Switching to solar is a decision that pays dividends for years, even decades. But getting there involves finding the right installer, asking the right questions and knowing what a quality solar installation looks like. When you search for solar panel installation near me, you want reliable results, not the highest bidder or the most eye-catching ad.
The solar industry has exploded and brought both excellent and less reliable installers into the market. Knowing the difference helps protect your investment and ensures your system will perform as it should for the life of the system.
What Distinguishes a Quality Solar Installer
Not all solar installers do things the same way. The best ones have a deep understanding of electrical systems plus real-world experience with residential solar power systems. They’ll look at your house carefully before recommending a system size. And they’ll tell you why, in plain language, not a bunch of technical mumbo jumbo.
A good installer is licensed and insured. This is not negotiable. Solar installation is structural work on your roof and a lot of electrical work in your house. Both can be done safely and correctly by a licensed electrical contractor who has experience with solar. You may be offered a better price by an unlicensed installer, but the hidden costs of improper installation can be great.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Solar Installer
Before you go with any solar installer, there are a few key questions to ask directly. First, ask them if they are a licensed electrical contractor or if they sub-contract the electrical part of the job. Second, ask how long they have been installing solar systems and if they can give you any local customer references.
Third, ask specifically about how they handle permits and utility interconnection. A skilled, professional installer will be able to answer all these questions easily and confidently. If a person dodges or dismisses the questions, they are telling you something important about how they operate.
Understanding Your Solar System Components
But a residential solar installation has more parts than the panels. The panels take in energy from the sun and make electricity, direct current. An inverter converts that direct current into the alternating current your home runs on. The panels are wired to an inverter . The inverter is wired to your electrical panel .
Some systems even have battery storage so you can store excess energy to use at nite or during a power outage. Adding battery storage increases the upfront cost, but also your energy independence and the value of your system. Your installer should guide you through the options and help you determine what makes sense for your home and budget.
How your current electrical panel impacts solar installation
Your home’s electrical panel has a major impact on how a solar system is installed and how well it functions. Older or undersized panels may not be compatible with a solar inverter, and may not be able to safely handle the additional circuits that a solar installation brings.
In some cases, a panel upgrade will be needed or recommended before solar panels can be installed. “That adds to the project timeline and cost, but means your home gets a fully modernized electrical system along with its new solar array. A good electrician will see this need immediately when he comes to look and will talk to you openly about it. If you are looking for solar panel installation near me, you should look for contractors that look at your entire electrical system, not just the roof.
The Financial Advantages of Going Solar Now
Financially, the case for solar has never been better. Electricity prices have been rising steadily for the last decade and there’s no sign of that reversing. A solar system insulates you from those increases by producing your own electricity at a fixed cost that does not vary with the utility rate schedule.
The federal Investment Tax Credit lets homeowners deduct a significant amount of their solar installation costs from their federal income taxes. Many states and utilities also have additional incentives, rebates or net metering programs that improve the economics of going solar. An installer in your area who knows his stuff can walk you through all of the incentives available in your area and help you maximize them.
Voltec Electric, Rogers, Arkansas, offers licensed expertise and a family-owned dedication to quality for every solar project. Their team takes care of the entire residential solar installation process, from initial assessment to permitting, installation and utility interconnection.
Conclusion
First off, you’ll want to know what to look for in terms of quality solar panel installation near me. Look for licensed, insured contractors with real solar experience and a history of honest communication. Ask the right questions, know the components of your system and take advantage of the financial incentives that make solar more accessible than ever. A properly installed solar system is an investment that pays you back Monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many solar panels does the average home need?
The number of panels depends on your home’s energy consumption, the wattage of the panels you choose, and how much of your electricity you want to offset with solar. A licensed installer will review your utility bills and calculate a system size that meets your goals. Most residential systems range from ten to twenty-five panels.
Q2: What happens to my solar system during a power outage?
A standard grid-tied solar system will shut down during a power outage as a safety measure to protect utility workers. If you want power during an outage, you will need a battery storage system paired with your solar installation. Your installer can help you evaluate whether battery backup makes sense for your needs.
Q3: How long do solar panels last?
Most solar panels are designed to last twenty-five to thirty years, and many continue producing electricity well beyond that. Panel output does decrease gradually over time, a process called degradation, but quality panels typically retain more than eighty percent of their original output after twenty-five years of use.
