Home Installation The Top 10 Questions to Ask a Solar Company Before Signing

The Top 10 Questions to Ask a Solar Company Before Signing

by Know it All Solar Nerds

If you’re considering going solar in your home, you might be about to make an excellent decision for many reasons! You can reap countless benefits by installing a solar power system in your home, like the environmental impact and cost savings. However, before you sign a solar lease or buy a system, it’s important to receive answers to all of your solar questions. 

Purchasing a solar power system isn’t typically an impulse buy. It can be a very large purchase for many homeowners, so it’s worth spending ample time thinking about whether or not going solar would be a wise investment. Plus, the solar industry is complicated and confusing! If you’re wondering how solar panels will affect your electricity bill, what type of solar panels you should buy, or how much it costs to install a solar power system, you won’t be confused for much longer. 

To help you through this process, we’ve gathered a list of helpful questions to ask before signing a contract. Here are ten of the most important questions to ask solar companies before going solar. 

10 Questions to Ask Solar Companies

What are the benefits of going solar?

Many homeowners go solar to save money on their electricity bills. It’s a good idea to ask this question to solar companies, as companies might have different opportunities you can benefit from. We’ll get more into solar power costs shortly. Beyond cost savings, there are so many more benefits to going solar.

When you switch from fossil fuels to solar energy, you’ll benefit the environment. Reduce your carbon footprint by harnessing renewable energy from the sun. Solar energy generation reduces water and soil pollution, carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, noise pollution, and public health issues.

You can be paid for excess energy produced by your solar panels. Feed-in tariffs are credits that solar customers receive for any unused electricity their solar panels produce and send back to the power grid. Many Australian homeowners can take advantage of this opportunity offered by various electricity plans. Typically a set rate per kilowatt-hour, this credit is added to your bill, lowering your electricity costs. 

You have more control over your power bill with solar energy. In fact, one of the most effective ways to gain more control over your electricity bill is to switch to solar. Aside from making sustainable choices to lower your bill, you can avoid ever-increasing utility rates by locking in a fixed solar power rate with a lease, paying per kilowatt-hour via a signed PPA, or removing your system from the grid completely.

Your property value could increase with solar panels on your roof. According to this Australian solar blog, having solar panels on your roof could help you sell your home up to 20% faster than homes without solar panels. The Real Estate Survey of Australia states that over 85% of people agree that solar power systems increase the value of their property. Furthermore, studies found that your home value could increase by up to $6,000 or 3-4% of your home’s value per 1 kilowatt of solar installed.

Is my house ideal for a solar power system?

This is a fundamental question on this list, as it directly impacts the cost and savings of your solar power system. Solar companies can guide you to decide whether or not your home is an ideal candidate for solar. You can also learn where you should install your solar panels. Here are three things to consider!

How much sunlight does your house receive, and in which direction does your roof face? The amount of sunlight affects the efficiency and cost of running your home on solar energy. If your place is totally drenched in shade, solar panels might not be a realistic option.

What is the cost of energy in your area? Electricity prices differ throughout Australia, so it’s important to check the difference between rates and utility companies. High costs might make your home less ideal for going solar. 

How does a solar power system work?

In this article, we go into greater detail about how solar power systems and battery storage systems work. It’s important to understand exactly how a grid-tied system vs. an off-grid system works so you can make the right decision for your home. Different systems cost different amounts of money and require different levels of maintenance. 

Essentially, your solar power panels will harness the sun’s energy to generate electricity. The amount of sunlight that your panels receive determines how much energy can be produced. Sunlight shines on the solar panels, and the energy travels through a solar converter that converts it into electricity that your appliances can use. If you add a battery storage unit to your system, the switchboard will direct the excess energy into your battery, storing it for later use. 

Talk to your solar provider to better understand exactly how their specific system works with your home and in tandem with the utility grid.

How should I finance my solar power system?

There are a few different options for financing your solar power system. One option is buying the whole system upfront so that you own it. Another option is to sign a solar lease or a PPA, which means another company would own your system and you’d rent it from them. Owning your solar system allows you to benefit from the local and federal incentives and tax credits, but you’ll have to develop a considerable upfront cost. This could be anywhere between $4,000 and $20,000 depending on the size of the system and the area in which you live.

A solar lease is a rental agreement where you pay a fixed monthly fee to use another company’s solar panels and system. A PPA is another type of rental agreement, but you pay per kilowatt-hour as you use the energy. While you won’t own your solar system and cannot take advantage of many of the cost-saving opportunities, you won’t have a massive upfront cost to pay. This question will lead to a discussion about how much it will cost to rent or own a solar power system.

How much money will I save switching to solar from fossil fuels?

Solar companies will be able to provide you with a quote on how much it will cost to install solar panels in your home. The company can also calculate your savings when switching from your current system to solar. 

If you own your system, you’ll be able to consider the federal solar tax credit and other incentives. A typical system in an optimal home will pay itself off after 6-8 years. If you rent through a solar lease or PPA, you might only be saving a few dollars a month. However, if you purchase with a loan or cash, you’ll benefit from automatic savings.

Which type of solar panels should I buy and what all comes in the system?

This question is best answered by solar companies you’re looking to buy from. They’ll lay out all the solar panel and system options for you. Two of the most popular panels are photovoltaic (PV) panels called monocrystalline and polycrystalline. You’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each option, from their looks to their efficiencies to their costs. 

Will my solar panel system come with a warranty?

Many accredited solar companies offer warranties for energy, workmanship, and solar panels. It’s smart to ask this question to companies so you can compare the lengths and terms. You’ll want to know if the warranty covers damage, improper installation, or defective panels. You’ll also want to ask how to claim your warranty if that time ever comes. Checking out the reviews from other customers is also a good idea when seeking more information about warranties.

How does solar installation work?

Solar installation is an integral part of the solar power system process. Depending on whether you buy or lease the system, you’ll want to nail down who will install the solar power system. If you pay a company to install your panels, ensure that an accredited company with licensed workers is on duty! Also, consider asking how long the installation will take. If you’re paying a company to install the system for you, you’ll want to know when the noise will occur on your roof!

If you’re installing the system yourself, you’ll want to be extra prepared for this task. Your solar company can help layout the installation process to make it simpler for you. If you choose to purchase a DIY solar kit, you’ll want to make sure you trust the company you’re buying from. Often, they can be very helpful with the installation process!

How will maintenance of the solar system work?

Over time, maintenance will likely be needed on your solar power system. Machines aren’t perfect! Depending on your rental agreement or ownership of the panels, you might want to hire a crew to take care of any maintenance issues along the way. You’ll also need to regularly clean and inspect your panels to keep them performing optimally. 

You’ll also need to consider the degradation of solar panels due to dirt, pollen, and other environmental factors. You’ll notice if the efficiency of your system is falling because your electricity bill will reflect it!

How long will the solar panels and system last?

How long will you be able to depend on your solar panels and solar power system? The durability of your system depends on many factors, but having a conversation with different companies can give you a great comparison of reliability. Solar panel technology is constantly evolving and improving. Currently, the average solar company will claim that their panels will be able to perform at optimal efficiency for at least 25 years.

Know It All Solar is the best resource in Australia for everything solar whether you’re comparing different brands, systems, rebates or installers. The nerds at Know It All Solar are here to help.

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