Choose a Solar Installer: 7 Tips That Protect Your Wallet

ByCrazy Old Prepper

Verify credentials, compare bids fairly, sanity-check savings, pick the right financing and gear, and avoid red flags.

TL;DR for Skimmers

  • Check credentials: license, insurance, NABCEP.
  • Warranties you can use: workmanship, equipment, and roof penetration.
  • Compare bids apples-to-apples: models, DC vs AC kW, assumptions.
  • Pressure-test savings: shade study, weather data, utility rates, buyback.
  • Match financing to your goals: cash, loan, lease/PPA.
  • Pick the right design: string vs microinverters/optimizers; battery-ready.
  • Trust but verify: reputation, monitoring, service SLAs—plus roof and incentives details.

Introduction: The quote that made me pause

When I got my first solar quotes, the sales pitch was smooth. The numbers looked great. Then I asked for the license number and insurance cert—and the tone changed. That moment taught me the difference between a friendly salesperson and a professional solar installer who will stand behind their work for 25+ years.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by acronyms (NABCEP, PR, NOCT), rate plans, and warranty fine print—breathe. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how I vet installers, what I request in writing, and the red flags I avoid. It’s simple, repeatable, and it works whether you’re grid-tied, hybrid, or planning a battery later.

Tip 1: Verify Credentials (License • Insurance • NABCEP)

Goal: Confirm you’re hiring a qualified, insured contractor—not a pass-through sales outfit.

What I ask for (in writing, as PDFs):

  • State contractor license number + link to the state lookup page.
  • General liability (commonly $1M+) and workers’ comp certificates with active dates.
  • NABCEP certificate number and credential (e.g., PV Installation Professional).

Quick checks:

  • License is active, classification includes solar/PV, and company names match.
  • The insurance holder is the same entity on the contract.
  • The NABCEP credential is current and actually tied to the people overseeing your job.

Red flags: “Our partner is licensed,” expired policy dates, and no NABCEP anywhere on the team.

Skim-Stopper: Ask, “Who is the license holder of record for my project?” Write the name down.

Tip 2: Warranties You Can Actually Use

Not all warranties are equal. Get documents, not promises.

Three buckets to confirm:

  1. Equipment warranties
    • Panels: product & performance (e.g., 25-yr output retention),
    • Inverters/microinverters/optimizers: product term and replacement policy,
    • Racking: corrosion/structural coverage.
  2. Installer workmanship (craftsmanship, wiring, conduit routes): 10+ years is common.
  3. Roof-penetration/leak coverage: who pays, response time, and documentation required.

What to capture:

  • Term lengths, claim process, and who you call first.
  • Transferability if you sell the home.
  • Exclusions (salt spray, coastal corrosion, critter damage, misuse).

Red flags: “We’ll handle it” without PDFs; roof coverage shorter than workmanship; warranty only valid if you buy add-on services.

Tip 3: Apples-to-Apples Bid Comparison

Bids are only comparable if they use the same assumptions.

Standardize these line items across all quotes:

  • Panel model + wattage (datasheets linked).
  • Inverter type (string vs microinverters vs optimizers).
  • Array size: DC kW and AC kW (both).
  • Tilt/azimuth, shading %, performance ratio (PR), annual degradation %.
  • Monitoring (owner access, alerts), racking, and balance-of-system.
  • Main-panel upgrade (MPU) requirement, meter location, conduit routing.
  • Battery compatibility (communications, UL9540, warranty alignment).

Price sanity: Track $/W DC and $/W AC, but never alone—consider Year-1 kWh and system quality.

Skim-Stopper: If a bid won’t list exact models and assumptions, I stop there.

Tip 4: Pressure-Test Production & Savings Claims

Pretty charts are easy. Evidence is harder.

Ask for:

  • Shade study with an on-site tool (e.g., SunEye) or lidar-based modeling.
  • Weather dataset used (TMY/typical meteorological year).
  • Hourly modeling that matches your rate plan and export/buyback rules.
  • PR (performance ratio) and degradation assumptions (e.g., 0.5–0.8%/yr).

Do a quick sniff test:

  • Year-1 kWh vs DC size—does it match your site and tilt?
  • Are rate escalation assumptions realistic?
  • Does the cash flow include any dealer fees or loan points?

Red flags: “Up to” savings, no shade file, no hourly modeling, or using an old net-metering policy that no longer applies.

Tip 5: Financing That Matches Your Goals (Cash • Loan • Lease • PPA)

Ownership drives incentives and long-term ROI.

  • Cash: Lowest lifetime cost; you own the equipment and claim any eligible tax credits.
  • Loan: You still own the system; confirm APR, term, fees, prepayment rules, and any UCC-1 filing.
  • Lease/PPA: Low upfront, but the third party owns it and typically claims incentives. Watch the escalator.

What I request in writing:

  • Who owns the system?
  • Whether I’m eligible for the federal ITC.
  • Total finance charges and fees.
  • Escalator % for lease/PPA.

Rule of thumb: If you can handle the payment and want maximum control, cash or a transparent loan usually wins long term.

Tip 6: Choose Equipment & Design for Your Use Case

Match the architecture to the roof, shade, and future plans.

String inverters

  • Great for simple, unshaded roofs; fewer electronics on the roof; central point of service.

Microinverters

  • Best for complex roofs, multiple facets, or partial shading; module-level monitoring; flexible expansion.

DC optimizers + string

  • Middle ground; good shade tolerance with a central inverter.

Battery-ready design

  • Confirm communications compatibility, breaker space, rapid shutdown, and UL9540 listings.
  • If backup is the goal, specify the critical loads panel on day one.

Extras that matter: critter guards, coastal-grade fasteners, wind/salt exposure considerations, clean conduit runs.

Skim-Stopper: “One-size-fits-all” is not a design—ask for the why behind each component.

Tip 7: Reputation, Service, and Support After the Sale

You’re marrying the installer for the next decade. Pick someone who answers the phone.

How I vet beyond testimonials:

  • Local references from the last 6–12 months.
  • Permit history with your AHJ (shows real, recent volume).
  • Complaint records and how the company resolved them.
  • Years in business and leadership with verifiable track records.

Service terms I want in writing:

  • Monitoring access for the homeowner, with uptime alerts.
  • Response SLA (e.g., triage in 2 business days; on-site within X days for leaks/failures).
  • Truck-roll fees (if any) and what’s covered under workmanship.

Red flags: Third-party monitoring only, no written SLA, or “call the manufacturer” as the default.

Project Timeline & Common Delays

Typical flow (your mileage may vary):

  1. Site survey → photos, roof/attic/electrical.
  2. Design & engineering → one-line diagram, structural calcs if needed.
  3. Permits → AHJ review.
  4. Install → usually 1–3 days for residential.
  5. Inspection → local authority sign-off.
  6. Interconnection → utility approval, meter, or PTO.

Common delays: AHJ backlog, utility queue, main-panel upgrades, reroof scheduling, special-order equipment.

Roof Condition, Structural Work, and Leak Liability

Before anyone steps on the roof, align on conditions and responsibilities.

  • Request a pre-install photo log of decking, underlayment, penetrations, and attic areas.
  • If a reroof is coming within ~3–5 years, strongly consider doing it first.
  • Clarify who pays if hidden damage is found.
  • Get leak liability and response times in writing.

Incentives & Taxes (ITC + State/Utility)

  • The federal Investment Tax Credit may apply if you own the system; you typically claim it in the year it’s placed in service.
  • Some rebates can reduce your project’s tax basis; certain production credits may be taxable income.
  • Leases/PPAs: the system owner (often the financier) usually claims the credits.
  • Many states/utilities offer incentives or export/buyback programs—ask who files that paperwork and when.

Pro tip: Look up incentives in one place with databases like DSIRE. Ask your installer to list every program they’re assuming.

15 Questions to Ask at the Site Visit

  1. Who is the license holder for my project?
  2. Will you use employees or subs? Who carries workers’ comp?
  3. Can I see the shade study file and the assumed PR/degradation?
  4. Which rate plan and export/buyback did you model?
  5. Why this inverter architecture for my roof?
  6. Is the system battery-ready? Which models integrate cleanly?
  7. Will I need a main-panel upgrade? Who coordinates it?
  8. How will conduit be routed (aesthetic plan)?
  9. What’s the monitoring platform and alerting?
  10. What’s your response SLA for leaks/inverter faults?
  11. Do you install critter guards or corrosion-resistant hardware for coastal sites?
  12. What’s the roof-penetration detail (flashing, sealants)?
  13. Who handles permits and interconnection paperwork?
  14. What are the warranty exclusions I should know about?
  15. Can I speak to two recent local customers?

Red Flags & Deal-Breakers

  • Won’t share license/insurance PDFs or the shade file.
  • Vague equipment models (“Tier 1 panels”).
  • Savings claims based on old net metering rules.
  • Pushy “today-only” discounts.
  • No written roof-leak coverage or service SLA.

Mini-FAQ

Are microinverters worth it on a simple south roof?
If shade is minimal and the roof faces due south, a quality string inverter can be efficient and cost-effective. Microinverters add module-level monitoring and shade resilience; decide based on roof complexity and future expansion.

Can I add batteries later?
Yes—if the system is designed for it. Confirm communications compatibility and breaker space now to avoid rework later.

What if I need a reroof in 3 years?
Either reroof first or plan for detach & reset costs later. Get both numbers now.

Who handles interconnection?
The installer usually submits and tracks the interconnection. Ask for a copy of the final permission-to-operate (PTO).

Practical Takeaways

  • Standardize quotes. You’ll see who’s real fast.
  • Get every promise as a document.
  • Choose a design for your roof and goals, not a sales script.
  • Tie financing to ownership and incentives.
  • Service after the sale matters for 10–25 years—treat it that way.

Resources

Helpful External References

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