Not all solar installation companies are the same. Some solar installers are big, national companies, while others are local or regional. Some companies offer outright purchases and loans, while others will push for a solar lease or solar PPA. Some will have higher prices while some will have lower prices. Some have been around for a long time, and other companies are newer. Not all these variables are necessarily good or bad, but it’s important to consider the differences in the value propositions you see when comparing solar installers near you.
An important place to start is an internal analysis of exactly what you want out of the solar installation. Some people want to save the most money possible in terms of monthly cash flow, and others see the benefit in the long term return on investment. Some want a tax credit, others don’t qualify for it. Many homeowners will want energy independence, and some just want to do something good for the environment. Everyone is different, but as a starting point, it’s important to first figure out what it is that you want out of the solar installation before finding out what a solar company can offer you.
Have an idea of what you want first
Here are some questions to ask yourself before selecting your preferred solar installer near you:
What size solar installation do you need?
When starting the conversation with a prospective solar installer, one of the first things they will ask you is what your annual usage is and a copy of your most recent utility bill. What they will be looking at is the annual kWh demand of the home. This way they can fit your home with the correct sized system for optimal offset. To skip ahead, check your usage online. Some utilities will have your annual usage on the bill itself. For other utilities, you may need to download the spreadsheet and get the sum throughout the calendar year.
How do you plan on paying for the solar installation?
An important question to consider when exploring solar for your home is how exactly you plan to pay for the solar installation. We have all heard of “free” solar, but of course nothing is free in this world. Free solar just means not paying for the installation but instead paying monthly for the system. The available purchasing options for solar include outright purchases, solar loans, solar leases, and solar PPAs. A solar purchase is possible with most solar companies but not all financing options are. Be sure to ask the question on your initial inquiry of the available solar purchasing options with the company. If you are not sure you should be guided honestly towards a beneficial solution for your home. Before you start this process at all, you will want to be sure your credit score is over a 660 FICO to be able to qualify for most solar programs in the first place.
How old is your roof?
Most solar equipment these days will last for at least 25-years, so it’s important that the roof is in great condition from the start. When a roof is older than 15-years old, most honest solar companies will recommend reroofing. It may be beneficial to consider a company with roofing experience so you can take care of both the roof and solar services at one time. Having your solar installer provide roofing services can mean more competitive pricing as well as their vested interest in a quality solar installation that maintains the integrity of the roof and honors warranties.
Roof mounted installation or a ground mounted solar installation?
Not all solar companies near you will offer ground mounted solar installations in addition to roof mounted installations. If your site is not conducive for a roof mounted installation, and there is adequate yard space, a ground mount can be a great option for homeowners looking to switch to solar. Ground mounts require additional equipment and additional site work and sometimes additional approvals. If you need a ground mount, consider companies that have a track record for this type of installation.
Do you need battery storage?
Battery storage provides back up power to a home in the event of a grid outage. Some homeowners may already have a propane or gas generator that suits them well. Others would benefit to explore their options when it comes to battery storage especially when coupled with a solar panel installation. When battery storage is installed with solar panels, the panels serve as the fuel source for the “generator” and can recharge to batteries indefinitely. They are even cost comparable to conventional gas generators when considering the 30% solar tax credit (ITC).
Why do you want to install solar panels?
What is your motivation as a homeowner for installing solar panels? Are you motivated by saving money only? Do you like quality products? Have a clear idea of what it is you want out of the solar installation and it will make the process far easier. Think of getting solar like ordering at Chipotle. You get to the counter and specify the order all the way through to the end. You have an idea of what you want and get help filling the order along with the way. Guacamole is extra.
Don’t know your answers?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions – you’re in luck! Thankfully, you can get a head start on the process online easily. Just enter your address and average monthly electric spend and you can get an idea of how many panels you need. By utilizing software from Google ProjectSunroof, our tool can accurately estimate your project along with incentives, rebates, and available financing options. Try our free solar estimator.
Considerations when selecting the best solar installer near you:
Solar modules
Solar equipment is one of the most important considerations when selecting a solar installer. And although most solar modules will produce energy the day they are installed, how they perform overtime and their warranties can vary. For example, compare a Panasonic Evervolt solar module to a LONGI solar module.
| Panasonic | Longi | |
| Solar module | 420HK2 | 400LRS-54HPB |
| Module efficiency | 21.7% | 20.5% |
| Annual degradation | .25% | 2% (First year) |
| Power output year 25 | 92% | 84.8% |
| Materials warranty | 25-year | 12-year |
| Production warranty | 25-year | 25-year |
| Labor warranty | 25-year | 0 |
| System warranty | 25- Year racking and inverters | None |
You can see clearly that out of the box, they are both nice power producers. However, for long term value, Panasonic is the winner. Not only do they offer a 25-year guarantee from a company in business since 1918, the guarantee is for a more powerful product down the road and the inverters and racking are included in the warranty. Contact Public Service Solar for more information on Panasonic Evervolt solar modules.
Solar inverters
Another important product to consider are solar inverters. The inverter is the device or devices that convert the DC power produced by the solar panels to the AC power used in the home. Microinverters from Enphase can be slightly more expensive initially, but their ability to operate each solar module individually, eliminating a single failure point and optimizing efficiency is unparalleled. Enphase microinverters also include a 25-year warranty. Other products on the market these days include String Inverters and String Inverters with Power Optimizers from SolarEdge. Public Service Solar exclusively installs Enphase microinverters for our customers and are proud to be an Enphase Platinum installer.
Warranties
A solar installation is only as good as the company installing it and their warranty. A key thing to look for in a solar warranty is the product and performance warranty on the solar equipment. It is best to go for a solar panel that has a 25-year product and performance warranty. For example, Panasonic EVERVOLT solar panels have a 25-year product, performance, and labor warranty. This means you are covered for everything that can go wrong with the solar panel plus the cost of labor for replacement is covered. For Certified Panasonic Installers, their solar installations come with the AllGuard Warranty which covers the solar panels, inverters, and racking for 25-years. The best part is even if the company who is installing your system were to ever go out of business, you are backed by Panasonic who has been in business since 1918. Try to look for warranties that give you peace of mind from both the installer and the equipment they are using. Public Service Solar goes a step further with our lifetime workmanship warranty, giving you further protection.
Reviews
You can tell a lot about a company by looking at their reviews. There are plenty of listing platforms for contractor reviews and even industry specific rating platforms. The king of them all is a company’s google reviews. Like anything you might buy online, these days we flock to customer reviews. You will want to look for a company that has a solid rating and at least enough reviews to cover a solid test group. Some companies will go a step further and have their own customer stories to review on their website. Customer stories can be beneficial in analyzing the before and after statistics of the solar installation as well as the confirmation of a successful track record.
Pricing
Solar pricing can vary widely depending on the solar installer. Although it is important to get a good deal, sometimes it is really the best value you should be shopping for. Prices for solar can go as low as $2.00/watt all the way up to $4.00/watt. The instinct may be to go for the lowest price, but oftentimes the lowest price is the lowest price for a reason. In other words, you get what you pay for. The biggest difference in pricing is usually based on the solar equipment used and the warranty offered. You will pay more for better equipment and better warranties just like you would anything else you purchase for your home.
Financing
With most solar leases and PPAs the tax credit is not included for the customers. For some people without tax liability, this may be what they want, however most homeowners will benefit from the tax credit so they should be aware they could be leaving the solar incentives on the table. Some companies may only offer PPAs and leases, some may only offer loans for financing, and some will offer both.
Additional home services
These days, most solar companies will offer battery storage along with their solar installations. Consider what services you desire and whether or not the solar installer offers them and does them well. Be sure to steer clear of extra adders the solar company may include but may not be experienced with. Some common home services offered by solar companies to consider include:
Battery Storage – Battery storage is a common adder. Frequent brands offered are Panasonic, Tesla, Enphase, and Franklin.
EV Charger– This is usually an easy hook up which can be done onsite during the installation. Many homeowners today will even add an EV charger to their solar installation to plan for a future EV purchase.
Roofing – As mentioned previously, some solar installers are also roofers. If your potential solar installer offers roofing services, be sure the solar installer has a reputation and track record as a roofer.
HVAC – A growing service for solar installers has been HVAC services. In fact, according to the US Energy Administration, more than half of household energy consumption comes from heating and cooling the home. So it makes sense for solar installers to have an interest in offering services that reduce the energy consumption of the home.
Priceless differentiators
Installing solar and managing a solar customer’s journey is a craft that can take years to master. A good installer should have a few tricks up their sleeve that when done correctly, can save a lot of headaches down the road.
Wire guards – Also known as critter or pest guards, can go a long way. It’s more common than most people think for animals to make their home under your cozy solar panels – while damaging your roof and wires! Your system will have warranty protection on panels, inverter, and racking – but what about the wires underneath the panels that keep the whole system running? You are going to want wire guards for that.
Conduit runs – Be sure to ask your installing how they plan to run the conduit. Although your solar installation should pass its township inspection either way, a sleek solar installation comes with conduit runs neatly tucked through the roof.
In house crews or subcontractors – To ensure the quality control of your installation it is often best to have one company in control of the job from the start to finish. Sometimes, you will initially talk to a solar sales organization which will subcontract the installation to a solar installer. It is best to ask if the installer has their own crews or subcontracts their work.
Service support – Sometimes the price you pay goes beyond the equipment used and includes additional services like complimentary SREC account set up. Some companies will even monitor the system on your behalf so they are the ones to alert you to a potential issue before you even know about it. Look also for their commitment to their service department as to whether they have staff ready to respond to any issues and how quickly they can get out to your home to support the system. Solar service technicians are a valuable piece of any solar company and local or regional installers oftentimes have a better response rate to equipment servicing.
Conclusion
Before you start the process, understanding some of the basics from this article will help you. Knowledge of your energy usage will be the first thing the installer will look at so be sure to have a recent bill handy or at least access to your online payment portal to start the process. Solar installers have different product offerings, warranties, financing options, and pricing. We recommend considering a more local or regional installer for their ability to honor warranties. We also recommend reading reviews and paying attention to products and warranties. Do not sign up with a solar installer if you don’t understand the agreement or feel pressured. Solar has many benefits and will last for 25 + years, so taking the time to understand the advantages and disadvantages of your potential solar installer can go a long way. If you are in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Florida, consider getting a free estimate from Public Service Solar and get your solar journey started!
