Purchasing and installing solar power on your home or business can be overwhelming. You want to do your part for the environment, but don’t know where to begin, right? Here are a few ideas and resources to get you started.
> Research and interview all the potential installers in your area, no matter how small an outfit.
> Ask about their business:
* Are you licensed, bonded and insured? Find out if they have NABCEP certification (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). If they have been in business for a long time, they may think this step is unnecessary, so check references, and find out if they are licensed in your state.
* Do you have any judgments against you? Call the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Affairs Office to check.
* How long have you been installing solar? A company has more experience the longer they have been in operation.
* How many installations are off-grid? Grid tied? An experienced company will have done both. Off-grid was more common until net-metering became popular, so good installers need to know both. (Net metering is when you connect your solar PV system to your local utility, and they pay you for electricity you produce but do not use.)
> Ask about their services and obligations:
* Do you give free estimates? You want to hear Yes.
* Do you conduct a site survey? Do I need to be present? They should say yes on the site survey, and I recommend being there, no matter what they say. It’s a great time to ask questions.
* Does your company design the system and purchase materials? Again, you want a Yes.
* Do you know the building code and inspection requirements, and do you get the permits? They should say Yes, and you should ask what permits there are.
* Are there any financial incentives, and do you do the necessary paperwork? Do you offer financing? Each outfit should know the current state and federal incentives offered. You can check on them here. If they offer financing, ask about terms – how much down payment, how long to pay it back and interest rates. Ask for the total cost after it’s paid off.
* Do you outsource your work? They should say NO! You want the same outfit who does your site assessment to do your installation.
* Will you write up a contract that includes materials, start and finish dates of the job, and price and payment schedule? A contract should include all of these things.
> Do a cost analysis. Your PV system needs to be sized according to your needs, and an installer will have software to determine this. S/he will also be able to figure out the return on your investment (ROI) and how long it will take to be paid off with energy savings.
> Ask about and research the materials each installer uses. Components vary in quality and power output. You want the best and most powerful!
> Ask about warranties. Expect a 10 year warranty on an inverter and 20-25 years on the solar panels. The company should also give you at least a 5 year warranty on their service, as well as for roof and electrical damage.
> Compare the bids you get from the various installers, and ask lots of questions. The bids must be on the same size and style of installation. The size of the system will be shown in watts (W), and the cost will be shown in dollars per watt ($/W). Be sure that all bids are expressed in either AC PTS (Alternating Current, Performance Test) or DC STC (Direct Current, Standard Test Conditions. Again, each bid must be for identical situations to be calculated accurately and so you can compare accurately.
> Check references! Ask for the names and numbers of past customers. When you contact these folks, find out if you can drive by their home to see their system. Maybe they will let you come in so they can talk about it! Ask about the customer service, if the company has lived up to their service pledge and their expectations, if there have been maintenance problems, and if the cost analysis was accurate.
> Do not take the cheapest bid just to cut corners. It is better to get a smaller system than buy a larger, cheaper and probably lower quality system. Quality over quantity. You can add to it later. If you are confident, though, that the cheapest installer is the best with the best materials, good customer service and great references, then get that system. If you are net-metering, then you will want the biggest system to cover all your needs and then some.
> Most important – hire a professional! Prompt customer service, transparency, documentation and patience are good signs of a good company. Move on to the next one if you don’t feel they are making you the most important part of this transaction.
(This post was written with the help of Tor Valenza, aka @SolarFred. Visit him at Solar Power Rocks.)
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> Plant fire-resistant plants.
> Hardscaping – walkways, patios, stone walls, driveways and parking areas- is an effective firebreak.
I will patter to the kitchen for a cup of organic coffee (sorry, not Fair Trade, but bought in bulk) with a dash of organic half & half. I will check my email, post green news on Twitter to educate the masses, and play word games on Facebook to stay in touch with far-away friends (greener and more frugal than travel). (photo: flickr 
Weather permitting, I will do a load of laundry in my efficient front-loading Kenmore washer, and hang it outside in the disinfecting sun. I will water my organic vegetable and herb gardens, and walk around the yard to see which wildflowers are in bloom.
If I need to, I will run a week’s worth of errands on my drive home. I’ll stop for cat food (not green, made by Nestle, but it’s the only brand she does not throw up – there’s always a trade-off) and the compressed pine nugget cat litter (very green, made from wood scraps). I’ll get some organic produce, and check my mail. I may even visit with a friend. At home, I’ll change my clothes and go for a walk to enjoy the beauty that surrounds my home in Taos. Walking is more preventive health care, and natural beauty and fresh air are food for the soul.
