Residential solar guide

Residential Solar Guide:

How to Evaluate Solar Companies and Select the Right Solar Partner

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2014

Residential Solar Guide

Residential Solar Guide 2014

www.solarenergyoption.com

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“How to evaluate solar vendors and select the right solar partner”

This resource guide will highlight the steps homeowners

should take when selecting a solar energy company.

We’ll identify things you should know before contacting

potential contractors, how to find solar contractors and

what credentials they should have.

Important Guidelines to Consider While Choosing a Solar Company

Many homeowners recognize the value proposition solar energy provides and want to team up

with a qualified solar company to start reaping the benefits. You may already know solar will

save you money, but you also want to get the most affordable system and best service possible.

Save 70% off Total System Costs with Current Incentives and Available Credits




A well-qualified solar contractor will identify the right system for you, apply all available

incentives to your purchase, and stand behind your system for years to come.

But how do you find the best solar company for your installation?

The first step is to educate yourself on solar energy as it pertains to your requirements

· How solar works

· Why now is the perfect time to go solar?

· The benefits of using solar

· Available solar systems and how to choose what’s right for your home

· How solar saves you money and why it’s an affordable energy option

· Why solar energy has become the energy option of choice for many homeowners

· How current incentives reduce solar installation costs

· Ways financing makes solar even more affordable

· Methods for calculating your return on investment

· Different ways you can purchase a solar electric system

· Advantages and comparisons for direct purchase, low upfront lease and prepaid lease

options

So what’s next? You now need to thoroughly evaluate potential solar

contractors. Then, you can select the solar company that will deliver

what you need, as well as become a real partner throughout the life of

your system.




Evaluate Your Situation and

Requirements

It’s probably best for you to do some of the learning legwork on your own.

Although a reputable solar company will educate you on all aspec ts of a

solar energy installation, you should identify a few things prior to your

first meeting.

Here are some questions you should answer:

· What is your current energy use? Collect your past 12 months of

utility bills to analyze your usage. Energy usage is shown in kilowatt

hours also seen as kWh.

· What are your available funds for your solar project? Do you have a budget and how do

you plan to finance your solar system?

· Do you know how solar energy basically works? In addition to this resource guides, tons

of online resources exist for you to learn about solar. You can get as detailed as you want in

learning about how solar energy works.

· Have you looked at your home and evaluated whether it’s conducive for solar? In other

words, do you have anything like trees or buildings that shade a significant part of your home?

Do you have ample roof space to house panels?

· What are your expectations with a solar installation? By how much do you want to off-

set your utility bills? Most solar applications will offset utility costs between 25 and 75 percent,

depending upon individual circumstances. Having realistic expectations will help ensure a

successful installation.

· Have you conducted a cost-benefit analysis? Do the benefits outweigh the costs of your

solar installation? Sign up for a free solar quote www.solarquotetoday.com

Identify and Contact Prospective Solar Contractors

After you’ve thought about the issues surrounding a solar installation, it’s time to contact

reputable contractors. Professional solar system installers will help expand on the information

you’ve already collected, as well as educate you further on the right system for your home.

http://www.solarquotetoday.com/




How do you find the most qualified solar contractors? A good place to find potential vendors is

your electric utility’s recommendations and programs.

FIND A GOOD SOLAR PROVIDER

REQUEST A LIST NOW! [email protected]

Once you identify good prospects The solar company should provide you detailed information on the following:

Solar system size and configuration

Solar system configurations are somewhat complex and it’s important your solar company

walks you through all of the system components. The contractor should advise you on the steps

taken to determine the right system size and explain exactly how each component in the

system will perform. You should come away knowing about solar panel sizes, system wattage

and energy output, for example.

Solar system cost

After learning about the right-sized system for your home, you need to know how much that

system will cost. Your solar contractor will explain in detail the cost factors involved, how they

relate to your desired utility offset expectations and the total cost of the recommended system.

Through careful analysis of all trade-offs, you can arrive at the best system configuration for

your budget and expectations.

Financial incentives

mailto:[email protected]?subject=request%20a%20list%20of%20solar%20providers

mailto:[email protected]?subject=request%20a%20list%20of%20qualified%20solar%20providers




Once you know the total system cost, your solar company will outline all available incentives.

You’ll get a prepared analysis of utility rebates and other incentives applied directly to your

initial cost. Your solar contractor will also provide you with information on tax credits and sales

tax exemptions that further lower your investment cost. You can expect your final system cost

to be drastically lower after these incentives are applied.

System life

You need to know how long you can expect your solar system to last to determine the return

on your investment. A competent solar company will provide you with an expected system life

time that is backed-up by a warranty. Most solar panels last between 25 and 30 years.

Service

Although solar systems are very reliable, you still want your solar company to be around when

you need them. Learn about service policies and what’s covered under warranties. These

should be explained in detail when you meet with your solar contractors and be provided in

writing within your purchase documents.

Narrowing Your Prospects

Finding the right solar contractor can make the difference in whether your project delivers your expected benefits.

Here are some important questions to ask when evaluating with each potential solar

contractor:

What’s the contractor’s experience level in terms of years in business and number of systems

installed? Obviously, you want a solar company who knows what they’re doing. The more time

spent in the industry, the more the company is likely to have learned. Also, confirm the years

they have been installing solar. Many companies were once servicing pools or AC units and

have just recently decided to “get into solar.”




Do they have ample experience in roofing? It is absolutely critical to determine if your

potential solar installers are experienced with roofing and know how a solar system will affect

your existing roof. Look on the Registrar of Contractors (ROC) website to confirm they are

licensed roofing contractors. If so, they will have a K-42 license. Roofing is complex and your

solar contractor must know how to best install your solar system on your existing roof

structure.

Have they installed thousands of systems or just a few? Have they been around for a long time

and are they likely to be around for the foreseeable future? An experienced contractor will

know all the ins and outs of system selection, installation, permitting, incentives, repair and

more.

What about their background? Is the solar company licensed and insured? A quick look at the

third-party accrediting and rating agencies can ensure you’re working with a properly

credentialed business. You can conduct a search at the Registrar of Contractors (ROC) to verify

appropriate licensing and performance of any registered contractor. The purpose of the ROC is

to promote quality construction by contractors though a licensing and regulatory system

designed to protect the public.

The Better Business Bureau can help you find a business you can trust. You can use the online

search function to locate trustworthy companies by name, industry, location or phone number.

Also, as mentioned previously, check with your utility for recommended installers that service

your area, such as the Solar Energy Option Qualified Solar Installer list.

Are they financially viable? You want to make sure your contractor is likely to be around for

the life of your system. Solid financial performance can help signify staying power.

Do they offer multiple financing opportunities? To provide the best flexibility for your budget,

you might want to explore additional financing arrangements besides paying cash. Does your

solar company have relationships with various financial institutions and leasing companies?

For example, you can pay cash upfront for your system by using existing funds or taking out a

home equity loan. Or, you can finance your system through a variety of options and sources.

If you thoroughly consider your requirements and conduct the proper due diligence when

selecting your solar company, you should be well on your way to saving money with solar

energy. With the right solar partner, you should meet your expectations and achieve the

desired level of success throughout the life of your system.

mailto:[email protected]?subject=request%20list%20of%20qualified%20solar%20companies




Let’s get started: There’s never been a better time to go solar. You can be on your way to saving money in no

time. We’re happy to prepare a free, no obligation analysis and cost estimate.

To do this, we start by collecting three pieces of information:

1. To size your system accurately, we review the last 12 months of your electricity usage.

Your past bills or your utility’s web site will supply the needed information.

2. With your address, we use online aerial photography tools to inspect your roof features

and available un-shaded space. We can then determine estimated production levels. Although

panels will perform under cloudy conditions, they’re very sensitive to shade. As we get further

along in the process, we’ll conduct a thorough on-site inspection and analysis.

3. We also want to understand your objectives for solar electric offset. On average, the

amount our customers offset their utility bills ranges from 30 percent to 92 percent. The

percentage you receive will be based on your home’s physical limitations.

Call or Email us today. We’re here to answer any questions or provide your free analysis and

quote.




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