Why Choose a Solar Provider?
When it comes to solar panel installation, you want to work with a company that has a strong reputation and offers warranties on their equipment. Companies that don’t have these protections can be forced out of business if customers take legal action.
You also need to look for a solar provider that has local branches with excellent customer service ratings. Choosing a company that services your area can save you money in the long run.
Financing
Solar is a home improvement project that can improve the value of your property and save you money on your energy bills. A number of financing options are available to help you make your solar panel purchase.
Personal Loan: If you don’t have enough equity in your home to cover the full cost of a solar system, a personal loan is an option that can help you spread the cost over time. Depending on the lender, personal loans for solar panels can come with repayment terms ranging from one to seven years.
Home Equity: You can borrow up to 85% of the value of your home through a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). These loans are secured against your property, and they may offer lower interest rates than unsecured financing alternatives.
A Solar as a Service or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is another option to finance your solar installation. These agreements can be more cost-effective than other types of financing, and they allow you to take advantage of tax credits and incentives.
Installation
If you opt for a solar panel installation from a solar provider, you’ll be getting an expert who will install your system and be on hand to help with monitoring your system after it’s up and running. They will also be able to offer advice on how you can use your panels and inverter more effectively.
The best solar companies are dedicated to providing a quality experience from start to finish. These providers will take the time to carefully consider your needs, design a custom system and provide you with full tutorials upon commissioning.
They will also work with you on your financing options if you need them to, such as net metering or SRECs.
A solar provider’s installation timeline will depend on their ability to get permits, which can take one or two months, and the number of projects in their pipeline. In general, they’ll want to be able to install your system within a reasonable amount of time.
Monitoring
Solar monitoring options provide the ability to track your system’s performance and make changes as needed. This is a great way to ensure you are getting the most from your system and avoid a higher electric bill.
Most solar systems include a monitoring software package that can be accessed remotely or onsite with the solar power inverter. These software packages can be a good investment as they allow you to monitor your system and keep tabs on its performance at any time of day.
These systems can also help you regulate your energy use by tracking consumption statistics on individual appliances such as the heating system or electric hot water geyser. By knowing exactly how much power each appliance uses, you can make the most of your solar energy.
Several companies offer these solutions, including Enphase, SolarEdge and SMA. The three offer module-level monitoring capabilities, complete with web portals and mobile apps for easy access to your solar production data.
Maintenance
Solar systems, like any electronic device, are vulnerable to sudden surges in power. These can harm components or interrupt production, making a preventive maintenance schedule critical to protecting your investment.
Depending on the size and nature of your solar array, your provider can offer a variety of maintenance options to suit your needs. Some may even offer a full-service plan that includes everything from regular cleanings to critter guards and wiring upgrades.
With most solar operations and maintenance plans, a provider will perform a physical visit at least once a year to check on your system and spot any issues that might need attention. They will also use online apps or a home monitoring system to track your energy output and alert you if any abnormalities are detected.
Whether you have your own equipment or are leasing your system, a solar provider will help keep your system running smoothly and safely for years to come. This will ensure you receive a long-term return on your investment.