Solar Power Continues To Increase In Popularity
Last year, more than 195,000 home solar power systems were installed in the United States, with a new solar project installed every 2.5 minutes. In the next two years, the country’s solar capacity is expected to double as more homes make the decision to save money by going solar. If you’re thinking about going solar, it can be hard to know where to start, so we put together this guide with important things to know about home solar power.
Types of Solar Companies
There are many different types of solar companies, and understanding the difference between them can help you understand who you will be working with for the planning and installation of your solar power system, where your solar panels will come from, and who you will stay in contact with for any maintenance or service needs.
- Vertically Integrated - Vertically integrated solar companies manage everything in-house, from manufacturing the solar panels and solar cells to financing, installation, and maintenance. Because these companies manage the entire process, they serve as a single point of contact throughout the entire process.
- Full Service - Full service solar companies manage everything you need to get solar on your home, from finance to installation and maintenance. The only thing they don’t do is the actual manufacturing of the solar panels, as they buy them directly from solar panel manufacturers. This allows them to pick the best technology, but sometimes that comes at a higher cost.
- Manufacturers - Manufacturers are focused on making solar panels, and selling them to other companies who manage the installation and maintenance process. Sometimes you can buy panels from manufacturers directly and install them yourself, but this is a difficult process for someone without a strong background in both roofing and electrical, so few homeowners go this route.
- Installers - Installers buy solar panels from manufacturers, and manage the installation process for you. They will often purchase the solar panels for you, since they can get bulk discounts, and then they include the cost of the panels in the total installation price. This allows them to pick and choose the best solar technologies, but it does require you to find your own financing options.
Important Things To Consider
There are many things to consider when going solar. To help you understand financing options, solar equipment differences, the total system cost, additional services many companies offer, and how to get the best customer service in the industry, we have identified the most important information you need to know.
Financing Options
As with any big purchase, you have options for how to pay for your home solar power system. For example, you can sign a Power Purchasing Agreement, buy it upfront with cash, finance the cost of the system over time, lease to own, or you may choose to lease the system indefinitely and save on the power it generates. To help understand what options are right for you, contact us for a free home solar power quote today.
- Solar Lease & PPA - Solar Leases and Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) are programs where the solar company owns, operates, and maintains the solar power system, and you simply agree to purchase the electric power the system generates at a pre-determined rate. In exchange for providing your roof for the solar panels to be installed on, the company is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repairs of your panels, and will guarantee against any problems. In addition, most agreements include a pre-determined amount of power that the system will generate, and the company will reimburse you if the solar power system doesn’t provide the agreed upon amount.
- Lease to Own - If you decide to lease your system, or enter into a PPA, some solar companies will allow you to buy the system at market value once the lease period ends.
- Loan - Many solar companies offer loan programs where you own the solar power system, and pay off the loan over time. This gives you the benefits of owning the solar power system, but spreads the cost out over time. Because the cost of the loan is often lower than the amount the solar power system saves you each month, it can result in zero out-of-pocket expenses to own the system.
- Upfront Purchase - If you have the money available, some solar companies will sell you the entire solar power system upfront, giving you the benefits of owning your own system, and not paying additional finance charges over time. While this does require a much higher upfront payment, the savings from a solar power system can often generate a positive return on investment in as little as 5 years.
- Moving - If you lease the system, you have the option of either transferring that lease to the new owner, or buying the system from your solar company first, and then rolling in the cost of that system into the price of your home. If you have already purchased your solar power system outright, you can simply roll the cost of the system into the price of your home when you decide to sell.
Equipment
Most modern solar panel technologies offer similar levels of performance at a similar cost per panel, and working with the companies that we recommend guarantees that you’ll get the best technologies at the best prices. If you’re comparing the solar power equipment that’s currently on the market, it’s important to consider price vs efficiency, and the warranty & reliability of those panels.
- Price vs Efficiency - While some solar panel technologies are slightly more efficient than others, that additional efficiency often comes at an additional cost that offsets the difference. Unless you have a very limited amount of space on your roof, most current solar technologies should be more than enough to meet your power needs.
- Warranty & Reliability - Solar power systems will generate electricity for 30 years or longer, so you want to make sure your system, and the company that you purchase your system through, is going to be around for a long time to service and maintain that system. You also want to be sure your panels are covered by a warranty that lasts for the amount of time you expect to be using the system, so you don’t have any unexpected costs down the road.
Total System Cost
The total amount that you pay for your system, and the energy that it generates, depends on a number of factors beyond just the cost of the panels. The easiest way to calculate the cost of going solar is to contact us for a free home solar power quote. Some of the things we help take into account are your electricity costs, available incentives, the solar potential of your location, and the financing options that are available to you.
- Electricity Costs - Your electricity costs depend on where you live, and what other electricity saving measures you have already made to your home. Other factors like what time of day you typically use the most energy can also have an effect on how much you can save with solar power.
- Incentives - Federal, state, and local incentives are designed to help people go solar, and can provide you with big savings if you qualify. Your solar company will typically know the incentives that are available in your area, and can help you calculate those savings into the overall cost of the system.
- Solar Potential - The amount of solar power that your roof can generate will depend on what direction your roof faces, the size of your roof, and other factors like shade and regional weather.
- Financing - Financing costs need to be factored into the overall cost of your solar power system. The type of financing you qualify for, the length of your financing, and other factors will determine any additional financing costs to factor into your overall system cost.
Additional Services
When you work with a solar company, they do more than just put solar panels on your roof. The company that you work with will often be the one managing the maintenance and service of your panels, the warranty on your panels and installation, your financing options, and helping identify and apply for incentives that can help you save even more. To compare the services offered by the top solar companies in the industry, contact us for a free home solar power quote today.
- Maintenance - Make sure you know who is responsible for the maintenance of your solar power system. Generally solar power systems are low-maintenance, and don’t require frequent work, but you want to know who is responsible for any costs if your system does require service.
- Warranty - Many solar companies will provide a warranty for the installation of the solar panels, and the panels themselves, often for the entire expected life of the system. It’s important to understand the length of your warranty, and what it covers, to prevent any unexpected costs down the road.
- Financing - Solar companies can often help with financing your solar power system, whether that’s through financing options that the provide, or by helping you secure your own financing through a lease or loan.
- Incentives - There are many federal, state, and local incentives that help homeowners go solar. Many solar companies can help you identify the incentives that you quality for, and can also help you apply for those incentives to take advantage of the savings.
- Manufacturing - Many solar installers also manufacture the solar panels and solar cells that they use, and this can help them keep costs down and pass along the savings to you.
Customer Service
Your solar power system will be saving you money for 30 years or longer, so you want to make sure the people you work with throughout the life of your system are going to provide the best customer service they possibly can. Every company that we recommend is highly rated by existing customers, and offers benefits like a dedicated salesperson, an in-house team of employees, and low or even zero service fees to maintain your system. To find out what company is right for your home solar needs, contact us for a free home solar power quote.
- Dedicated Salesperson - Some solar companies will provide you with a single dedicated salesperson that will help you through every step of the process, matching you with someone who knows your specific needs, and giving you a single number to call if you have any questions.
- In-House Team - Some companies use only their own employees, from sales and support through installation, while other companies use certified contractors who specialize in your local area.
- Service Fees - Solar companies offer additional and premium services, but these added services can come at an added cost. Make sure you understand any additional services that are available, and consider those costs in the overall cost of your solar power system.
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the solar industry a little more, and feel more confident about your decision to start saving money on your monthly electricity bill by going solar. Remember that we’ve reviewed hundreds of solar companies in the US, and identified the top five that we recommend the most, so that we can find the company that’s right for you. To receive a free custom quote from any of these companies, contact us today.
