Tuesday, July 27, 2009
How Do I Choose The Best Company?
After you have made the decision that you want to install solar panels on your home,
you need to find a reliable company to buy them from and to install them. But how do you know who
to choose? Here are some tips to help you decide.
Experience counts. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where solar panel
installation has been ongoing, you may be able to locate a company which has been in business for
two or three decades. If so, they should be able to provide plenty of references for you to call.
It will also be easy to check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if they have a clean
record.
Ask them about the equipment they recommend, and do some research on the internet to
find some reviews of the manufacturers. Find out what kinds of warranties the equipments comes
with. Also, find out what kinds of warranties the contractor offers on labor and workmanship. It is
common to find 10-year warranties on the solar panels, and 3 to 10-year warranties on pumps,
inverters and controls. Workmanship should have at least a one year warranty.
Some installers have experience only in off-grid systems, and you may be concerned about them
working on your system if it will be tied to the grid. It is true that there are definite
differences between installing the two systems. But off grid systems are much more complex than
grid tied systems An off grid installer will most likely be quite capable of connecting your system
to the local power company, especially since he or she will be monitored by the local building
inspectors.
Membership in a professional organization for alternative energy vendors might be
another indicator of professionalism. But find out first what the requirements are to join the
organization before you decide to be impressed. Memberships are voluntary, and some only require
paying a fee. Other organizations (like the Solar Energies Industries Association) require
continuing education and field experience in order to qualify for membership.
The best recommendation is always word of mouth from a trusted source. If you know
someone who has recently had solar panels installed, ask them if they would recommend the company
they used. You can also ask a local real estate agent. They usually know the trustworthy
contractors in town.
|
|
