As a homeowner, the decision to add solar technology to your property is a big one. Many factors need to be considered, such as the financial aspect, roof orientation and installation processes amongst others.
To help, we have culminated a list of the top 10 most important questions you should be asking a solar panel installer throughout the process of turning your home into a renewable one.
Solar panels offer two types of warranty: manufacturer and workmanship. You must ask your installer what warranties you will be covered by and how long for. Homeowners should always get clarification on what warranty is being offered and what this includes, and this is one of the most important questions to ask.
Many companies offer solar panel installations, but they usually don’t have local, regionalised manpower on the ground to complete the physical installations. For your peace of mind, it’s vital to learn how long the response time could be should there be any issues with your system. Always ask the company you go with what the response time would be should you have any problems.
It is quite common to see the price of a solar panel installation on a website, but this doesn’t always reveal the cost of batteries. Not everyone decides to install batteries with their solar systems on their property, but it’s worth looking into the advantages of having one, whilst getting a quote for the full price.
With battery storage, a 4kW solar PV system (around 10 – 12 panels) for example, could potentially take you fully off the grid in the summertime, reducing your vulnerability to energy price fluctuations. When asking for this cost, also ask for a detailed breakdown of all costs of the installation.
One of the great things about solar panels is that the initial cost you spend on the installation will eventually pay for itself through the reduction in your energy bills. This can fluctuate depending on the size of the system at the property, so you must ask your installer this question to know when you can expect the panels to have paid for themselves. On average, this can take between 6 and 7 years.
However, with advancements in technology and manufacturing making the prices lower for solar panel installations, the payback period could potentially decrease, so always ask your supplier for full transparency.
When inquiring about installing solar panels on your home, you will naturally want to know how long the entire process will take and what disruption there will be to your home. Make sure to ask your chosen provider how long the actual installation will take, from the first panel going up to the scaffolding coming down.
You must choose a company with the correct qualifications, to make sure that you get both the best job done and to avoid any solar scams. A reputable company should be able to provide proof of their qualifications upon request. The two key accreditations you want to look out for with any solar panel installer are MCS and RECC.
Firstly, we should say that you don’t need an EPC to get solar panels installed. However, it’s worth discussing with your installation company to see if getting an EPC can improve the rating you get, reducing your bills even further. Make sure to ask this question at the beginning of your installation process.
The government often offer incentives to encourage the adoption of solar energy, so make sure to check before you go ahead with an installation. These incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of installation and make solar panels more financially feasible for homeowners. Asking about the available incentives from your chosen installer ensures you can take full advantage of any financial assistance programs to make sure you’re getting the best deal. In the UK, the current incentive is the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays you for exporting solar energy back to the grid.
One of the most popular questions we are asked is “Is the UK sunny enough for solar panels?” and the answer is yes. Solar panels are designed to harness the power of sunlight, not heat, which means they continue to generate electricity even on cloudy days. While they are more efficient in direct sunlight, they are far from non-functional in less sunny conditions.
However, assessing how your roof’s direction will affect panel efficiency helps to understand the potential energy output and financial return on investment, so it is a vital question to ask. The best orientation is a south-facing roof, but east-to-west roofs also work well. Asking this question ensures that you’re getting the best advice from your chosen installer as if there are trees or other barriers around your home, a workaround may be needed. Or, it may be the case that the roof might not be suitable.
This question is crucial for understanding the full financial commitment associated with solar panel ownership and makes sure you aren’t hit with any surprise costs along the way.
Some aftercare services may include troubleshooting, and repairs, so understanding whether these services are included in the final cost helps homeowners plan for future expenses and maintenance schedules. This question will also give you peace of mind knowing that your provider will offer support beyond the initial installation.
These days, it feels like everything is expensive and it just keeps rising, including our energy bills. When the weather heats up, we use more energy to try and cool the house down to a comfortable level through fans or air conditioners. And when it's cold, we trade the fans and air conditioners for heaters to stay warm. Not to mention that we need electricity for everything else too, such as the lights, television, computers, phones, gaming consoles, home appliances, EVs and more. Pretty much everything needs power these days, which in turn means big power bills.
A recent CNET survey found that high energy bills are stressing out 78% of surveyed US adults, but 70% of those Americans are looking into ways to be more energy efficient. Switching to solar power is a logical next step for homeowners looking to lessen their monthly bills, perhaps give back to the grid on low energy days and bank solar energy for when the grid goes down due to overwhelming demand or a downed transformer. But 32% are also concerned about the cost of energy-efficient projects too, though it's still a worthwhile investment to consider.
Installing solar panels is a smart investment that can increase your home's value, reduce your energy bills, but with tens of thousands of dollars on the line, you can't take it lightly, no matter how many federal or local incentives may be available. Knowing the right kind of questions to ask solar companies in your area can ensure a smooth installation experience and save you thousands over your system's lifetime.
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Going solar is a big step in the right direction, but if you've never dealt with solar companies before, it can be a bit overwhelming, even intimidating. It's a common question seen on Reddit, with people asking others for advice and getting a lot of good advice from others who have gone through the process.
Through research and the expert knowledge of CNET's energy team, we've gathered the top 15 questions -- and expected answers -- you should ask before you sign any contract from any solar installer.
The solar industry's recent boom means that more companies than ever are getting in on the action. That's generally a good thing, but not all of them are experienced installers or even legitimate businesses.
"Sometimes these installation companies are fly-by-night. They open one month and close the next," said Jani Hale, help desk manager with Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit that helps consumers go solar by forming residential co-ops and providing educational support. Ideally, an installer will have been in business for at least three years or more.
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Online reviews for solar installers are a great start, but they're not as reliable as an industry certification. The National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) sets standards for knowledge, experience and professionalism in the renewable energy sector. "We recommend that at least one person in that company be NABCEP certified to ensure that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills," Hale said.
Additional certifications can tell you more about a company's labor practices and environmental standards. B Corp-certified companies are required to meet certain social and environmental standards in their operations, including fair labor practices and wages. "If installers are getting a fair wage, they're going to be much more likely to do a quality installation," said Micah Gold-Markel, who founded Philadelphia-based installer Solar States in .
"There are different rules for different states, so making sure that the person you're talking to can explain the rules in your state very clearly is extremely important," said Gold-Markel.
For example, California law restricts the backflow of residential solar to the grid. In Pennsylvania, residential systems can send unlimited power back to the grid, with utilities required to pay the full retail price. Those state-by-state differences can significantly affect the payback period for your system.
In addition to the 30% federal tax credit offered by the Inflation Reduction Act, you may be eligible for additional credits or incentives based on other factors. Those incentives can add up, and that's before any local or utility-specific incentives come into play. A knowledgeable solar installer will be able to tell you about federal, state and local incentives that can help you save money. "You can get between 30% and 60% of the cost of your solar back in tax credits, depending on how you use these various federal incentives," Gold-Markel said.
For example, if you're purchasing solar for your business it may be possible to accelerate the depreciation of that asset, allowing for a larger tax deduction in the initial years of your system. You could also be eligible for additional credits if your installer uses American-made materials.
Ask about the equipment an installer plans to use and why they've made that choice. A company that only uses one size of panel may not be the best fit if your home has a complex or architecturally elaborate roof. "Beware of salespersons who imply that there's only one type of solar system or battery storage," Hale said. "There are many brands of solar equipment and system designs to choose from."
Gold-Markel also recommends inquiring about where equipment was sourced, with a preference for panels that were manufactured in the US. "We are part of Amicus, a national cooperative of installers that buys ethically sourced solar panels," he says. "If you can find an Amicus installation professional in your area, you know you're getting a responsibly sourced system."
The age of your roof is a key consideration in going solar. Solar United Neighbors recommends replacing a roof with less than 10 to 15 years of life left before installing your system.
A competent solar installer should be able to give you an opinion of your roof's condition and make recommendations as part of their proposal. "They may not be roofers themselves, but they should be able to say, 'We see some damage on your roof and it would be a good idea if you got it replaced prior to going solar," Gold-Markel said.
Believe it or not, the salesperson you're speaking with might not work for the company that will actually do your installation. Make sure the installer you're signing on with will be the one to do the work.
"There are a lot of high-pressure marketing companies out there that are sort of posing as solar companies," Gold-Markel said. "All they do is marketing and sales, and then they pawn off the solar installation to some other company. That can be a real recipe for disaster."
You'll want to discuss a rough project timeline with any solar installer you're considering -- both in terms of when work will begin and how long it will take to get your solar installation up and running. Hale noted that's a question a reputable installer should be asking you.
"Installers should ask what your timeframe is for getting your system installed, so they can give you the room to do your research," she said. "The really good installers will wait for you to come back to them."
Gold-Markel recommends inquiring about extended warranties or operations and maintenance packages that cover the entire life of the system, which is typically around 25 years. "Ask if you can also get an operations and maintenance package, an extended warranty that covers the lifespan of the solar or a longer warranty for the workmanship than may come with the contract," he said.
Due to high interest rates, financing your solar installation is a less attractive option than it was a few years ago. If you are considering financing, Gold-Markel said, be sure to inquire about any hidden fees that may be a part of the agreement. It's also important to look into the institution offering the loan, which may be a third party, and read the terms closely to understand what happens if you default.
Homeowners tend to focus on the total cost to install solar or the cost per panel. Be sure to compare the cost in dollars per watt when comparing solar installers, Hale said. Two solar systems may have a similar overall cost, but the wattage generated can differ based on panel size and capacity. The system with the lower cost per watt is the better deal.
A good solar installer should make it easy to understand how much of your household's power consumption can be met by your solar system. Factors like weather, shade, roof size and household energy use will all affect how much power your panels will generate.
Information about how much of your household's electricity will be offset by your system should be included in a reputable solar installer's proposal for your project, and installers should be forthcoming about this information. "If that's clearly laid out in a proposal, then nine times out of ten, that's a green flag," Hale said.
Your discussions with solar installers should not only estimate how much you'll save over the life of your system but also include how that estimate was derived.
Installers calculate lifetime savings using a metric called a utility escalator. This percentage describes the projected inflation rate of the cost of power and is based on historical trends (and is different from the escalators in a power purchase agreement). Solar United Neighbors recommends checking that the utility escalator used in competing proposals from different installers is the same to help you compare accurately.
It's not possible to ensure that every panel in your solar system will always produce power at the maximum level, said Gold-Markel, but a good installer should be able to guarantee your panels' performance within a reasonable range.
"If the overall power output is within a reasonable error rate of, say, 10% of what was predicted, then I think you should be happy with the outcome," he says.
Net metering policies in some states allow you to sell power generated by your solar system back to the public grid -- a significant solar incentive that can significantly reduce the payback period on your system. You don't typically sell that power to your energy utility directly.
Instead, homeowners often sell solar renewable energy certificates, or SRECs, through a third party known as a broker or aggregator. Your installer may be able to connect you with a broker. If you'd prefer to choose your own broker, Solar United Neighbors recommends double-checking your contract to make sure that's not prohibited in your agreement.
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