When you decide to invest in a solar power system for your home, you’re making a long-term commitment that promises both financial and environmental rewards.

That’s why it’s important to do it right from the start, to avoid problems from the beginning or later on when the panels are already installed on your roof.

Obviously, you want a hassle-free process, and there’s no aspect more important to achieve this than by choosing the right solar panel installer and understanding what is involved and also who is responsible for each stage of the installation process.

The solar installer

If you’re hiring a contractor to set up the system on your roof, you need to make sure he is experienced and knows what he’s doing, especially if you have a roof that presents some challenges or if you have a limited budget.

Get different bids from local companies and compare reviews online to make sure they know what they’re doing and ask questions about past projects.

This can be done fairly easy by accessing the Hahasmart price checker that provides you with an estimate of equipment and installation costs for a solar power system that meets your energy needs. They’ll even help you contact a reputable solar installer in your area. 

Remember, the installer does more than just set up the mountain rack for the panels on your roof, he’s in charge of a lot of other aspects of the solar power system that could guarantee decades of renewable energy supply or headaches.

Because of all of this, he carries the brunt of the responsibilities, including recommending the solar panels and other equipment to meet your specific electricity and budget needs. He may also be designing the layout of the system on your roof, making sure there is no shade that can affect power output. 

But he’s also responsible for a few other things, such as:

Explaining all the different financing options (cash, loans) -  financing approvals might come from 3rd parties like banks. But if you choose the right installer, they will be able to help you with the application process—from start to finish.

Explaining warranties and solar production guarantee - including reviewing all aspects of energy monitoring. All parts of a solar power system include a product warranty that details your own responsibilities as a homeowner and the company’s in case of a defect or a problem. Review these coverages with your installer—in advance, before you sign a contract.

Handling permits, applications, and municipal approvals - depending on your city or county, this could get very involved and lengthy. Someone who knows his way around this process can speed it up by knowing where to go and how to prepare the right documentation. This process includes permission from the utility to connect your installation to the power grid. 

Helping you apply for solar incentives and rebates - different cities, counties and states - and even utilities- have created special programs and rebates as motivation for those making the switch to solar power. These incentives can mean thousands of dollars in savings on the installation of a residential solar system. An installer with experience in this aspect will be particularly important if you finance your system using cash or solar loans.

Grid-connecting your system - once approval is given by your utility company. Before you can start reaping the savings of solar power, you first must get permission from your electric company. And in order to receive this permit, the installer must be licensed to operate within your state.

Reviewing net metering and feed-in tariffs (FIT) - if you’re utility program has a net meter or FIT program, this will allow you to send excess energy generated by your solar system to the electric grid in exchange for credit when you get power from the grid, including at night when your solar panels aren’t working. Depending on your system’s output, you could be selling more power than you get, which could mean additional benefits for you. Your electricity bill will also change once you start producing your own power. 

Providing maintenance. While the manufacturer provides warranty coverage for solar components, claims are usually sent through the installer. Your contractor should also provide workmanship guarantees (minimum of 20 years) to protect you from any defects resulting from faulty labor.

The utility company also has its part in the solar power installation process. 

Unless you live in a remote area, you will continue to be tied to a utility. This is especially true if you have net metering or FIT, programs for which you have to enroll in order to participate. Entry is not automatic. As such, it is the electric company that approves your solar power installation. 

Also, remember that having solar panels on your roof doesn’t mean you will no longer have a monthly bill. Utility employees will still come by every month to do a reading at your home.

The monthly bills will show the minimum delivery charges and other fees. 

At the end of your 12-month cycle (not a yearly calendar) you will get what is called a True-Up statement that reconciles your monthly net energy charges and credits. If you have a balance due after all charges and credits are added up, that amount will appear on this bill. Any remaining charges must be paid and any excess surpluses are typically reset to zero.

The statement will also include a summary of NEM [net energy metering] charges, describing the amount of energy used for each tier of your provider’s time-of-use pricing schedule, total usage for each month, taxes owed for each month, and year-end total for each of these figures.

The True-Up statement can be a big bill, often above $1,000 dollars. So don’t be discouraged or surprised. In the off-chance you sold the utility more power than you took from them, you might also get a check, but generally it’s very small. The reason for this is that the rate they purchase electricity from a utility is much higher than the rate the utility gives them for the solar energy they produce.

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