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The first solar collector was built in 1767 by Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure. Technology has improved by leaps and bounds since then, making solar panels an affordable renewable energy option that many households have installed.
Solar panels aren’t just a great renewable energy source; they also help you cut down on your utility bills. The most important step in ensuring your solar panels are doing their job is to hire the best solar installer to get the job done.
So, keep reading to find out exactly how to choose the right solar installer for your needs.
Reviews Are the New Recommendations
When it comes to reviews, people are just as likely to trust online reviews as they would recommend from a trusted source. This is why it’s so important to take the time to read the reviews of any company you consider hiring thoroughly.
Don’t just look at the reviews featured on their website. These reviews are cherry-picked only to showcase the ones that put the company in the best light possible. Instead, you need to look at Google reviews or your local review site.
Make sure you’re only looking at recent reviews. If you read reviews written a few years ago, you have no guarantee that the products and the solar installer are still the same. Focus your energy on the most recent reviews to get a good understanding of what you can expect.
Also, take the time to read the good and bad reviews thoroughly, don’t just look at the star rating. Someone might give a company a low star rating for something you don’t consider an issue, or they might praise something you don’t like.
Reading reviews gives you an insight into the company you wouldn’t be able to get any other way. You can see how people experienced the product and company without needing to shell out any money. So use this source in your search for the best solar installer in your area.
Education Matters
You need to find a solar installer company that not only gives you a quote but also explains how solar energy works and the solar installation process. Look for websites like blueravensolar.com that openly advertise that they also educate their customers.
You need to know how your solar panels work; that’s the only way you’ll be able to tell if something is wrong with them. With solar, you always want to catch issues before they become big problems, so if you can find an installer that openly shares their knowledge, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
While discussing the various options you have and how the different products work, you should also ask the potential installer to go over the various warranties with you. Solar panels are expensive to buy and repair, so you want to ensure you get panels with a decent warranty.
Credentials and Experience
If you’re looking to hire a company that works in a field you know nothing about, asking about their credentials and experience is crucial. While an engineer might be able to tell the quality of someone’s installation work by simply looking at it, the average Joe can’t.
You want to ensure they have industry-standard certifications that show they know what they’re doing and are meeting all the necessary safety precautions.
Next, you want to find out a bit about their experience. The following questions are good examples of what you should ask any potential solar installers:
- How long have you been in the industry?
- How long have you worked with this specific product?
- How many projects similar to mine have you completed?
In this step, it’s also a good idea to ask for some references. Specifically, ask to speak to people that had projects similar to yours done. You can then ask these people all the nitty gritty questions about how they experienced their service.
If you’re using a local company, you can even ask some of the references if they’d be comfortable letting you view their solar panels. If you can see their work up close and personal, you might get a better idea of what you’re signing up for.
Get Various Quotes
When it comes to finding the best installer, you also have to consider your budget. What might be the best for your neighbor isn’t the best for you.
It doesn’t help if you bankrupt yourself trying to get the best solar panels installed, so you need to decide before you start looking at quotes what you can realistically afford. This is why you need to get a few quotes from different solar installers. Ensure they give you a detailed quote listing the products they’ll be using and how long the project will take them to complete.
Don’t just pick the cheapest quote! It can be tempting, as solar panels aren’t cheap, to begin with, but if they aren’t installed properly, you’ll spend more money to get it fixed. If you’ve done your research and the cheapest quote still looks like the best option, you can go ahead and hire them.
Choose the Best Solar Installer for Your Needs
When picking a solar installer, you must consider your needs and budget. You want to get the best service for your money, but you also don’t want to end up going over what you planned to spend. This is why you must consider a few solar panel installation companies.
If you enjoyed this article and want to find out how solar can help you in your everyday life, check out our working-from-home section for more content.
