Buying and installing solar panels is a big investment and you therefore need to be sure that you choose the right professionals to help you install and set up your solar system. Some people have purchased the best solar systems in the market, but they still do not serve them well because of mistakes made during installation. Being a market that is growing by the day, there are many people out there looking to cash in from it. So if you are not careful when choosing professionals to work with, you might end up with untrustworthy contractors who will do a shoddy job. This will end up costing you a lot in the long run, as you will probably have to redo the installation or replace some components of the system in the near future. Additionally, the system might be very inefficient, and you will therefore waste a lot of energy. This article highlights a few tips to help you choose professionals to set up your solar system.
- Certification
Check that the installers you hire are certified by the appropriate body in your country. This is proof that the installers underwent the necessary training and are licensed to provide you with installation services. It is also important that the installers are certified so that you can send your excess power to the grid and get paid for it. If your installers are not certified, you will not qualify for this. On the same note, you should find out who will do the actual installation. This is because it is not uncommon for companies to subcontract these services to another firm. The subcontracting company should also be certified. Another reason why it is important for the installers to be licensed and certified is because your warranty will be void if you use installers who are not certified.
- Home visit
It is only by visiting your home that the installer will be able to assess whether solar panels can be installed on your roof. If your roof is covered by trees or other tall buildings and therefore does not get enough exposure to the sun, it might not be a good idea to install solar panels on it. This can only be determined by physical inspection. From the home visit, the installer will also be able to advise you on whether your roof is in good shape for solar panel installation or some work needs to be done on it first. Therefore, the installer should be willing to come and inspect your home and give you your options.
- References
Ask the installer to provide you with a list of references so that you can contact some of them and find out whether they were happy with the work done. You should also read client testimonials on their website and on other independent sites. If you have friends or neighbors who have solar panels, ask them who did the installation for them, and whether they would recommend them. This way, you will not blindly hire an installer and then start regretting later on.