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GO SOLAR!

Have you decided that the time is now to GO SOLAR? If so, the first thing you need to do is decide which solar installer to go with. Here are some important things to keep in mind when making your decision.

• The first thing to keep in mind is that you should get 3 proposals. Don’t go with the first solar installer you meet with. Unfortunately there are many solar companies out there who only look at their bottom line and not what’s in the best interest of the customer. If the solar sales person you are meeting with is pressuring you to sign at the first meeting, that should be a huge red flag. There is a reason they are trying to get you to sign so quickly. There is no reason to rush into a contract.

• When you compare solar proposals, are the brands and specs listed for the solar panels and inverters they are proposing? Without that specific detail you can’t make an apples to apples comparison as the quality and the output of solar panels varies greatly. Make sure you have the solar panel and inverter specs before you sign anything.

• How long has the solar company been in business? We have unfortunately seen many solar companies go out of business through the years which leaves a lot of orphaned solar customers out there. If the solar company is newer, there is a a risk they could go out of business and you will have to pay another solar company to fix your system rather than have it covered by a craftsmanship warranty.

• Does the solar installer have its own employees or do they outsource their solar installations? If they outsource their solar work, find out the company they plan to outsource the installation to. Look up THAT company’s website and see what the quality of their work is. What do their customer reviews have to say? If something goes wrong with your solar system down the road you want to make sure you have a company to go to who can provide the necessary warranty work if needed. Keep in mind too that in these types of agreements, a commission has to be built in for the solar sales company so you are paying more there.

• What are the payment options being offered? Does a lease, power purchase agreement, financing or paying for the system outright make the most sense for you? If you don’t have the cash on hand to pay for the system outright, there are great financing options out there which provides a great alternative to a lease or power purchase agreements. In most cases leases and power purchase agreements should be your last option. If you plan to sell your house at any point the new homeowners have to agree to take on your lease or power purchase agreement. The ROI is also significantly less with leases and power purchase agreements. Essentially, rather than paying the Utility company, you are paying the solar company for your power so there is not a lot of savings.

The bottom line who choosing a solar installer is to due your due diligence. There are so many options out there, a lot of great companies, and a lot of bad ones. You want to make sure you select the company that is the best fit for your personal goals of going solar and provides the most value.

At SOLAR SOURCE® quality and design is our top priority. Our business is built on referrals and we take pride in the work we do. We have been headquartered in Southern California since 2008. We primarily serve Orange County and Los Angeles County. In addition to serving Orange County and Los Angeles County we have completed many custom solar projects which have taken us as far North as Chico, California, and as south as San Diego, California. Questions about if solar could be right for you? Fill out this short form and a member of our team will be in touch about a solar analysis so you can GO SOLAR!