After choosing the solar panels you need, it’s time to choose an installer to help you install the overall solar system. Installing solar panels is not as simple as it seems, just put the PV panels on the roof and you are done, it requires a lot of labor to help plan the roof space, connect the cables within the whole system successfully and install the supporting facilities. Choosing a good, responsible installer can help simplify the installation process and reduce the number of installation problems that may be exposed later.
1. What steps do you need to take to screen a good solar installer?
1.1 Check the installer’s license and whether it uses subcontractors
First of all, checking the key licenses and certificates of the installer can help you choose the most formal solar installer. Generally, installers need to be certified by the North American Council of Conscientious Energy Practitioners, which is often considered the gold standard for renewable energy system installers. However, these licenses can vary depending on the location. So when you’re not sure what qualifications an installer in your location needs, ask the company about the licensing framework they follow and the national standards they adhere to.
1.2 Check the training qualifications of the installer
For the installer, you need to make sure that the installer will assign you an installer who has more than three years of experience in installing solar equipment and is familiar with the whole installation process, which will greatly reduce the possible troubles during the installation and increase the efficiency of the installation. In order to select qualified installers, you can ask the installers how long they have been in the industry and how much they know about the steps of installing a solar system when choosing an installer. If you are worried about being cheated, you can also choose to check the installer’s training experience and relevant qualifications.
1.3 Ask the installer about the warranty period
A good installer will have absolute confidence in their installation work, so they will equip you with warranty periods of different lengths. When examining an installer to see if they are qualified, you can ask the company what kind of warranty they will provide when something goes wrong with the solar panel system you have installed, how many years the warranty will last, and whether it includes a component warranty and a workmanship warranty.
The workmanship warranty, in particular, is important reference data for screening installers. Workmanship warranty means that the work of the installer is warranted, and the installer needs to be responsible for coming to the house to inspect or replace parts if they are damaged prematurely due to improper installation.
1.4 Consultation and communication with installers
First of all, we need to know that almost every home requires special customization of the solar energy system since the energy needs and the condition of the roof are different in every home. When choosing a solar installer, it is important to look into their experience in customizing and designing solar systems to ensure that they have the ability to assess the condition of your roof prior to installation. If there are special roof conditions such as vent pipes or chimneys, the installer will be responsible for providing a suitable solution.
1.5 Compare quotes from different installers
As well as examining the competence of the installer, the price quotes from each company need to be taken into account. Generally, installers may calculate their quotes differently, with some basing their installation costs on the number of solar panels installed and others on the number of watts installed. You will also need to make your choice based on a comprehensive comparison of the warranty periods offered by different companies for their quotes.
1.6 Check with friends who have already installed solar panels
Compared to inspecting the installer, asking friends who have installed solar panels directly will give you the most direct answers about the installer’s ability to give you the most honest answers. You can get to know different installers by asking them a few questions.
2. What benefits do you get from choosing a good installer?
2.1 Help reduce installation time and cost
A good installer with a team of experienced installers can help you save the time you need to spend on installing solar panels. Although the price he quotes may be higher than other installers, it is a worthwhile investment in terms of the maintenance costs you can save.
Secondly, an installer who is confident in his installation skills will offer a longer and more comprehensive warranty, which will also help to reduce the later costs to some extent.
2.2 Help with local government incentives
For the average homeowner, it may not be possible to have a full understanding of the incentives and rebate policies of the government in your location, but if you choose a good installer, you can get a full understanding of local discounts through your installer as a way to get the most out of your incentives and to reduce the upfront cost of the investment you make in your solar system. Also, if you are getting your solar panels through solar financing, the solar installer you are looking for can also help you understand the potential energy costs of your solar system and make the most reasonable and favorable choices for you.
To summarize:
Every step of the process is extremely important for a solar system, from choosing a brand of solar panels to screening solar panel installers. In order to get a better user experience in the later stage, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of the solar panel installer before making a reasonable judgment and choice. If you can’t decide on your own which company to choose, here are some recommendations for installers: If you are located in the Americas, you can consider Solar Solution or Star Energy, if you are located in Europe, you can choose Gatter 3 Tevhnik or 4e Gruenstromen, if you are located in the Middle East, you can choose If you are in the Middle East, choose Arapol or Energy House.
