How to Select the Best Solar Contractor for Your Home

The Growing Case for Solar Energy

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, reducing or eliminating electric bills while providing clean energy. System costs have dropped significantly over the past decade while efficiency has improved, making solar accessible to more homeowners. Federal tax credits, state incentives, and net metering programs improve financial returns.

Selecting the right solar contractor determines system performance, longevity, and satisfaction with your investment. Quality installation ensures panels operate at rated capacity and withstand weather conditions. Poor installation creates problems ranging from roof leaks to underperforming systems.

Solar System Components

Solar panels form the visible part of systems but other components are equally important. Inverters convert DC power from panels to AC power used by homes. String inverters serve entire arrays while microinverters attach to individual panels, offering advantages in partially shaded conditions.

Mounting systems secure panels to roofs or ground structures. Roof mounts must seal penetrations properly preventing leaks. Ground mounts work well when roof space is limited or orientation is poor. Racking systems should withstand local wind and snow loads.

Battery Storage Options

Battery systems store excess solar production for use after sunset or during outages. Lithium-ion batteries dominate the residential market offering good energy density and declining costs. Battery capacity measured in kilowatt-hours determines how long stored energy lasts.

Not all solar installations include batteries. Grid-tied systems without storage cost less but lose power during utility outages. Hybrid systems with batteries provide backup power and maximize solar energy utilization.

Evaluating Solar Contractors

Experience installing residential solar systems matters significantly. Look for contractors with hundreds of completed installations rather than companies new to solar. Established contractors have refined processes and resolved common installation challenges.

Manufacturer certifications indicate training on specific products and installation techniques. Most major panel and inverter manufacturers offer certification programs. Certified installers often provide better warranties and have access to manufacturer technical support.

Licensing & Insurance

Verify contractors hold appropriate electrical licenses for your state. Solar installation is electrical work requiring licensed electricians in most jurisdictions. General contractor licenses alone are insufficient for electrical components.

Insurance coverage must include general liability, workers' compensation, and often additional policies covering roof work. Request certificates of insurance and verify coverage directly with insurers. Inadequate insurance exposes you to liability for injuries or property damage.

Getting Accurate System Designs

Reputable contractors perform detailed site assessments before proposing systems. They evaluate roof condition, orientation, shading, electrical service capacity, and structural load capacity. Satellite imagery provides starting points but in-person assessment is important for accurate designs.

Shading analysis using specialized tools determines how trees, buildings, or other obstructions affect production. Even partial shade significantly reduces panel output. Knowing about the shading patterns throughout the year helps contractors design optimal systems.

System Sizing Considerations

Proper system sizing balances energy production with roof space, budget, and utility interconnection limits. Review 12 months of electric bills to understand usage patterns.

Energy efficiency improvements before solar installation reduce required system size and costs. LED lighting, insulation upgrades, and efficient appliances lower overall energy needs allowing smaller, less expensive solar arrays.

Comparing Proposals & Pricing

Obtain detailed proposals from at least three contractors. Proposals should specify panel brands and models, inverter types, mounting systems, warranties, estimated production, costs, available incentives, and financing options. Generic proposals lacking specifics make comparison impossible.

Cost per watt allows comparison between different-sized systems. Total system costs divided by DC watts gives this metric. However, focus on cost per watt of expected production rather than installed capacity since efficiency varies.

Solar Quotes

Proposals should include first-year production estimates and 25-year projections accounting for panel degradation. Conservative production estimates are more reliable than aggressive projections.

Ask how contractors calculated savings estimates. Assumptions about utility rate increases significantly affect projected savings. Some contractors use optimistic rate escalation to inflate perceived benefits. Base decisions on current rates and modest future increases.

Financing & Incentives

Cash purchases offer highest long-term returns but require upfront capital. Solar loans spread costs over 10-25 years. Compare interest rates, fees, and terms carefully. Some loans include dealer fees added to principal, increasing total costs.

Solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) require little or no upfront costs. However, you don't own the system and don't receive tax credits. Leases make sense for homeowners without tax liability to use credits.

Federal & State Incentives

The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides tax credit for solar installations. This directly reduces federal tax liability dollar-for-dollar. State and local incentives vary widely from additional tax credits to rebates and performance payments.

Net metering credits excess production at retail rates in many states. Your meter runs backward when producing more than consuming. These credits offset usage when production is insufficient. Net metering policies significantly impact system economics.

Reviewing Warranties

Solar equipment carries multiple warranties covering different components and issues. Panel manufacturers typically provide 25-year performance warranties guaranteeing minimum output levels and 10-25 year product warranties covering defects.

Inverter warranties range from 10-25 years depending on type and manufacturer. Extended warranties are available for many products. Understand what each warranty covers, how long coverage lasts, and claim procedures.

Installation Workmanship Warranties

Installation warranties cover roof penetrations, wiring, mounting integrity, and other workmanship issues. Good contractors offer 5-10 year workmanship warranties. Some provide longer coverage or detailed service agreements.

Understand who handles warranty claims. Some warranties require contacting manufacturers while others route through contractors. Know claim procedures before problems arise to streamline resolution.

Permitting & Interconnection

Solar installations require building permits and utility interconnection approval. Reputable contractors handle permitting and interconnection paperwork as part of their service. Verify permit submission and approval before installation begins.

Interconnection processes vary by utility. Some approve applications quickly while others take weeks or months. Contractors familiar with local utilities understand typical timelines and requirements. Delays are common, so plan accordingly.

Inspection & Approval

Building inspections verify code compliance. Most jurisdictions require electrical and structural inspections. Contractors schedule inspections after installation but before utility interconnection. Address any inspection failures promptly.

Utility permission to operate (PTO) comes after passing inspections. Only energize systems after receiving PTO. Operating without permission violates utility agreements and can result in disconnection.

Installation Process

Solar installations typically take one to three days for residential systems. Contractors install mounting hardware, attach panels, run wiring, install inverters and disconnect switches, and test systems. Weather and roof complexity affect timelines.

Roof condition matters for successful installation. Contractors should evaluate roof age and condition during site assessment. Installing solar on roofs needing replacement soon wastes money since removing and reinstalling panels when reroofing costs thousands.

What to Expect During Installation

Most work occurs on roofs with minimal indoor disruption. Inverter and electrical work requires some interior access. Inform contractors about interior access limitations, pets, or other considerations.

Power may be disconnected briefly during electrical work. Plan for these interruptions if working from home or running medical equipment requiring continuous power. Contractors should communicate about planned outages.

System Monitoring & Maintenance

Modern solar systems include monitoring showing real-time and historical production. Monitoring apps alert you to problems so issues can be addressed quickly. Review monitoring regularly to verify expected performance.

Solar panels require minimal maintenance. Rain typically cleans panels in most climates. Some areas with heavy dust or pollen may benefit from occasional washing. Avoid abrasive cleaning methods that damage panels.

Performance Monitoring

Compare actual production to estimates from proposals. Seasonal variation is normal with higher summer and lower winter production. Significant underperformance suggests problems requiring contractor attention.

Inverter displays show system status and any error codes. Familiarize yourself with normal displays so you recognize abnormal conditions. Contact contractors immediately if monitoring shows problems or production drops unexpectedly.

Property Value & Resale

Studies show solar systems increase home values, typically adding to sales prices. However, owned systems add more value than leased systems. Some buyers prefer avoiding lease complications and monthly payments.

Transferring solar leases or PPAs during home sales can complicate transactions. Some buyers decline properties with leases. If leasing, understand transfer processes and possible impacts on home sales.

Portable vs. Permanent Systems

Some contractors offer portable solar systems moved during relocation. However, removal and reinstallation costs often exceed benefits. Most homeowners leave systems with homes and install new systems at new properties.

Maintaining system documentation including contracts, warranties, monitoring data, and maintenance records helps during home sales. Buyers want assurance systems to work properly and warranties remain valid.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

High-pressure sales tactics suggest contractors prioritize closing deals over customer satisfaction. Reputable contractors provide information and allow time for decision-making without pressure. Avoid contractors pushing immediate decisions.

Unrealistic production or savings claims indicate dishonest contractors. Solar provides real benefits but cannot eliminate all electric bills in most cases. Be skeptical of claims seeming too good to be true.

Red Flags to Watch

Contractors avoiding site visits before proposals cannot provide accurate system designs. Satellite measurements miss shading, roof condition, and structural issues affecting installations. Insist on in-person assessments.

Incomplete proposals lacking specific equipment information, production estimates, or warranty details make informed decisions impossible. Request proposals from all contractors for accurate comparison.

Long-Term Considerations

Solar panels last 25-30 years with gradual performance decline. Inverters typically need replacement after 10-15 years. Budget for inverter replacement when evaluating system economics.

Roof replacement during panel life requires removing and reinstalling arrays. Choose quality roofing materials lasting as long as panels when reroofing before solar installation. This avoids expensive removal and reinstallation.

Planning for System End-of-Life

Panel recycling programs are developing as early installations reach end-of-life. Some manufacturers offer recycling programs. Plan for responsible disposal rather than landfilling panels containing valuable materials.

After 25-30 years, evaluate replacing aging systems with newer, more efficient technology. Solar technology continues advancing with higher efficiency panels and better storage options becoming available.