Green Living

This is Part 3 in my Ready, Set, Go Solar, Los Angeles series for YDT. In my first post, I talked about Solar Economics 101. Part II was a brief self-check to see if you and your home are right for solar. In some ways, choosing your installer is perhaps the most important post of all.

A good installer is going to make sure that your system is designed properly to get the most solar power out of your panels—and your solar investment. Second, a good installer will ensure that your solar system is installed properly without roof leaks and with the proper equipment and up to electrical codes. Sloppy work or using cheap components may lead to leaks or electrical fires. Financially, the city could give you a lower rebate than promised by the installer.

So how do you know if your installer is qualified and experienced? Even with our SolarPowerRocks.com referral service, you have to do your homework. The business is so new that there are a lot of new, inexperienced installers out there that may have a fancy website, but have only installed one or two systems. No matter how nice or confident the sales person is, you have to check them out.

Top Solar Fred Tips:

• The most experienced installers usually have a full NABCEP certified solar designer on staff. NABCEP is an optional national certification program. There aren’t a lot of these guys out there right now, but they’re growing. There is also an “introductory” NABCEP Certification. This is not the same thing. The full NABCEP certification means that the solar designer has the equivalent of at least two years experience.

• If the installer’s designer isn’t NABCEP, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They should be in business for at least 2 years, however, and be happy to refer you to 2 to 3 local customers who’ve had their system for at least 1 year or longer. Drop by those homes. How do they look? Have these customers had any leaks? Are their electric bills being lowered by the amount promised? Did the installer complete the job on time and for the quoted price? These are great questions to ask referrals.

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  The installer should be on the State of California’s list as being a licensed solar contractor. If they’re not on this list, move on. If they’re only listed as a “retailer,” that means they’re subcontracting with someone. Ask this name, and make sure the subcontractor is on this contractor’s list.

• All things being equal, get 2 to 3 quotes and compare installed prices, apples to apples. The apples your comparing are $/watt DC/STC, installed price. For example, a price of $7/watt Direct Current/Standard Test Conditions is a better price than $7.25/watt DC/STC. Some installers will quote in “$/watt AC” or “$/watt DC PTC.” There’s also a new trend in quoting in “$/kWh produced.”  Either way, choose one unit and make the installers compute a price that’s in the same units.

• Compare solar panel warranties. At minimum, your solar panels should be warrantied for at least 20 years. Many panels are warrantied for 25 years.

• Compare installer warranties. The installer’s work should be warrantied for at least 5 years, bumper to bumper, against roof leaks and anything else going wrong.

• A good installer will warn you about the replacement costs of your inverter. Inverters are generally warrantied for 10 years and conk out somewhere between 10 to 15 years and will need to be replaced. The cost you will depend on your system size and how much inverters cost in 12 years or so. Prices could come down or about the same. The good news is that this replacement cost is minimal compared to the money you save in energy costs over that time. If the salesperson doesn’t warn you about the inverter, that’s unethical. Go with someone else.

• Don’t just go for the cheapest price. Honestly, experience does matter here. We’re talking about your roof and something that’s supposed to save you money over 20 to 2 5 years, not cost you money in roof or electrical repairs.

• Finally, don’t be pressured. Take your time. Do your homework and make sure the installer checks out. Then go with the best qualified for the best price.

This series is brought to you by Tor Valenza aka “Solar Fred.” Learn more about Tor at www.solarpowerrocks.com and on twitter @solarfred

Images via Solar Fred, Go Solar California.org, and Reason in Madness

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If you missed our recipe this week be sure to check it out.  We’ve got South Indian inspired Mulligatawny Soup, a spicy way to enjoy your leftover Turkey.

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Tags: L.A. Solar, L.A. solar incentives, L.A. Solar rebates, Los Angeles Solar, Los Angeles Solar Incentives, Los Angeles Solar power, solar installer, solar installer la, Solar rebates Los Angeles