Finding the right contractor is possibly the single most important part of a solar installation project. Homeowners choosing to go solar often are excited to start the process. Yet, it is important for consumers to thoroughly research contractors in addition to identifying and defining their own expectations. A trusting homeowner-contractor relationship will foster clear communication and prevent unnecessary complications. This guide will save you time, energy, and money by helping you find the right contractor for your solar job.
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Big vs. Local: Find Your Solar Installer
Take our solar personality quiz and see if you’re better suited to a big, national solar company or if a local solar contractor might be a better choice:
1. Do you plan to purchase or get a loan for your solar array?
2. Do you like being hands-on with planning?
3. Is your rooftop unique or will it require a specialized array?
4. Do you prefer to keep your dollars local?
5. Do you want to choose your own solar panel manufacturer?
6. Do your like having access to the top company official?
Looks like a big name solar company might be the way to go. Read on to find out why.
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 |
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|---|---|---|
| Big Name Company | Local Contractor | |
| Financing |
A big, national solar company might be best for you if: You plan to lease your system.Most large installers offer leasing options or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). These options make solar affordable and accessible to more people. Large installers are able to offer consumers these options because of their sheer size and capital. |
Small, local solar installer might be the best choice if: You’re buying or getting a loan for your solar system.Being able to take full advantage of tax exemptions, credits, and other solar incentives is a benefit to buying or financing the system. Shawn O’Meara with SUNWorks fully supports consumers buying or getting a loan to purchase the solar systems themselves. O’Meara notes that smaller installers that work at the regional or local level have established relationships with reputable lenders who can make that possible. |
| Brand |
You’re more comfortable with established brand names.
Many consumers enjoy the fact that large installers are well known and established throughout the country. Brand recognition helps to inspire trust and security especially when it is backed by a strong track record of installations. Homeowners may feel at peace knowing that their installer has deployed hundreds of MW’s as opposed to their smaller competitors. |
You want access to the top company official
If a consumer likes to talk with the head official of a company before they invest their money, local installers are the best option. Accessing the CEO of a 15-person company is more plausible than reaching the person in charge of a company with 10,000 employees. |
| Decision making |
You’re not interested in being hands-on with planning.
The business model of large installers is constrained to offering standardized, uniform systems. Customization and variance can threaten their purchasing power and decrease the number of customers acquired. Repeatability is critical when installing up to 1,000 systems per month. |
You want to be highly involved in decisions/planning vetting.
Local installers have the flexibility and capacity to give consumers their personal time and attention. O’Meara notes that with many large installers, consumers have no say as to what type of panel is purchased or how the system is installed. If a homeowner envisions being part of the design, purchase, and installation of the solar system and its components, a smaller installer is ideal. |
| Conventionality |
Your solar set up doesn’t need special configurations/panels.
Large installers are the way to go for homeowners seeking solar solutions that boast reliability through standard, “cookie-cutter” systems. Each house is unique. Depending on location, rooftop direction, slope, and other factors, your home may be a perfect candidate for the standard design and panel type offered by large installers. |
Your system requires specific panels (such as high-efficiency) or configuration.
Not all rooftops are created equal. This is an issue for big installers but not for local companies. The orientation of the roof, its slope and dimensions, its weight capacity, and other issues will determine whether the homeowner needs a customized design compared to a more standard one-size-fits-all system. O’Meara also notes that the quality of the panel and how it is installed can make a huge impact on energy output, impacting savings and return on investment. O’Meara suggests consumers do their homework to find the best contractor who can deliver a reliable and high-quality system within their budget. |
10 Questions to Ask Your Installer
No homeowner would ever let a total stranger renovate their home. To feel a certain level of comfort and security with the contractor, consumers are entitled to ask as many questions as necessary before committing. For contractors, being interviewed and evaluated is just part of the job and helps prevent complications down the road.
Solar expert Shawn O’Meara notes that choosing a contractor with a solid track record of experience and installations is critical. Ensuring the contractor is financially viable means they will be around when you have a problem.
Seeing first-hand the type of systems the contractor has installed can also help inform you of the quality of their workmanship. Related client testimonials can also help increase your comfort level.
Ideally, the contractor will assume these duties. However, filing paperwork and reviewing complicated documents can equal extra expenses for the contractor. Establish whether the homeowner or contractor will be responsible for these necessary activities.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner, or NABCEP, certification provides the public with a high degree of confidence, as practitioners meet the highest standards and qualifications to pass the exam.
Contractors typically must have a license to perform skilled labor on a person’s home. To become licensed, some states require the contractor to be bonded, protecting against shoddy workmanship. Liability insurance will cover contractor-caused damage.
Some cities have standard forms, caps on fees, and a streamlined review process. Other communities are not so fortunate. A knowledgeable contractor will be able to assess the time and money permitting will require.
Various factors can negatively impact energy output, resulting in lost savings for homeowners. Monitoring systems accessible remotely via the Internet and are an easy way to ensure that your system is working at full capacity.
A contractor might be offering the lowest price but at what cost? To save on installation expenses, contractors might be using cheaper, lower-quality panels or racking systems. O’Meara, notes that consumers should be investing in the highest quality panel they can afford because, in the long run, a less efficient panel or design can significantly decrease energy output and the systems long-term return on investment.
Compare between contractors to ensure the warranty offered is reasonable and feasible. Knowing a company’s history can help you predict whether or not the contractor will be around in the future when an issue arises. O’Meara also notes that manufacturer warranties on panels can cover workmanship and/or production and it is important to know the difference.
Most large installers use certified subcontractors to complete an installation project. These subcontractors need to be accredited. Homeowners can research which local installers the company uses before signing a contract.
Understanding Your Solar Quote
Consumers like to comparison shop before they buy, making sure they are getting the highest quality product for the best price. Deciding on a solar contractor should be no different. Satisfied customers do their homework, reviewing multiple options to make an informed decision. Proper research fosters peace of mind and is the foundation of any successful home improvement project. As a general rule of thumb, homeowners should obtain at least three quotes before deciding on the right solar system contractor.
Be Sure Your Solar Quote Includes:- The maximum amount of solar electricity, or wattage, the solar array will generate. This lets consumers know how much energy production they can expect from the array and compare that to their power needs. Wattage should be measured in AC watts, the type of electricity used in homes.
- A solar system is more than just the sum of its panels.The quote should present an itemized list of the materials to be provided, including, but not limited to: scaffolding, number, and type of panels, inverter, cable, meter, etc. The list should also include the cost for each item.
- The quote should list any services to be provided and their cost.This typically includes survey, design, installation, and warranty. Homeowners should also be aware of any special circumstances that may result in extra charges. Seeking total transparency in this area will help prevent any hidden costs, resolving budgetary issues between the consumer and the contractor before they arise.
- A one-step mathematical equation provides consumers with the figure to use for cost comparisons: the price per watt of generation. Find this number by simply taking the total price and dividing it by the maximum capacity.
The price per watt of generation is an easy way to compare between contractors, however, it should not be the only way. As O’Meara points out, some contractors will choose to install the cheapest panels or racking systems they can find. Others will find the easiest and fastest way to install wiring and conduit, resulting in an unattractive system.
Go with a reputable installer. An installer that doesn’t have a strong track record might not be around when you have a problem.
NABCEP Certified PV installer
In the end, the homeowner may have to spend extra to repair, replace, or remove the system. Along with cost, consumers should take into account the quality of the contractor by reviewing their track record as a successful solar installer.
Major Solar Companies: By The Numbers
There are fewer than a dozen major solar companies in the market, but that number seems to be increasing every year. Thanks to PPA and lease financing options offered by major installers more people have the ability to afford solar. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association,83 percent of residential solar systems installed over the last four years in New Jersey are third-party owned. With competition increasing in the residential solar market, major companies are seeking ways to stand out from the crowd. Explore this list of major U.S. solar installers to find out how.
2006
Power Purchasing Agreements (PPA), solar system leases, and upfront purchasing
870 MW
19 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
SolarCity is one-of-a-kind, offering sales, financing, design, installation, monitoring, and efficiency services from a single source, without needing the services of multiple third parties.
2001
In addition to providing job training, this solar company provides no- to very-low-cost solar power for low-income families and administers California’s single-family low-income solar incentive programs. They also work with tribes, multi-family housing projects, and international programs.
1.87 MW
California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization uses community partners, volunteers, and job trainees, to deploy solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families. This business model serves to provide energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean, local energy.
2007
Purchasing the system outright, securing a loan, or leasing the system
In 2010, Sungevity installed 4.7 megawatts of solar
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Sungevity uses contractors and their Remote Solar Design technology to customize and build a system. Sungevity is a Certified B Corporation, meeting social and environmental standards set by B Lab, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
1985
Lease through SunPower Capital, take out a loan, or purchase the system outright
Total solar energy generated since its inception: 18,000,000 MWh. This includes residential, commercial, and utility solar.
SunPower works wherever they have SunPower certified solar installers.
SunPower uses certified solar installers and specializes in developing high-quality, high-efficiency panels backed by a 25-year power and product warranty. They also focus on sustainability, with the only Cradle to Cradle® designation in the entire solar industry.
1978
Lease or purchase. However, some financing plans are not available in every state.
Real Goods Solar serves homes, businesses, schools, government facilities, and utilities across the country and has installed more than 235 MW of solar.
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. They also serve Hawaii as Sunetric.
RGS Energy’s employees perform installation services. This solar company is proud to serve as a community-minded solar service provider and has installed 22,500 solar energy systems and counting.
2011
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
More than 1 GW
Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington D.C.
This solar company uses its own employees to design, install, and maintain solar systems and prides itself on its customer service.
This solar company is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy. The parent company acquired Roof Solar Diagnostics in early 2014 to create NRG Home Solar.
Lease
According to NRG Energy’s annual report, the power company owns 1.2 GW of utility-scale solar systems, and 47 MW of distributed solar panels on rooftops (53 MW including systems under construction) in addition to 25 GW of natural gas power plants, 13 GW of coal generation, and 448 MW of wind farms.
Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
NRG Energy is a big player in the world of energy and is one of the largest solar developers. NRG Home Solar offers community solar – a system that allows you to purchase solar energy without having to put panels on your rooftop – to consumers in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York.
2012
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), lease. The company also offers an “EZ Pay PPA” option where the monthly payment is fixed, based on expected energy production. Sunnova will also buyback a solar system from another company and enter the owner into a fixed payment schedule.
Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey. It also operates in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Saipan
Sunnova subcontracts construction through its Sunnova Partner Network.
1999
Power Purchasing Agreements (PPA), solar system leases, and upfront purchasing
472.5 MW
23 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
SunRun, in operation for nearly two decades, focuses exclusively on residential projects and pioneered the solar lease model that other major companies now use. They use local contractors to complete installation projects.
Top 5 Tips to Choosing a Solar Contractor
Not sure where to begin when choosing a solar contractor for your home or business? The following tips can help you get started.
With so many variables that can impact the price of a solar system, on-site visits from solar analysts provide the most accurate and comprehensive quote.
Quotes provide a solid starting point to compare between contractors and choosing the right one for the job is easier when there is more than one to pick from.
ROI can vary wildly between states. Local experts in the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) market, tax incentives, rebates, and long-term financial planning are indispensable when going solar.
Solar companies will provide customer references. If the call sounds biased or rehearsed, ask to call someone from the customer list at random.
Solar installation is like any other major home improvement project. Thoroughly researching contractors will pay off in the end. Avoid the pressure to move quickly and take advantage of incentives.