Basic Primer on Solar Panels Companies in California
Understanding solar power and how it works is the first step to getting your installation done right. As the property owner, you need to know everything that is required and that will go towards your solar power installation. For starters, it is crucial to first understand why you want to transition to solar power. Simply making the transition from grid power because you have seen others do it is not reason enough. You need a proper understanding of what it entails for you and your home before making the step forward.
Conducting Sufficient Market Research
As with any major undertaking, conducting due diligence and research is important. Solar companies, just like any other business will advertise in order to get business. Not every company that advertises tends to be good, and therefore you should make sure that you are not fooled by colorful adverts and marketing campaigns. A typical internet search for a solar company in your area will yield good results for solar panels companies in California. The best form of marketing is testimonials and reviews. Here, you can know whether your preferred solar panel companies provide quality service or not. Honest reviews are easy to pick out since they tend to have positive feedback as well as constructive criticism. A page that has only positive feedback doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is credible. Check whether they have disabled comment or whether the admin has the power to delete a negative comment.
The next part of due diligence is checking for certification. A good solar company will show you’re their certifications which you can clarify by doing a background check with relevant authorities. Solar companies also need the requisite permits to operate in your area and therefore, you should be on the lookout for any permit issues in their past.
Financial Incentives for solar Power
Solar power is a major investment and you need to be prepared for the financial costs. On average, a solar power installation can cost about $45000 and in some cases can go as high as $100,000. However, you can reduce the financial burden by checking for government incentives, bonuses and grants. Through more integrated networks, the most reputable solar companies in San Diego have managed to reduce their installation costs. Tax relief benefits are common with solar installations and a good solar company will make sure to check for availability of such incentives before you begin your installation.
Solar panel companies don’t offer all components and some incentives on components may help you to offset some of the costs. It’s important to make sure your installation is done by a professional so that you can even qualify for some benefits. If your installation is done correctly, then you stand to increase the value of your home significantly. Sometimes, this value can rise and the difference can be more than the amount you even spent on the solar power installation.
Check For Warranties
A solar energy installation must come with at least 25 year warranty. This will not only be important when getting new parts or upgrading certain components, but you can rest assured that your investments will not translate into further costs down the road. It is important to check with your preferred solar company on the duration of their warranty and what the warranty covers.
Authored by Ryan Douglas
NRG Clean Power's resident writer and solar enthusiast, Ryan Douglas covers all things related to the clean energy industry.
