How to Find the Best Solar Company in Your Area

If you’re thinking about getting a solar panel installation, or if you have already decided to get a solar panel installation, the next step is going to be finding a solar company to work with.

There are going to be a lot of different companies that insist that they are ‘the best solar company in your area’. But there are some ways that you can discover if they really are ‘the best solar company in your area’ or if they are just trying to get more business.

Here are four ways to find the best solar company to work with!

The Length of Time They Have Been in Business

It’s always best to find a company that has been in business for a while. The solar company that you choose needs to estimate, install, and take care of your solar panel installation for the years to come. If a solar installer isn’t a dedicated solar company, they could lack the expertise and proper training to handle all of the bumps in the road when it comes to getting a solar panel installation.

Your solar power system is only as good as the solar company that installs it, so you’re going to want to work with a solar company with a good reputation in the solar power world.

This is not to say that a new solar company can’t be a good one, because it can! However, if you do choose to go with a newer solar company you are running the risk that the solar company isn’t going to be in business for the entire 25-year lifespan of your solar panel installation’s warranty.

This could make things pretty difficult if the solar company that you buy your solar panels from, goes out of business. This will also mean that your warranty would mean nothing and that you would need to find maintenance and cleaning services on your own. This is why it is recommended that you look for a solar company that has been in the solar power industry for at least five years.

The Quality of the Solar Panels

Currently, there are three kinds of solar panels that are commonly used in the solar power industry: amorphous, polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Amorphous solar panels are going to be the cheapest, but least durable and have the lowest efficiency out of all of the options for solar panels on the market.

The polycrystalline solar panels are the ones that are known for having a bluish color and have been pretty popular in the past decade. They are going to be a great choice for people who have a lot of space and don’t want to pay the higher price for the monocrystalline solar panels.

The monocrystalline solar panels have been the most popular choice for the past few years. These solar panels are going to be the most efficient and will require the least amount of space. They are a great option for people who don’t have a large roof. But, they are going to cost the most.

The solar installer that you choose will be able to make some suggestions as to what type of solar panels are going to be best suited for your needs. You are going to want to make sure that the solar company you choose carries the solar panels that you want. You are also going to want to make sure that the solar company works with high-quality manufacturers.

Solar Warranties: Are They Important?

Solar warranties are going to be a pretty important piece of the solar panel installation. The warranty for your solar panels is going typically consist of two parts: the equipment and the performance. The equipment warranty is typically going to be good for 10-12 years, while the performance warranty typically lasts up to 25 years. While most solar panels are going to go a while without any issues, it is going to be important that you have a solid warranty, in the rare event that something does happen. You should make sure that the solar company offers a:

- Equipment warranty for 10-12 years.

- A performance warranty of 90% up to 10 years.

- A performance warranty of 80% up to 25 years.

Payment Options

Transparent pricing is going to mean that there’s won’t be any surprise charges when it’s time to sign the financial paperwork for your new solar power system.

When you get your solar panel installation quote, you should pay close attention to the price per watt of the solar power system and the estimated cost of the actual solar panel installation. You can figure out the cost per watt by dividing the gross cost of your solar panel installation by the total power rating of the solar power system.

Most reputable companies are going to recommend financing for solar options. There are going to be several financing for solar options that you will be able to choose from. This includes green energy loans, power purchase agreements, and solar leases. Each of the options will have some pros and cons.

Green energy loans were made specifically for people who want to make the switch to renewable energy. Most of these loans will have fairly low-interest rates. This is a favorable option because it lets you own the solar power system, and pay it off over time. Generally, most people are going to pay off a green energy loan in 7-8 years.

Power purchase agreements and solar leases are going to be pretty similar. When you sign a power purchase agreement you are, in a sense, renting the solar power system and paying for the energy that you use. Solar leases are very similar, in that you are renting the solar power equipment, and instead of paying for the solar power that you use, you are going to pay a set amount each month. With both of these options, you aren’t going to own the solar equipment and tied into a long-term contract.

You are going to have to ultimately decide what the best option is going to be got your situation.