Buyer Beware

When you are looking to invest your hard earned money on a solar electric system it is important that you choose an integrator with the capabilities and experience to ensure that your system is installed properly and the company will be around to honor any warranties.

Many of these so called solar experts are coming out of the woodwork taking a 2 day seminar and then call themselves qualified solar integrators and “experts.”

It is frustrating for experienced solar professionals to see all of the misinformation and misrepresentation being given out to homeowners and business owners by installers that do not have the experience and understanding of how solar works and the installation process.

We certainly do not want to prevent anyone from making a living or adding a value to their existing clientele however it is important for customers looking to invest in a photovoltaic system to have accurate information to use in their decision making process.

Another good way to weed out the smaller, unstable companies is whether or not the company will accept the rebate assignment.  In the State of NJ the rebate can be reassigned to the installer allowing that installer to wait for the state’s money rather than making you the system owner wait.  If your chosen solar integrator will not accept the rebate assignment, they are most likely not financially secured.

Ask for references and number of projects designed and installed. 

Our company has received calls from customers who have purchased solar electric systems from some of these inexperienced integrators and have systems that are either not working at all or not producing the kWh estimated to them by the integrator.  9 times out of 10 the system is poorly functioning due to design flaws, poor installation techniques & or poor quality materials. 

You can find information on the web at places such as www.solar-estimate.org on installers in your area.  These listings are verified through actual business verification through contractorcheck.com and customer referrals.  Renergy is a prescreened Solar Pro with www.solar-estimate.org.

Again, buyers beware; take note of who your chosen integrator is.  You also want to ask if the installation crew are employees of the company you choose and not subcontracted to do the work. If your roof should become damaged from a poor installation you want to know that the company you are dealing with has the proper insurance. Nothing could be worse then the company you purchased your system from telling you they are not responsible and you will have to deal with the subcontractor.

Remember you are paying for wattage installed and recouping your money on wattage produced (in the form of solar RECS and net metering)  It is imperative to your bottom line to choose an installer that can engineer an efficient system that will produce the most wattage as possible.  In many cases, using highly efficient products in conjunction with a system that is designed properly, will reduce the number of watts installed and keep the same number of kilowatt hours produced.  That means less money out of your pocket with the same number of SRECS and kWh produced.  All of this equals a faster payback on your system and more years of TRUE, FREE energy from the sun.

Dealing with the right company will allow for a smoother installation time, more efficient system and less problems in the long run.