Did you know that the world is now home to solar panel installations with a total capacity of 773.2 gigawatts (GW)? What’s more, experts forecast the global solar industry to add 163 GW more by the end of 2021.
If that projection comes to pass, we’ll be looking at 936.2 GW of solar capacity by the end of this year. That’ll be enough to power over 700 million homes, seeing as 1 GW can energize 750,000 homes.
The good news is that, with the help of the best solar company, your home can be one of those powered by the sun for many years.
The question now is, how exactly do you choose the best solar installation company?
We’ll give you all the answers you need to know below, so be sure to read on.
Confirm Appropriate Certifications and Licenses
Solar certifications are programs that test solar installers for their skills and knowledge. Therefore, certification is a reliable indication of an installer’s capabilities.
Moreover, there are several prerequisites to obtaining solar certification. For example, applicants must first meet a specific amount of solar job experience. They must also take and pass a rigorous exam before getting certified.
In North America, NABCEP is one organization that certifies solar professionals. It stands for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. So, if you’re in Canada or the US, be sure to choose a NABCEP-certified solar installer.
Don’t forget to verify the validity of a solar company’s license, too. That’s especially true if you live in one of the 12 US states mandating solar contractor licenses.
Go With a Full-Service Solar Installation Company
The entire process of installing a residential solar panel system can take one to two months. However, it may take longer if you end up contracting with several companies.
The latter can happen if your chosen solar installer sub-contracts some parts of the job. The same goes if they only specialize in certain aspects of the installation.
For instance, let’s say you scheduled solar installers for an initial assessment. During the evaluation, though, the experts discovered that your roof isn’t stable enough. In that case, they’d likely recommend getting it fixed before the panel installation.
Unless you go with a full-service company, though, you’d need to hire a different contractor.
On the other hand, a full-service solar company can help you get those roof repairs done. That’s because they often have roof specialists working for or with them. So, you don’t have to look for another company for the roof repairs, as they can carry out the work for you.
In addition, full-service solar installers also take responsibility for obtaining permits. Those include permits for roof repairs, solar installation, and electrical hook-up.
All that, in turn, can help speed up the solar installation process.
Make Sure They’ll Give You a Customized System
If you work with one of the best solar companies, you can expect them to ask what your main goals are for going solar. For instance, they’ll want to know how much you want to save on energy bills to have a more sustainable home. They’ll also inquire if you wish to use solar as an emergency backup energy source.
Those questions help solar installers plan out the design and scope of your system.
For example, if you tell them you want to get rid of electric bills, they’ll design a system capable of doing that. To do that, they’ll assess your energy needs to determine how many solar panels to include in your system.
Suppose you also want to store solar energy for later use or during emergencies. So long as you work with a top solar provider, you can rest assured they’ll set you up with solar batteries. Sunrun, Eon Energy, and Trione Energy are companies offering such products.
Look for Lengthy Warranties
The best solar installers always back their products and services with warranties. In most cases, they provide two different written guarantees. One is for the solar panel system itself, while the other is for their workmanship.
System Warranty
System warranties are those that come from solar panel manufacturers. It’s the warranty that would kick in if something goes wrong with your system. However, even if it’s from the OEM, your solar installer would still assist you during the process.
That means the installation company will reach out to the OEM about your system. They’ll also help you file the report and gather whatever documents you need. From there, they’ll go to your house and carry out the necessary repairs.
Now, keep in mind that the solar industry standard for system warranties is 25 years. However, some panels can last even longer, reaching service lives of up to 40 years. So, the least you should get and settle for is 25 years.
Workmanship Warranty
Workmanship warranties are specific to the job performed by solar installers. In most cases, they cover defects or issues directly related to the installation. If those problems arise during the warranty period, the installer must fix them for free.
While such events are unlikely, you still want the assurance that you can rely on the installer if they do occur. Fortunately, the best solar companies offer workmanship warranties of at least five years. By contrast, others provide less than that, with some only offering one-year guarantees.
Start Looking for the Best Solar Company Today
There you have it, all the essential details you need to know when choosing the best solar company. Just remember to look for certifications, complete service, customization, and warranties. So long as you keep these factors in mind, you can distinguish the best solar installers from the rest.
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