How to Pick the Best Solar Company for Your Home
Logan Vierstra • February 1, 2024
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Picking the right company for your solar power project may seem like a daunting task!
But fear not, you're here... on our website, and that puts you practically all the way to making a great decision on your solar. The thing is, here at Renewable Solutions, we aren't fearful of you checking out other companies in the area. In fact, we encourage you to take your time, look around and see how you feel about the interactions you are getting with the other companies. So we wrote this little piece for your knowledge on how to do your homework while still in the decision phase. Enjoy!
Read Time: 6 minutes
By Logan Vierstra
Table of Contents
The Best Qualities To Look For In A Solar Company
- Experience and expertise: You want a solar company that has been in the industry for a long time and has a proven track record of successful installations. You also want a solar company that has the necessary licenses, certifications, and insurance to operate in your state and local area. It's always ok to ask for references and portfolio examples as well.
- Quality and warranty: You want a solar company that uses high-quality and durable solar equipment from reputable manufacturers. You also want a solar company that offers a comprehensive and long-term warranty on the solar panels, inverters, batteries, and other components, as well as the installation and workmanship. A good warranty should cover at least 25 years for the solar panels and 10 years for the other parts.
- Service and support: You want a solar company that provides excellent customer service and support throughout the entire solar process, from the initial consultation to the final inspection and beyond. You also want a solar company that offers free energy audits, site surveys, design, engineering, permitting, financing, installation, monitoring, and maintenance. You should be able to contact the company easily and get prompt and professional responses to your questions and concerns.
- Financing and incentives: You want a solar company that offers flexible and affordable financing options that suit your budget and preferences. You also want a solar company that helps you take advantage of various incentives and rebates that can reduce the cost of your solar system. These may include federal, state, and local tax credits, grants, loans, net metering, and other programs. It’s important to work with a company who is familiar with these programs and all the red tape involved in getting through them. At Renewable Solutions we are well versed in all aspects of solar, and we commit to every homeowner to be the most knowledgeable, professional, and transparent in the solar industry. We also commit to every homeowner to provide the best possible value for their solar options.
How to Compare Solar Quotes and Prices
One of the ways our company sets ourselves apart from the rest is by recommending you get at least three quotes from different solar companies and compare them carefully. We don’t want you to believe what we tell you, we want to let you see our commitments come true for themselves. Here are some tips on how to compare solar quotes and prices:
- Compare apples to apples: Make sure that the quotes are based on the same system size, type, and specifications. For example, if one quote is for a 5-kilowatt (kW) grid-tied system with monocrystalline panels and microinverters, and another quote is for a 4-kW off-grid system with polycrystalline panels and a central inverter, they are not comparable.
- A reputable solar company won’t only take into account your current usage, but also your future usage. Do you plan to add an electric vehicle in the future? What about a hot tub? Would you like to use your air conditioning more than you do now? Then we’re going to want to plan for that. They will also be transparent about their shade analysis and production loss due to directional orientation These are all things that need to be taken into account, and can easily be misleading when properly sizing a solar system. Which is why at Renewable Solutions we aim to be the most transparent. We will actually open up our software and show you the homeowner, how and why we get to the system that we recommend to you.
- Compare the total cost and the cost per watt: The total cost is the amount that you will pay upfront or over time for your solar system, including the equipment, installation, permits, taxes, and fees. The cost per watt is the total cost divided by the system size in watts. This is a useful metric to measure the value and efficiency of your solar system. For example, if the total cost is $20,000 and the system size is 5 kW, the cost per watt is $4.
- Compare the savings and the payback period: The savings are the amount that you will save on your electric bills over the lifetime of your solar system, compared to what you would pay without solar. It is not uncommon for homeowners to save more than 6 figures by going solar. The payback period is the time it takes for your savings to equal your total cost. This is a useful metric to measure the return on investment and profitability of your solar system. For example, if the total cost is $20,000 and the annual savings are $2,000, the payback period is 10 years. The average payback period for residential solar in the U.S. is around 8 years.
How to Avoid Solar Scams and Pitfalls
When choosing a solar company, you should also be aware of some common solar scams and pitfalls that can cost you money and trouble. Here are some tips on how to avoid solar scams and pitfalls:
- Avoid high-pressure sales tactics: Some solar companies may use aggressive and deceptive sales tactics to pressure you into signing a contract or making a deposit. They may offer you unrealistic or misleading promises, such as free solar panels, guaranteed savings, limited-time offers, or government subsidies. They may also try to rush you or prevent you from comparing other options. You should always take your time and do your research before making any decisions. You should also know your rights and obligations as a consumer and a solar customer. Last but not least of the 3 commitments we make to every homeowner is that our first visit with you is not a sales call. We won’t even ask for your business. We aim to provide you and your loved ones an opportunity to sit with an industry professional in a no cost, no pressure, no obligation environment. This way you’ll be able to get all the information surrounding the programs and incentives you need in order to make an educated decision without the pressure.
- Avoid subpar or outdated equipment: Some solar companies may try to sell you subpar or outdated equipment that is low-quality, inefficient, or incompatible with your system. They may also try to charge you extra for features or services that are standard or unnecessary. You should always check the specifications and warranty of the solar equipment that you are buying or leasing. You should also compare the prices and performance of different brands and models of solar equipment.
- Avoid shady or unlicensed installers: Some solar companies may hire shady or unlicensed installers who are unqualified, inexperienced, or unprofessional. They may also subcontract the installation to third-party contractors who are not affiliated or accountable to the solar company. This can result in poor workmanship, faulty wiring, roof damage, code violations, safety hazards, or warranty issues. You should always check the credentials and references of the solar installers that you are hiring. You should also supervise the installation and inspect the final product.
Summing It All Up
Choosing a solar company is an important and personal decision that requires careful consideration and research. By following the tips and advice in this blog post, you can see for yourself our commitment to be the most knowledgeable, professional, and transparent in the industry, and to provide you with the best possible value, without the sales pressure, come true. You can also enjoy the benefits of solar energy for your home and the environment.
If you are ready to go solar, you can start by getting a free quote from us by clicking this link. We will help you find the best solar system for your home, and guide you through the installation process. You can also take advantage of various incentives and financing options that make solar more affordable and accessible than ever. Don't wait any longer, go solar today and enjoy the benefits of solar energy for years to come!
The Good Earthling
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The power of the sun! Read Time: 4 min Contents: Rates are going up What you can do about it Take Action
The Inflation Reduction Act has offered up more incentives for those considering solar in 2024 and beyond.
With PG&E proposing 22% rate increases, now is a great time to start looking at options to go solar.
There is a limited funding amount available for qualified homeowners wanting to take advantage of installing solar battery technology in their homes!
NEM 3.0: A New Era for Solar in California Net energy metering (NEM) is a policy that allows solar customers to offset their electricity bills by sending excess solar power back to the grid. NEM has been a major driver of solar adoption in California, and it has helped to make the state a leader in clean energy. In December 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved NEM 3.0, a new version of the NEM program. NEM 3.0 makes some significant changes to the way that solar customers are compensated for their excess energy, and it is expected to have a major impact on the solar industry in California. What is NEM 3.0? NEM 3.0 is based on a concept called "avoided cost," which means that solar customers are compensated for the amount of energy that they save the utility. This is in contrast to NEM 2.0, which was based on a concept called "retail rate," which meant that solar customers were compensated for the amount of energy that they exported to the grid at the same rate that they paid for electricity. The avoided cost rate is lower than the retail rate, which means that solar customers will receive less compensation for their excess energy under NEM 3.0. However, NEM 3.0 also includes a number of new benefits for solar customers, such as: A 20-year grandfathering period for customers who install solar before April 15, 2023. This means that these customers will be able to keep their NEM 2.0 rates for 20 years, even after NEM 3.0 goes into effect. A new demand charge credit for solar customers with battery storage. This credit will help to offset the cost of the demand charge, which is a fee that utilities charge customers based on their peak electricity usage. A new program called the Solar Self-Generation Incentive Program (SSIG). This program will provide financial assistance to low-income customers who install solar. How will NEM 3.0 affect solar adoption in California? The impact of NEM 3.0 on solar adoption in California is still uncertain. Some experts believe that the lower compensation rates under NEM 3.0 will discourage some people from installing solar, while others believe that the new benefits under NEM 3.0, such as the 20-year grandfathering period and the demand charge credit, will offset the lower compensation rates. It is also important to note that NEM 3.0 is only one factor that will affect solar adoption in California. Other factors, such as the cost of solar panels and the availability of financing, will also play a role. Overall, NEM 3.0 is a significant change to the NEM program in California. It is too early to say what the long-term impact of NEM 3.0 will be, but it is clear that it will have a major impact on the solar industry in the state.
What Can Solar Batteries Do? Solar batteries are a relatively new technology, but they are quickly becoming more popular as people look for ways to reduce their reliance on the grid and save money on their energy bills. Solar batteries can do a lot of things, but here are some of the most common: Store excess solar energy. Solar panels produce electricity during the day, but most people use more electricity at night. Solar batteries can store excess solar energy during the day and then use it to power your home at night. This can help you reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your energy bills. Provide backup power during outages. If there is a power outage, your solar panels will stop producing electricity. However, if you have a solar battery, you can still power your home from the stored energy. This can be a lifesaver during a power outage, especially if you have medical devices or other essential appliances that need electricity. Increase your self-consumption. Self-consumption is the amount of electricity that you generate from your solar panels and use in your home. Solar batteries can help you increase your self-consumption by storing excess solar energy during the day and using it at night. This can help you reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your energy bills. Earn money from the grid. In some states, you can earn money by selling excess solar energy back to the grid. Solar batteries can help you maximize your earnings by storing excess solar energy during the day and then selling it back to the grid at night.
Purchasing Solar Energy for Your Home Should be a Long Term Investment Solar panels are a great way to generate clean, renewable energy for your home or business. But how long should you expect a solar system to work? The lifespan of a solar system depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the solar panels, the climate you live in, and how well you maintain your system. However, most solar panels are expected to last for 25-30 years. In the first few years of operation, solar panels will produce the most electricity. The amount of electricity they produce will then decline gradually over time. After 25-30 years, solar panels will still produce some electricity, but they may not be able to meet all of your energy needs. There are a few things you can do to extend the lifespan of your solar system: Choose high-quality solar panels. There is a wide range of quality in solar panels. It is important to choose panels from a reputable manufacturer with a good warranty. Install your solar system properly. A well-installed solar system will be more likely to last for the long term. Maintain your solar system regularly. This includes cleaning the solar panels and inspecting the system for any damage. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your solar system will work for many years to come. Here are some additional factors that can affect the lifespan of a solar system: Weather conditions. Solar panels can be damaged by extreme weather conditions, such as hail, snow, and high winds. If you live in an area with harsh weather, it is important to choose solar panels that are designed for your climate. Solar irradiance. The amount of sunlight that your solar panels receive will affect their output. If you live in an area with low solar irradiance, your solar panels may not produce as much electricity as they would in an area with high solar irradiance. Shading. Solar panels that are shaded will produce less electricity than solar panels that are in full sunlight. If your solar panels are shaded by trees or buildings, you may need to trim the trees or install shades to improve their output. Overall, solar panels are a long-lasting investment that can save you money on your energy bills for many years to come. By choosing high-quality solar panels, installing them properly, and maintaining them regularly, you can help to ensure that your solar system will work for many years to come.
