and aesthetic requirements. 

We suggest you choose an installer that customizes the solar panel system so it works best for your property. As a result, you will maximize your solar system output. Higher output means more utility savings, therefore recovering the cost of installation years earlier.

Installing solar is a type of an electrical construction project and since companies use various solar equipment we strongly suggest you protect yourself with a warranty. Different types of equipment come with different warranties. 

You should make a difference between solar product warranties vs. workmanship warranties. While product warranties protect you against equipment issues, workmanship warranties protect you from labor-related problems that might occur from the actual installation process.

• Workmanship warranties: Most last between one to 10 years but it varies between installers. Some installers cover labor costs for any equipment servicing during their warranty period, while others do not.
• Solar panel warranty: There are two types – performance and equipment guarantee. Solar panels guarantee 90% production at 10 years and 80% at 25 years, while an equipment warranty will typically guarantee 10-12 years without issues.
• Solar inverter warranty: Usually, the warranty is at least 10 years, but some solar inverter manufacturers will offer an extended warranty up to 25 years for an additional price.  Solar inverters have a shorter lifespan than solar panels and keep in mind you will need to replace it at least once.

At first, it may appear that most warranties are the same. However, it’s very important that you pay attention and fully read the “fine print” of the warranty. You should prefer a warranty that covers all of the solar system installation, not just the solar panels. If your system is built with equipment from various companies make sure that each part is covered by a manufacturer warranty. Your solar panel system should be expected to last for at least 25 years, so the warranty should as well. 

Solar energy is a fast-growing industry so it’s very important to know the reputation of the solar installer you are choosing. Here are some tips to start your search for a reputable installer:

• Ask for recommendations from your friends, family or neighbors. 
• Check the company’s website and see how long they have been in business and how many solar panels they have installed. 
• Check consumer reviews, if they have good ratings or even some industry awards. 

In most cases, a solar installer’s experience is more important than the size of the company. 

Financing your solar panels depends on many factors like your lifestyle, income, savings or personal preferences. You can go solar by paying cash, taking a loan, leasing , PACE program or entering a power purchase agreement (PPA). One of the ways to set your financial expectations is to ask the installer for a proposal that includes how much you can save with solar in a period of 5, 10 or 20 years. In addition, a trustworthy solar installer should not push you toward a specific type of financing such as solar lease or a solar loan especially if that’s not suitable to your needs. Furthermore, a good solar installer should be able to guide you through the process on how to take advantage of solar rebates and incentives for homeowners.

Going solar isn’t just installing solar panels. If you are thinking of long-term savings you should choose an installer that offers additional services and smart technologies. For example, you can consider integrating solar with battery storage.

To get the best out of your solar system, you can purchase tracking devices, and performance monitoring programs. The right solar company provides 24 hour service upon demand, offering cleaning and maintenance for your solar panels. Also, annual service check-ups should be provided.

Misleading practices, unfortunately, can be found even in the solar industry. Shady practices are easy to identify because they are usually characterized by outrageous claims. For example, if a potential solar installer says that you can get solar panels for free or that you can break even in a short period of time (2 or 3 years), that’s a big red flag.

So, beware of solar companies that are:

• Claiming to offer “free panels”
• Hesitant to explain how much installation typically costs you in terms of installed dollars per watt
• Using high-pressure sales tactics
• Push you into one kind of financing 
• Not clear and transparent about warranties and guarantees

Solar panel installation is not a product you can buy quickly online, however requesting free online quotes is a great way to initially compare prices and solar panel installers. Apart from that, you can learn about each company’s customer service by seeing how responsive they are to your inquiries.

To learn more about the best options in your area, you can use our free solar quote tool, and receive multiple quotes from our pre-screened solar installers.

Choosing the right solar installer is the most important step in going solar. A good solar company will make an installation process run smoothly by offering the right equipment, financial methods to additional services that will match your needs. Last but not least, the right solar installer will be transparent about warranties and guarantees, work practices and products they use in their installation process. 

Ready to See How Much You Can Save with Solar?

Interested in getting exact prices for the cost solar for your home? Get competitive solar quotes from qualified, trusted installers in your area. To see an estimate for how much you could expect to save and how much a solar system would cost, try our solar calculator.