If you’re planning to install a PV solar rooftop system for your home, you’ll want to know what your options are. If you’ve already decided to hire a solar systems installer-contractor, or even just a “solar system coach,” then you can go online and visit the NABCEP website (details below).
First and foremost, double-check that the prospective solar PV installer has received training and a professional certification to prove their knowledge and competence. Many states require solar contractors to meet some type of licensing requirements. If your state isn’t one of those, you’ll need to confirm your contractor’s credentials yourself to ensure a job well done. The most acceptable seal of approval comes from the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP), which now certifies solar PV installers across the USA.
You can use the NABCEP website (www.nabcep.org/certified-installer-locator) to find professionals in your area who have received their certification. Many states now require that you use an NABCEP-certified installer in order to participate in any incentive programs. Here’s the website of the NABCEP, where you can locate solar installers in most cities in the USA: www.nabcep.org/certification/pv-installer-certification.
If you’re not able to find an installer with an NABCEP certification, you can look for other certifications to guarantee the professional installation of your solar electric system. Many states require that a licensed electrician be on your installation team. Not all licensed electricians are familiar with PV systems, so ask if they have received solar-specific training and/or possess experience installing solar systems. Any good professional installer or electrician should be happy to provide you with references from a couple previous customers. While you’re at it, you might ask whether the potential installer has received formal training installing the particular brand of solar equipment you plan to buy. Many manufacturers offer continuing education to solar installers to ensure that they’re familiar with all the features and intricacies of their unique systems and updates to their technology. Here are some guiding questions you can ask when contacting the provided references:
• How long did it take to complete the installation, from initial site visit through to the completion of the project?
• Were there any challenges involved in the installation of the solar system? If so, how did the installer cope with these challenges?
• How has the system performed since it was installed? Has it met expectations for efficiency and good service?
• How have any requests for maintenance been handled by the installer? Did it take long for the installer to respond and was the maintenance service satisfactory?
Solar Power World is one of the solar industry’s leading sources of information for solar technology, developments, and installation news. This organization recently published a list of the leading 250 solar contractors in the USA. The list ranks companies according to the volume of PV systems they have installed in the residential and commercial solar energy markets. Residential installations are listed separately. This resource may provide you with some useful contacts: www.solarpowerworldonline.com/top-250-solar-contractors.
Your state will have a contractor’s licensing board, through which you can verify the credentials of the potential solar PV installer. I strongly recommend you contact them before signing any contracts, as the board should be able to alert you to any serious complaints received against a specific installer. Finally, be sure to verify the presence of sufficient liability insurance by asking to see your contractor’s insurance papers.
Having an installer who is up-to-date on all of the latest advances in the ever-evolving world of solar photovoltaics is a major plus. The PV solar industry sees new technologies for improving efficiencies and boosting performance on almost a monthly basis. The more current your installer’s knowledge is, the more likely he’ll be able to provide the highest-efficiency system for your unique situation, while averting any potential problems.
In many cases, experience will be just as important as formal training. Since structured certification and training programs are just now becoming conventional, there are many installers who have been apprenticed into their current positions, and their experience can be highly valuable. Here are some of the queries you should consider to see whether your prospective installer’s company is well-seasoned:
• Does the company have experience with both grid-tied and off-grid systems?
• How long has the company been in business, and how many solar energy installations have they completed? Installers who have completed a large number of installations over many years will have ample experience to ensure you get good results.
• Determine whether the company has both commercial and residential experience.
• Ask the installer to describe their last installation. Was it recent or some time ago?
• What types of add-on technologies have the company installed to improve monitoring and system efficiency?
Long-term customer service is of paramount importance when choosing a solar installer. Your final query for any solar installer should have to do with how they will treat you over the long term. In all likelihood, you should consider choosing an installer with warranties and service agreements that will make your solar installation a hassle-free investment over the life of the system.
If your solar products don’t come with their own warranties from the manufacturer, you should ask whether the installer will warranty the equipment. Whether the warranty comes from the manufacturer or the installer, you should try to obtain coverage for the greatest number of conditions over the longest possible time to make sure you’re not left with any bills for repairs to a non-functioning or defective system.
Figuring out what exactly is included in the service agreement offered by a solar installer can be tricky, especially if the agreement is full of legal terminology and technical information. Here are a few contractual questions to ask your proposed solar contractor:
• For how many years will service be provided after the installation?
• Are the installers certified to provide maintenance to a PV solar rooftop system?
• Will you receive any training from the installer on how to maintain your solar system for maximum energy production?
• Will a yearly check-up be performed on your system to determine whether it’s performing as expected?
• Are web-based monitoring systems available to track the system’s performance?
• What types of repairs and replacements does the service agreement cover?
• Does the service agreement state a guaranteed maximum length of time between a service request and the service call?
• What happens when the equipment doesn’t perform as efficiently as promised? Are adjustments to improve efficiency included in the service agreement?
• Once the service agreement expires, how much will the installer charge you for repairs or service? Is it based on the cost of the new parts used plus an hourly rate?
As with all other inquiries during your evaluation of potential installers, the answers you receive from any major equipment vendors (for PV modules, inverters, etc.) will also give you a clear idea of how you’ll be treated as a customer over the long-term. Once you’ve asked all of your questions and determined that you’ve found the right installer, get the installer’s commitments in writing so you receive exactly the service you’ve been promised.
Lastly, if a relatively large photovoltaic system will be installed on your roof, you might want to hire a licensed roofer to calculate the stress the proposed new system will place on your home’s structure. It’s important to determine whether the load will be within safety tolerances. The size and type of your home PV system will determine the weight of the installation and will play a significant role in determining how to safely and securely fasten the equipment and support hardware to the roof surface.
