Here Are A Few Tips For Finding The Best Solar Installers Near You

According to the Center for Sustainable Energy, “The cost of a solar electric system is measured in dollars per watt. The average cost for a residential system is currently  $3 to $5 per watt.  That means the average 5-kW residential system will cost  $15,000 to $25,000,  prior to tax credits or incentives.”

Federal solar tax credits and other available incentives offer significant value. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics, “a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe. For example, claiming a $1,000 federal tax credit reduces your federal income taxes due by $1,000…The federal residential solar energy credit can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system must be placed in service during the tax year and generate electricity for a home located in the United States.”

Browse sites like EcoWatch that explain solar financing and net metering options, which can be connected to the utility company in your area. Of course, a great installer should be able to share these tips and tricks, but it is best to come armed with education before expecting a vendor to disclose this kind of info. These incentive programs can affect how you finance the installation.

You can pay in cash, in installments, take out a loan or lease the solar panels. Each requires a different financial investment and has different tax consequences. Decide which method is best for you, because you’ll need to explain your preferences to the installer to confirm that they’ll agree to your terms. Not every installer accepts all payment methods. After becoming well versed in the costs and credits, then it is time to shop around for installers with competitive prices and top notch services.

According to Joshua M. Pearce, Ph.D., the John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation at Western University in Ontario, Canada, “you should try to get three solar installers to give you quotes and, all things equal, choose the lowest $/W (cost per unit power)… get a free quote with some basic life cycle modeling. You can get a quick idea if they are legitimate if their estimates are in line with NREL’s free calculator.” Put in your address and then trace the estimated area to be covered with solar. This can help you estimate expected solar electricity generation.

If the initial quotes come back too high, Pearce advises a touch of DIY spirit. He says you can cut the cost of a solar energy system by more than half if you’re willing to do some of the work on your own. He and Lonny Grafman, an Instructor of Environmental Resources Engineering and Technology at Humboldt State University, wrote a free e-book entitled To Catch the Sun that offers all the necessary steps to get started.

You might be thinking, “Can I really install my own solar panels?” The short answer is “yes.” The long answer is “it depends.” There are many pros and cons to setting up a DIY system. While the pros usually center on short-term savings, the cons revolve around long-term limitations. Most DIY solar panels can not be hooked up to the traditional electrical grid and, thus, aren’t eligible for some of the tax breaks and energy credits available for certified installations.

Also, if you’d like to fully replace your home’s entire electric system with a solar system, you’ll need electrical experience to do so. If the thought of manual or skilled labor sounds beyond your depth, then hire a certified service that can get the job done right the first time.

Online review sites, like Yelp! and Solar Reviews, can help you find providers in your zip code and neighborhood. Once you narrow down a few, be sure to use those same sites to read a healthy number of customer reviews. Gain insight into each company’s customer service quality and credibility. These buying stories are important. They provide social proof and highlight red flags.

Skip the star ratings without narratives. Instead, read the text to gauge the ease of installation, financing experiences, refund policies, and warranties. Don’t dismiss a pattern of customer complaints and look for the company’s response. If there’s a rude reply or, worse yet, none at all, buyers should beware.

“When deciding between vendors, ask them to provide a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certificate. NABCEP is the best national standard certification program, and any vendor possessing this accreditation is undoubtedly an expert in the field.” says Alan Duncan, CEO & Founder of the Solar Panels Network. There are many unauthorized installers on the grid who fleece unsuspecting customers and provide faulty service in return.
Check for valid certifications to build trust.

Also confirm that installers have any necessary electrical or roofing licenses that might be needed for the type of work your home requires.

Have your final two or three vendor choices take an in-person tour of your home to offer a comprehensive quote and to survey the size and scale of your space. The winner of the competition should be the one who offers additional services that are required to complete the work. These full-service installers cover energy monitoring, roof repair, tree removal and installation of solar batteries, which might be required for solar installation in your home.

If you don’t ask about these ancillary services, you might find yourself locked into a contract with an installer who won’t start until you hire a number of other vendors. That means a longer wait for you. For the value, you may be better off bundling these services with a credible and reputable installer with many years of experience under their belt.