As in other sectors, many companies compete in the solar market. It’s essential to learn about the solar companies involved in your installation to make an informed decision.
Homeowners usually talk to three types of businesses when investigating solar energy options: solar finance companies, solar equipment manufacturers, and solar installers.
Choose a solar finance company based on whether you want a secured or unsecured loan. Large-scale national solar installations are a significant sales channel for several solar lenders. At the same time, others provide rental or PPA options (PPAs). Make sure you can readily get in touch with references.
Equipment manufacturers for the solar industry make the physical parts of a solar panel system. However, you’ll need to work with a local installer to buy and set up your system.
In addition to solar panels, a complete solar energy system also requires inverters, racking, wiring, and sometimes even a monitoring system. The same manufacturer may be responsible for all these components, but often they’re specialized for use with only one solar technology.
Microinverter and string inverters with power optimizer makers are two examples of specialized inverter niches. In contrast to the widespread use of solar panels, the number of solar inverter manufacturers is modest. A solar panel’s quality might vary depending on its price, how effectively the equipment functions, and the number of supplementary features it has.
The solar installer will likely be the primary person to talk to during the installation process.
Companies specializing in solar panel installation typically purchase solar panels and associated hardware from manufacturers. They then have the hired independent contractors carry out the installation per their instructions. In most cases, the documentation required to activate your solar system will be handled by the company installing your panels.
Think carefully about the availability, duration, and coverage of a solar installer’s quality warranty, and check for licenses and certificates, as well as years of expertise and customer reviews. Both solar equipment manufacturers and installation businesses offer warranty protection.
When it was created in 2015, Sun Services USA (then known as AZ Sun Services) aimed to provide consumers with high-quality solar solutions, services, and financing. They believe that the value they can provide to their clients is virtually limitless.
It’s easy to become lost in the complexities of solar energy, utility programs, tax credits, and zero-down financing. If you need assistance navigating all of this information and deciding whether solar is right for you, Sun Services USA is here to help. Indeed, if that’s the case, they’d be pleased to supply it.
If it does not, they will be forthright about why. Their knowledgeable consultants will explain and show you how Sun Services USA might reduce your electricity bill by as much as three-quarters compared to using power from the local utility company.
Sun Services USA offers its customers a free, no-strings-attached $495 solar study, complete with a review of utility cost-cutting strategies and thorough explanations for any remaining questions.
Choose the Right Solar Company
1. Verify Their Reliability before Working with Them
The first step is ensuring that the organization you want to work with is trustworthy and gets satisfactory results. You can glean a company’s work and character from a quick Google search.
Online, there are a lot of reviews and comments from customers about their experiences with different solar energy providers. Customer feedback is a beautiful way to get an idea of how reliable and trustworthy a business is.
Ask for references and samples of their work to build trust. Look elsewhere if they can’t show you examples of their previous work or provide references.
2. Request Certifications
Also, it’s essential to know that all solar installers must now be licensed by law. While some may be, others are not. Before hiring a solar energy business, please research to be sure they are legit and can deliver on their promises.
Also, if you live in a place where licenses are required by law, you should ask them what they think about licenses in general. Companies that sell solar energy systems should give you this and any other licensing information you need as soon as possible.
3. Get Several Offers
The internet has made it much more uncomplicated to get bids from many parties. A new solar company is opening every few months, so it’s essential to shop around and receive quotes from at least three businesses.
Get multiple bids and ensure they are all close in price, features, and other aspects so you can choose based on quality alone. If one bid is lower in price but doesn’t provide as many panels or batteries as another, choose the higher-quality system. Compared to a cheaper, lower-quality system that could be more efficient, it will be more expensive upfront but save you money in the long term.
4. Learn the Basics of Solar Energy
The two main categories are photovoltaic (PV) and thermal (T) solar technologies. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels take in sunlight and use a chemical process to turn it into electricity. Although T solar panels function uniquely, they can still provide you with a steady supply of electricity for your home or business.
Other common types of energy storage include lithium-ion (Li) batteries and deep-cycle batteries. Due to their high energy density, lithium-ion batteries are ideal for devices like mobile phones and electric cars that require a tremendous deal of power in a very tiny container. These batteries are bigger and more potent than Li-ion ones but also heavier and thicker. Even after extended use, their ability to store energy remains unchanged.
When considering a solar energy system, you may be asked what kind of battery you’d like to use. If that’s the case, you need to learn about the many options and choose the one that makes the most sense.
5. Beware of Hidden Fees
Some solar power installations need you to sign up for a maintenance and monitoring plan to receive the system. These are often prohibitively expensive choices that you should avoid at all costs. It is crucial to determine whether there are any restrictions, even if the specifics will change depending on the solar panels and batteries you choose.
Some solar panels, for instance, need to be exposed to sunlight for a minimum amount of time every day, and you must fully charge Li batteries before you can use them. You must be aware of this in advance to prepare for your home to be occupied.
6. Be Clear About Your Needs and Preferences
You should also explain what you expect and require from a solar energy service provider. Which would you prefer, a fixed-rate contract or a pay-as-you-go electricity service? How often would you like to pay? Can we set up a monthly, quarterly, or yearly payment plan? Is it the length of the contract that bothers you?
Ask any prospective solar firm you’re thinking about working with about these things and more during your initial conversation. When installing your system, be clear about what you want and how you want it to function.
7. Be Aware of Company Policies
Before you make any financial obligations for installing solar panels, you should review your credit report. This could be an issue if you plan to increase your credit score by adding solar panels. Before signing on the dotted line, learning everything you can about the company’s rules is essential.
What do you think about the company’s cancellation policy if you purchase a solar energy system? If you decide to quit using it, will you get a refund, or will you still be responsible for the remaining balance?
8. Be Realistic About Your Energy Consumption
A solar power system’s daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) output is a number that can be measured and given by the manufacturer. But they can’t tell you how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you’ll need daily because that number is unique to your energy consumption patterns. It all comes down to the caliber of the people you’re working with and the guarantees they can provide.
Your solar panel installation firm should take great pains to explain the ins and outs of your setup and what to expect from it. You should be able to access any material at any time. They also need to give you documents that are thorough enough that customers who are unfamiliar with solar energy will be able to follow along.
Your level of trust in a firm is the best indicator of whether it is a good fit for installing a solar power system in your home. If you follow the above steps, you should be able to find a solar energy company that meets all your needs.
If you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact our team.
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