You’ve done the research, you’ve checked the price, you understand the concepts. Now you just want to know how you can get the most bang for your buck for a local solar panel installation. Here are 5 key factors to look for.
Installation Quality
There is an easy way to install solar panels on your roof and there is a right way to install solar panels. You want to make sure your local solar panel installation company does things the right way.
Some key questions you should ask your consultant are:
What type of flashing do you use? What kind of bracket system?
Will there be conduit showing on the roof or will it be run through the attic?
Will you be handling the licensing with the city and HOA or will I have to do it myself?
How soon will you be able to start the local solar panel installation after licensing goes through?
How much experience does the install team have?
Do you have pictures of past customers’ panels?
Do you have reviews?
If a company offers good workmanship they will likely be eager to prove it.
Types of Panels and Inverters
Be sure to take note of what panels you’re being quoted for. Some panels are more efficient than others but the most efficient panel isn’t always what’s best financially. If you are more concerned with aesthetics of the panels, Black on black style panels look brilliant and sleek. If you could care less about aesthetics and just want the best bang for your buck, tell your consultant that and they can offer you their best value panel.
For inverters, you’ll either use a string inverter or microinverters. String inverters are generally used on farms, business, or commercial use. For the customization of a specific home’s roof, micro-inverters are generally your best bet. The main difference is that you only use 1 string inverter about the size of a minifridge, versus a micro-inverter placed on the back of each panel. The micro-inverter will have several advantages for your local solar panel installation. It allows each panel to generate energy independent from the rest of the system, whereas on a string inverter, if one area is shaded, the whole system acts as if it were shaded. Ask your consultant what type of micro-inverter they plan to use.
When comparing panels and inverters, price and performance isn’t the only factor you should weigh. I would also recommend considering the differences between the warranties for the tech for your local solar panel installation.
Energy Coverage
When comparing quotes for your local solar panel installation, It is important to check to see what percent coverage they are quoting you for. One company may propose 105% to make sure you’re covered for years to come, while another could propose 70% while only utilizing the best areas on the roof to get the most bang for your buck. Neither one is better than the other but both have their place and it is generally by the homeowners preference. One way to play it safe is to install panels on the best areas first, and once you start to see savings, you can always get more panels installed later.
Customer service
This goes without being said but obviously you want to make sure the company handling your local solar panel installation can respond to questions, comments, concerns in a timely manner. You want to make sure you’re doing business with someone that will make you a priority. That way if there are any issues down the road, you can solve them quickly and effortlessly. No one wants to be put on hold for hours or wait for weeks for a response.
Price
You could receive quotes from two local solar panel installation companies and while they could be thousands of dollars apart, one deal might not be better than the other. There are so many factors when pricing a solar panel installation. Here are a few.
- Type of panel/inverter
- Total system size
- Attic runs/trenching
- Backup battery included
- Type of roof material
- Administrative costs
- Reroof included
- Electric box replacements
- Tree trimming
In the end, Price isn’t the most important factor for your local solar panel installation. It’s value. Carefully consider all of your options and give your business to someone you can trust.