20 Questions to Ask a Solar Company

Installing solar panels on your home has the potential to lower your electricity bill for many years. However, if you find yourself questioning this claim, wondering about hidden drawbacks, or asking, "How exactly do solar panels work?" rest assured, these are common concerns.

Whether you decide to purchase your solar panel system outright or opt for a solar lease, you should understand your investment. By asking the right questions, you can identify the best solar company and the ideal system for your home, while also avoiding potential bad deals.

20 questions to ask a solar installer

Here are 20 questions about solar energy you can ask to make sure you’re getting a deal that works for you.

1. How much will solar panels save me?

While you’ll still receive an electricity bill after going solar, you should save money. While it’s impossible to predict exactly how much solar panels can save you, installers can give you a reasonable estimate. Your actual savings will depend on how much your electricity rates change and whether incentives like net metering shift during your solar panels’ lifespan.

Your savings will also shift throughout the year, thanks to solar seasonality. It’s useful to get a clear understanding of your potential savings throughout the year and over the projected lifetime of your solar installation.

2. What solar incentives are available?

Asking your installer about available incentives is important to maximizing the value of your investment. Whether or not you qualify for local solar incentives may impact the return on investment of your energy system.

Around the country, solar incentives vary greatly by state and region, with some cities, counties, and utilities offering their own programs, tax credits, tax exemptions, rebates, and more.

3. Do you sell or lease your solar panels?

Decide whether you will buy or lease a solar system based on your personal preferences, financial goals, and available options and make sure your installer can deliver what you want.

Buying means the system is your property, which can lead you to save more over the lifetime of your systems. A lease or power purchase agreement, such as the Palmetto Energy Plan, will give you solar power from a home system with no upfront cost and manageable monthly payments. 

4. Do you offer financing options?

Unless you’re able to pay for your panels upfront or are leasing them, you may need to finance your system through a loan. Many reputable solar installers offer loans, though you can always shop around.

By working with a company with multiple financing options, you are more likely to find a solar loan structured to fit into your budget that can unlock your long-term savings on electricity.

5. What type of solar panels do you install?

One of the most common questions solar companies are asked is, “What type of panels do you install?”

While there are differences in performance among solar panels, you probably don’t need to stress over the options. In some instances it may be beneficial to pay a bit more for highly efficient solar panels. You can typically achieve your savings and energy goals with multiple solar panel options, so long as your installer can provide solar panels of typical efficiency (around 20%) and wattage (somewhere close to 400 watts is typical).

6. What do your warranties cover?

You will likely have multiple solar warranties (product, performance, installation) associated with your energy system.

Before signing on the dotted line, talk to your installer about exactly what each of these warranties covers, how long the coverage periods are, and if you can extend the policies during the lifetime of your solar panels.

7. What if a part of my system breaks?

Along with warranty coverage, you should talk to your installer about the likelihood of system damage and what repair or maintenance procedures will be, even if solar panel maintenance is typically infrequent.

If you’re covered by a maintenance and monitoring plan, your solar company will field your request and repair the system as soon as possible, ensuring it’s back up and running without excessive time offline.

8. Can I add more solar panels later?

If you purchase an electric vehicle, electrify your heating and cooling with a heat pump, or grow your family, your electricity consumption will grow. If you anticipate you may want to expand your solar energy system in the future, talk to your installer about this possibility and what an upgrade may look like.

Depending on system setup, local policies, and available space, it may be a better idea to oversize your solar system initially rather than add panels later. Or, your installer may make expanding easier by designing a microinverter-based solar system.

9. How long is the installation process?

A company that sets an installation timeline (and has the past projects to prove it) is more likely to deliver a good end result. 

Although they may not be able to tell you a precise interconnection date during your initial conversation, reputable companies should be able to provide a breakdown of your solar installation timeline, including permitting, equipment delivery, and construction.

10. Do you have a customer referral program?

If your installer has a referral program, it can pay off to know about it. As the best advocates for any company are its customers, many solar companies will compensate those who refer new business in bill credits or cash.

11. Can you explain the total cost of a system?

If a solar contractor gives you a price and doesn’t explain how they arrived at that number, it’s a red flag you may not be getting the best deal possible. Although the average cost of solar panels varies across the country, the total price of any solar energy system can be broken down into hard and soft costs, including expenses associated with hardware, permitting, labor, and business overhead.

12. Should I install a string inverter or microinverters?

Inverters turn the electricity your solar panels generate into electricity you can use at home. String inverters and micro-inverters are the two main options. As every home solar project is different, choosing the right technology can maximize your system performance and return on investment.

13. When will my system pay for itself?

If you purchase or finance your solar energy system with a reputable solar installer, they should be able to forecast an approximate break-even point at which your system will have paid for itself in savings.

In general, solar panel payback periods average somewhere between 7-10 years, depending on your location, the size of your system, and many other factors. A solar installer should be able to break down the expected performance of your system as it relates to the price of electricity in your area over time. If you lease your panels, a payback period isn’t relevant, since you won’t pay anything upfront.

14. How do I track my solar panel performance?

Today, most solar panels are installed with smart components that report system performance directly to a digital landing page. The Palmetto App, for example, allows you to track your solar panel performance alongside your electricity consumption (with a supported meter).

15. What happens when my system reaches the end of its lifespan?

Even though it may be 20-30 years or more into the future, asking your installer about the end of your system's lifespan can help you avoid unwanted surprises later on.

Solar companies that plan to be around for decades are sure to have an answer for you when you ask about the decommissioning process. Critically, the end of your lease contract may give you options, like renewing your lease at a new rate, or buying out the system at the market value.

16. How long have you been in business?

In recent years, some solar companies have gone out of business. Working with an established, experienced solar company could help you avoid picking a company that’s going to go out of business.

17. What should I do before I go solar?

Solar can supply you with the electricity you need to run your house, but reducing the amount of electricity you need can lead to savings, too. Getting an energy audit, upgrading your insulation, or electrifying your HVAC system or water heater may open the door to greater savings.

Your solar installer should be definitive about the state of your roof before installing solar panels. Your roof should be healthy at the time of installation, and replacing your roof and installing solar at the same time can save you time and money.

18. What other products do you sell? (Generators, EV chargers, home security, etc.)

Going solar can be a great time to also electrify your home with a heat pump or other efficient, electric appliances, install an EV charger, add battery storage, or replace your roof. You can find some of these and other energy-saving products, with savings for account users, in the new Palmetto app. 

Combining projects could save you time and money and let you stretch your solar electricity farther.

19. What makes your company different from others?

When weighing your solar options, you should feel free to open up the discussion and allow installers to explain exactly why they deserve the job. A professional solar expert should want to give you all the info you need rather than stick to a sales pitch and make you feel forced into a decision. 

20. Can I take my time and think about it?

In a high-pressure sales scenario, you may start to feel a solar installation company is pushing you to sign a contract right there, right now. If you feel rushed, asking for some time to make your decision will quickly show whether or not the company is acting in your best interest or is simply out to get your money.

Occasionally impending policy changes mean you need to rush, but even with those caveats, a reputable company should be happy to do follow-up calls and help you feel confident in your choice. 

Finding the best solar installer

The right solar company should answer all your questions and concerns today and seem like a partner you’ll want to work with for 25 years or longer.

Your new home solar power system should deliver savings and reliable, clean, and renewable energy. It should be easy to understand and operate without extra work or stress.

Interested in seeing what it's like going solar with Palmetto? Or still have questions about solar energy in general? Get started today by reaching out for a free quote and savings estimate today.

Frequently asked questions

How do you prepare for a solar installation?

Before you go solar, get to know your energy usage and current utility bills. You can check your property’s suitability for solar, including your roof’s health and shading, and confirm specifics such as net metering and other incentives apply to you.

How do you find a good solar installer?

It’s ok to interview and ask many, and even tough, questions of a solar installer before committing to solar. You are looking for a person or company that’s knowledgeable, experienced, professional, and helpful. 

Can solar panels really save you money?

Millions of homes in the US are saving money with home solar panels. While solar panels aren’t a fit for every home, they can lower energy bills and generate long-term savings. A reputable solar company will be able to explain the savings potential of solar at your home, including when it’s too small to be worth it.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Palmetto does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors.