When Choosing a Solar Installer, It Pays to Do Your Homework

When Selecting a Solar Installation Company, It Pays to Do Your Homework

Once you’ve decided to explore making the smart switch to solar, questions arise around the process of choosing a solar installation company. How do I find one? How do I select the right one? What is their reputation? Are the prices competitive? What does the whole process entail?

Fortunately, there are credible resources available to help homeowners get educated, evaluate options, and make informed decisions. The resources below are a great place to start your solar research journey. 

Solar Energy Industries Association

SEIA’s website contains a Solar Customer Resource Portal with downloadable guides. These valuable resources include information about options for going solar, what to look for in an offer, the right questions to ask a solar company, homeowner rights, and more.

The downloadable guide Consumer Guide to Solar goes over the basics of solar energy and energy storage but also covers topics such as the federal tax credit and understanding the manufacturer warranty of purchased panels.

SEIA’s Solar Customer Resource Portal also lists Solar Reviews as a great resource for finding customer reviews of installation companies by state or region. Reading customer reviews and testimonials can help you get a better picture of what to expect.

Department of Energy

The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has a  Step-by-Step Guide for homeowners looking to go solar. This guide includes best practices such as conducting a home energy audit, understanding financing options, and researching solar installers. It highlights the importance of owning a system, which allows you to be eligible for tax credits.

A Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics provides tax credit eligibility requirements, other incentives available, and how to claim the federal tax credit.

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

NABCEP has a website for homeowners to find the best solar companies. NABCEP claims to be “the most respected, well-established, and widely recognized certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy.” This website includes two directories to find accredited installers and outlines the general process of switching to solar, key questions to ask installers, and how to do your homework.

Another valuable resource available is community members who have worked with installation companies in your area. Friends and family members will most likely be willing to honestly share their experience and factors they wish they had known going into the process. 

You should also check your state professional licensing office for requirements and guidance and to confirm that the solar installation company you are considering is properly certified and/or licensed to perform the work.  

With all this information available, homeowners can go solar with confidence!