It’s not surprising that with higher utility costs, increased concern about the impact of fossil fuels on our planet, the existence of government incentives, lower installation costs and improved technology, that more people are going solar than ever before.

 

The financial savings, best solar energy solutions independence and return on investment, combined with the added benefit of actually helping the environment, have made the decision to go solar a no-brainer for many Americans.

 

But how do you choose the right contractor for an investment that will last 25-30 years? If not done right, your solar investment could end up costing you money instead of saving and making you money over the long haul.

 

Keeping these considerations in mind will help in your search for the right solar contractor:

 

1. Look for a solar expert

This is by far the most important consideration. Make sure your installer is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners as a PV (Solar) Installer. The NABCEP is the most respected, well-established and widely recognized certification organization for North American solar professionals in the field of renewable energy.

 

This is the best way to avoid installation errors and future problems with your investment. It's also the best way to be sure that what you have been promised in terms of production and return are based on facts and not fiction.

 

2. Find a solar contractor with experience

Find out how much solar they've installed and ask for names and contact numbers for previous customers. Find out how long they've been in business.

 

Contractors with significant experience will be less likely to cut corners on your installation which could cause roof leaks, electrical shorts or power losses in the system down the road.

 

3. Vet the equipment and manufacturers your contractor offers

You wouldn’t buy a $30,000 car without checking out the make and model first or problems already discovered, would you? Many contractors, in an effort to just make sales at the cheapest price, are offering technology from the 1960s and cheap solar panels which aren't standing the test of time.

 

Much of the equipment in these “bargain basement” priced systems are the least efficient available and will have a direct impact on your production and therefore long-term return on investment.

 

RELATED: Angie's List Guide to Solar Panels

 

4. Don’t look for the lowest priced contractor

The old adage “you get what you pay for” really applies in the solar industry. A highly efficient and reliable system that will last for 30 years, while also delivering a real return, doesn't come at the cheapest price. A $5,000 savings today could cost you $10,000 to $20,000 over the next 25 to 30 years.

 

5. Beware of contractors with warranties that don't pass the smell test

Some contractors will make warranties they have no intention of honoring or don’t plan to be around to honor. If you have to purchase a warranty exceeding two years for a new million-dollar home, how can a solar contractor warrant the workmanship on your solar installation for 10 or 20 years at no cost?

 

6. Make sure the contractor offers monitoring for the system

This is probably the most important part of your system for the purposes of transparency. Systems that allow panel level monitoring (you see individual production of each panel) enable you to confirm that your system and panels are producing as promised.

 

 

What good is a manufacturer’s production warranty on your panels if you can't see how they're producing? Contractors that don't (or will not) offer monitoring likely don't want you to see that your system isn't producing as promised. Really good contractors monitor your system with you for at least a five-year period after installation.

 

7. Look for a contractor who'll do all of your paperwork

Permitting, interconnection with your utility and incentives paperwork processes can be very complicated and time-consuming.

 

8. Find a contractor that delivers great customer service

Because this purchase will last 25 to 30 years, you want a contractor who'll stand beside you for the duration and will deliver service, if and when needed, with a smile. Your contractor should be as invested in your solar array as you are.