How to choose the right solar panel installer

Have you made the decision of investing in solar energy? Do you want your home to be powered by renewable energy? If the answer to the above questions is yes, then you have made the right decision. Purchasing a solar panel is a big investment that requires for proper installation in order to reap the benefits.

It’s quite clear that the process of purchasing a solar panel is easier in comparison to that of finding its installers. When buying a solar panel, the first step would be to; identify the type of solar panel you wish to buy, secondly; find the vendors of that particular solar panel, thirdly; compare the prices and quality offered by those vendors, then finally, decide which solar panel to buy and the vendor you wish to buy from. As easy as that!

Meanwhile the process of identifying a proper solar panel installer is rather difficult and most people don’t know where to start from. The market of solar panels installers is already flooded with companies/individuals who claim to be the best, but how do you actually identify which one is the most competent?

Here is a list of guidelines you can follow when choosing the best solar panel installer company:

• FREE SITE VISIT

Installer companies should offer a free site-visit to get a clear picture of where and how they are going to install the solar panel(s). During this site visit, installers need to determine what kind of resources they will use for solar installation, given most solar installations are done in outside environments (which is harsher to the resources). Examples of these resources include;

1. PV Cabling: this type of wire is recommended in underground cabling, as it has the capability of withstanding moisture, heat and UV resistance. The PV wire was developed to connect PV modules and to handle extreme temperatures from 90 degrees in wet conditions and 105 degrees in dry conditions. An installer should recommend and estimate the amount of PV cabling to be used during installation process.
2. DC breakers: these components are essential in the installation of solar system as they create a barrier between Direct current and Alternating current. DC breakers play a huge role in the protection of electricity and were designed to function even when the alternating current unit has experienced a failure. Make sure this item is listed in the quotation.
3. MC4 connectors: these are single-contact electrical connectors used in connecting solar panels. MC4 allows easy construction of strings of solar panels and is the current standard in the renewable energy industry. Typically, larger solar panels will come with come equipped with MC4 connectors but try to inquire from the Installer Company and vendor on the prices.

Lastly, installer companies should provide clients with suggestions on which solar panels would be a best fit for their homes. If an installer is not willing to go the extra mile of providing this service, that should be a clear indication of incompetence.

• ASSURANCE OF SAFETY ON INSTALLATION

The installer of the solar panel needs to give proper security analysis because these measures will preserve the life-span of the solar system. To achieve this, installer companies need to implement the following features in the solar panel installation:

1. Surge protector: this device was designed to protect electrical devices from issues such as voltage spikes and to suppress the voltage which is supplied to electrical devices using techniques such as shorting to ground or blocking voltage surges which exceeds the threshold of safety.
2. Safety trunking: this measure ensures protection of cables from external factors such as heat, chemicals, moisture, water and ultraviolet light that may cause damage. It is strongly advisable that installers use trunking for cables in the solar panel system.
3. Automatic/Manual switching configuration: Installers need to advise you on what type of switching they can implement in the solar panel installation. The automatic switching is the type where continuous failure of power is not allowed, while the manual switching is one where you have to manually switch to solar energy when there is load shedding from your primary power supply.

REQUEST FOR REFERENCES

It’s strongly advisable to ask the installer company for references and testimonials from their other clients. Doing so will provide you with clarity on how good the installer is and how they’ve served other clients in the past. A reputable installer will not have any issues with providing these references. Furthermore, conduct research on how long the company has been in operation. The longer the period, the more competent they are.

• GET MULTIPLE QUOTATIONS

One of the oldest tricks in the books, but definitely a great one! Before committing to one installer, make sure you get at least 3 quotations from other companies. These quotations will be the basis for comparison in regards to price.

After you make these comparisons, it will aid in choosing the price which fits your budget. This process also provides a sense of the company and how working with them might turn out.

COUNTER-CHECK WHAT THE FINAL QUOTATION INCLUDES

After getting your quotations from the installer company, it’s advisable that you get clear breakdown of every item listed on it. Get clarity of all the items that have been listed and ask if there any items that have been left out, this should be done just so you don’t encounter any surprises with the final bill.

CLARIFY WHAT AFTERCARE WILL BE OFFERED

Solar installation companies offer warranty, therefore it is important to inquire how long the warranty period is, as this varies from one company to another. What you also need to bear in mind is that there could be slight differences in the manufacturer’s warranty and the installer’s warranty period, hence, you need to do an assessment on who will be responsible for the labor costs if the manufacturer’s warranty is till valid while installers has expired (vice versa).

WATCH OUT FOR SALES TACTICS

A reputable installer company does not engage in sales tactics that aim to pressure its potential customers. Companies that resort to tactics such as offering limited offers are indirectly compelling potential clients to decide faster, therefore, be on the look out for such red flags.

Should you encounter such companies, it would be wiser not to go with them as this might cost you in the long run. Always take your time when making a decision of choosing an installer company!