Next steps after deciding to get solar

Determine Power Needed

All you have to do is find out your average monthly utility bill cost. Most utilities offer that information online to their customers. Some utilities offer solar calculators, and it is also something that we offer at HahaSmart. If you enter in your address and your average monthly utility bill, our price-checker tool gives you an estimate of how much power you need, what the system might cost, and how much money you’ll save over time.

Calculate Installation Costs

The price of solar installations vary from company to company, but it is all usually based on the how many total watts you need, and what kind of solar panels you purchase. A general rule is that many different companies offer solar panels at all nearly the same wattage rating. You don’t have to get the most expensive solar panels because most panels are constructed the same, none of them have moving parts, and they all come with warranties now.

This is why you should call at least three local installers and compare their quotes. If you do a little research, it will save you money in the end. A good certified installer will give you a reliable price quote, with a complete breakdown of parts and labor needed to finish the job, and a timeline of how long it will take. There is the Federal Government’s tax credit is the biggest way to reduce the cost of going solar. That tax credit is 30 percent of the total cost of parts and labor. States also have programs to help, and most cities and states participate in what is called net-metering. These programs vary in different cities, but basically, they are programs where the utilities pay you for the power you don’t use. 

Determine Permits Required

Basically, contractors and your certified installers will handle the heavy lifting needed to get permits signed, but depending on your utility, you may need to sign a few papers. A good example in California is with PG&E. They make solar panel owners sign an Agreement and Customer Authorization form as well as a Standard Net Energy Metering Interconnection Application.

According to the PG&E agreement, homeowners authorize the utility to release data about usage to the solar company. By signing the Net Metering Agreement people also agree to install only the solar equipment contained in the application and to operate it only in accordance with the instructions from the utility. In the agreement, they are also indemnifying the utility against any damage to the grid or other loss caused by the homeowner’s solar generation equipment.

We looked and couldn’t find a case where solar panels damaged the grid, but it is good to be aware of these clauses.

Understand the Net Metering Program

Most utilities install the meter themselves, or they have authorized contractors to do the installation. In some cases, the utility uses the solar company’s licensed electrician to upgrade the meter. Every authorized installer walks the homeowner through this process and any costs associated. As the net meter works, it measures both the kilowatt hours delivered to the home, as well as the kilowatt hours overproduced and fed back to the grid.

This is where the net metering comes in. It is important to note that net metering is not available in every state, but it is available in 38 of the 50 states. During the day you might produce more power than you use, and then at night when the solar panels are dormant, you receive those power credits back as you use electricity from the grid. At the end of the month, if you generate more power than you use, the excess power will carry over to the next month as a credit. For more insight, click here.

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