How to Choose Your Solar Panel Installer

  How to Choose Your Solar Panel Installer

Solar power is a long-term investment, financial and environmentally speaking, so it’s important to take every step necessary to ensure that the system you choose to install in your home is going to be worth it later on down the line. It’s also important to ensure that the company who installs it knows exactly what they are doing.

Here are several important factors to consider, when selecting your solar installer:

1. Is your solar contractor licensed?

State licensing is completely different from any voluntary certification that your contractor may opt to participate in. Ensuring that Installation Company is licensed protects you from dangerous installation and safety mishaps. Your solar panels are a huge financial investment on your part, so you want to know that they are installed according to all code and safety regulations.

Licensing in the residential solar energy system realm began in the 1980s. However, not all states require or have well-outlined licensing guidelines. It’s important that you thoroughly research your state to find out what their requirements are. It’s also important to note that on the certification side, a contractor having a NABCEP ( North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)certification is much preferred if you are looking to install a high-quality solar power system that will meet state guidelines and prove eligible for later rebates and incentives.

2. What are the panels and inverters your solar installer is using?

The quality of the solar panels for homes and inverters that your installer decides to use is of the utmost importance, so it’s imperative that you speak with them and understand the devices they are installing. Your solar inverter is the mechanism responsible for converting the energy, or direct current, obtained from your solar panels into a useable energy source, or alternating current (AC to DC), which can be utilized by your local electric company’s wiring network. A high quality inverter also supplies safety features that protect your equipment from overload and damage. A low quality solar inverter can result in lost or wasted energy and low conversion rates when cultivating energy from your solar panel system.

3. How long will it take to install the solar panel system?

A solar panel system installation on a residential house can take less than a day and up to three, depending on the elaboration and specific nature of the job. However, obtaining permits, a licensed contractor, and a well-defined plan for installation can bump the overall process time up to a week or two, again, depending on the overall project specifics.

Obtaining a tentative timeline from your contractor is definitely a part of the process you don’t want to skip. Having contractors up on your roof is a tedious part of the process, and one that you’ll want to be fully aware of. But in the end, the overall result and savings will be well worth your time.

 4. What about solar panel insurance and warranties?

You need both. Upon installing a solar panels system, your electrical company will most likely ask to see proof of insurance on your new system, which is completely normal. However, the good news is that most of your standard homeowner insurance policies will provide adequate coverage for your solar panel system. However, this is definitely something you will want to discuss with your insurance agent beforehand, so you can figure in the solar power cost.

5. Are they certified and accredited installers?

Checking a company’s accreditations should be one of your top priorities in your search for the best solar panels company for your home. Most companies will seek accreditation with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in order to guarantee that they are a trustworthy business that adheres to sound and ethical business practices. If your chosen company does not have any accreditations, you should ask them about this. If they truly have no existing accreditations to their name, you may want reconsider your choice.

The proper certification can keep on mind at ease, knowing that your solar system will be installed carefully and correctly. A desirous certification to keep an eye out for is given by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). If a business has this accreditation, it means the company has met an extremely strict set of requirements and standards. This arduous process involves thorough background checks, a certain amount of independent reviews, a superb customer rating, extensive testing, and a minimum span of time for established business. Accredited businesses are less likely to make foolish mistakes and give shoddy service.

 6. Is there outsourcing involved with your solar panel installer ?

Being involved with a company with less out sourcing will be most beneficial for you. Doing the job entirely on their own and supplying all the necessary parts will save the solar company (and by extension, you, too) time, and money. Buying supplies from all over and then hiring an installer separately is a time-consuming task that will cost you precious dollars. In addition, if the company outsources a team of separate installers to do their own job, the quality of work may be jeopardized. You pick your solar installer because you trust them, but does that mean that you can inherently trust their subcontractors? This isn’t always the case.

Clearly, hiring a full service solar installer that will take care of every step of the process for you is the most safe, efficient, and effective option for you.

7. Finally Choosing the Best Solar panel Company for You?

So, let’s do a quick review. You are looking for a solar company that is shining with good reviews and recommendations, as well as references from higher-ups. This company is fully accredited and certified with important people in their industry. They are cost-effective and are truly excited and thorough in their work.

This company minimally participates in outsourcing, and their costs are most accessible for your solar power needs. You’ve invited them into your home, you feel comfortable around them, and have grown to trust them and their skills.

Once the installation of your solar panel system is complete, you can sit back, and enjoy your energy efficient home - not to mention the financial benefits your solar power system will reap.

Off course, we are always here to help. Fill in the solar estimate form here, and receive instant quotes from qualified buyers we recommend near you. Talk to them, compare, and decide how you wish to take your first steps in “srinergy.”

As solar installers become direct power providers, here are tips for community solar success

The ongoing boom in community solar is shifting the role of solar providers from one-off residential or commercial projects to something that more closely resembles a traditional utility company. This changing role makes it important for providers of Commercial

solar to emphasize proper solar panels installation and inspection vs. rush-installing systems to take advantage of end-of-year tax credits.

Since community solar allows residents in a neighborhood or municipality to pay into a “shared” solar system in return for green energy and a credit on their utility bills, community solar managers need to be vigilant in reviewing recently-built systems. If a system isn’t properly inspected and the power goes down as a result, the go-to solar “utility” risks the collective wrath of thousands of customers — not to mention the angry calls they could get from municipalities themselves.

That’s why it makes good sense to conduct a thorough inspection post-installation to check for any potential issues — and correct them before they become full-blown problems.

Here are a few suggestions that community system owners and asset managers should look for as part of their system inspection checklist:

1. Contrast unique panels determinations with how the framework was at last constructed. Ask yourself these inquiries: What, on the off chance that anything, has transformed from the first structure? Are various segments being utilized? What is the framework yield? Much of the time, an outsider specialist does the underlying plan, at that point separate temporary workers do the real establishment. Likewise with any development venture, unexpected impediments could manifest that require modifications on the fly. On the off chance that this occurs, ensure you're mindful of the progressions and record them "as worked" with a clarification with regards to the reasons why.

2. Utilize an automaton to check for gear harm, similar to modules with broken cells or lower-than-anticipated framework yield. Automaton or ethereal assessments are a financially savvy approach to help recognize this kind of harm and are ordinarily more dependable than ground examinations by laborers in the field. Specific kinds of automatons likewise utilize infrared innovation, which can recognize if a module, or some portion of one, isn't creating power. This is an amazingly basic capacity with recently introduced frameworks since no chronicled information exists to look at what the right yield ought to be.

3. Check all parts, ensuring modules and racking are tied in appropriately with no free or missing screws. Guarantee that electrical segments are appropriately grounded, also. These are zones where easy routes may be taken if an establishment is being surged.

4. Make sure wires are verified by staples, link ties, holders or comparative fittings. At that point, guarantee all wiring is appropriately ensured to keep squirrels or different creatures from snacking on them, which can cause harm and even cause whole frameworks to go disconnected. Plainly name all parts with changeless, climate safe signage that won't erode when presented to the components. Cautious signage and flawless wire the board make further assessments simpler — and are markers of a better than expected framework. Obviously, it additionally bodes well to introduce a fence around your locale solar exhibit to keep it shielded from the general population.

5. While it might be monetarily invaluable to get network heavenly bodies fully operational for charge purposes, suppliers shouldn't forfeit appropriate establishment practices and well being oversight. By utilizing a post-establishment investigation (and not hurrying finish of-year introduces in any case), network solar, solar panels suppliers can begin 2020 on a radiant note — and hold onto their creating job as a client confronting "utility."

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam: All You Need To Know Bangalore Real Estate

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam said that here are important things and some check list you need to follow to consider before signing the sales deal for your dream new apartment. Legality Dr. Ravichandra Bellam: Before tapering down your apartment options, must and should the property plans are approved by the government of KHMC, Karnataka. Make sure that the plans follow the rules and regulations laws set by the government of karnataka and have no deviation from the original plan. When you see ads for apartments for sale in Bangalore, be sure to read the fine blue print. Dr. Ravichandra Bellam suggest you that talk to the developer and builder and neighbour people make sure that they provide the government approved documents to you, including the clearance certificate and the occupancy If you’re a first time home buyer, consult a legal advisor who is resident in bangalore to clear all your confusion and doughts that before buying. Consult Dr.

Dr Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala to get best real estate advise. Builder Reputation Dr Bellam Ravichandra: Before finalizing an apartment, do a bit of background verification on the builder’s reputation and project collaboration. Check out their previous and upcoming projects and go through the customer reviews and statements to get a better information about the builder you’re dealing with. In a huge city like Bangalore, there are some people who try to manipulate you with fake reviews, home buyers should have more attention and make waver from their promises. Dr and his Wife Sasikala said if you’re ready to buy an apartment of under-construction project, make sure that they provide the apartment at the promised possession date, along with the required documents. Project Location Dr Bellam Ravichandra : Your new home will be where you'll be remaining for quite a long time thus, contemplating the fate of the area is significant.

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala bangalore is an IT center and the developing workforce has prompted the advancement in pretty much every niche and corner around the city. Consider the future advancement in the zone you're acquiring the property in. It's not important to purchase a loft in a complex found ideal on the fundamental street however ensure that it's well-associated with the city. Dr. Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala suggest you while picking an area, check the nearness for fundamental essentials like medical clinics, supermarkets, schools, open vehicle, banks and so on. Amenities Dr. Ravichandra Bellam: What are the offices and details given by the manufacturer? A few designers may list a variety of courtesies to bait in potential purchasers however it's your obligation to take a gander at the master plan. Everything should be remembered while focusing in on the correct condo for you said Dr. Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala.

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam : At the point when the territory of a condo is referenced, you may be anxious to realize that you're getting an open loft at an extraordinary cost. Built-up Area: Dr Bellam Ravichandra : This is the total area occupied by your carpet area (the area confined by the four walls) and the area occupied by the apartment walls. Super Built-up Area: Dr Bellam Ravichandra: This is the entirety of the floor covering zone, developed territory and the proportionate of the regular regions of the private complex. More often than not, the cost of the land per square feet is based on the excessively developed territory.

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala said be very much aware of the computation before buying the condo. On the off chance that you've settled on an area you might want to buy the level in, Be knowledgeable with the present market costs before contributing.

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala said other than the value paid to the manufacturer for the loft the extra expenses incorporate. Club membership charges Parking space charges Service tax Stamp duty Registration charges Home loan processing fees Electrification charges Transformer charges Floor rise charge Water supply charge Preferred location charges (PLC), etc. Competitor’s Work Dr Bellam Ravichandra : Try not to rush to make a decision in land matters. Do a touch of research on the ventures done by the rivals in the area you pick.

Dr. Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala is your one-stop destination for all property related matters. Dr Ravichandra Bellam and his Wife Sasikala: Fastidious arranging, constant research, and discussions with specialists – you have a great deal of work to do when you prepare to.. Checklist #1: Your budget.

10 questions to ask before you consider installing solar panels

10 questions to ask before you consider installing solar panels

Buying solar panels for your home is a big step. Although there are many things to consider before installing solar panels, they are no longer just for high-tech futurists. The rest of the world has finally caught up — in fact, last year a new solar installation went online in the u.S. Every 100 seconds! If you’ve been considering adding a solar panel system to your home or business, here are some questions to ask about solar panels before getting started.

Whether you go over these yourself or book a consultation for a solar energy expert to evaluate your current home or business, you should keep these questions in mind:

1. Can your roof support solar panels?

This is one of the most important considerations before you go through with your solar panel installation. If your roof is damaged and needs repair, or if it’s old and will need a replacement within the next few years, it’s best to take fix those before going through with a solar installation. As a result, you won’t have to pay the extra costs to dismantle the system and then re-install it after these issues have been addressed.

Because the solar panels will increase the amount of weight on your roof, your roof must be structurally sound enough to hold that weight. It’s critical to have a solar professional evaluate your roof to determine whether or not it will need additional support.

2. Is your roof the right shape and type?

When we think of roofs, most of us envision a standard gable roof, which is shaped by two sloping sides that meet in a point at the top. This is the most common roof type we see on modern buildings. But roofs come in all different shapes and sizes — flat, mono-pitched shed or lean-to, curved, pyramid or hip, mansard, dormer, and more. Each roof surface must be evaluated for sufficient space to accommodate solar panels. These roof types also have different degrees of pitch, which can affect the panel’s exposure to the sun and therefore your energy output.

3. Which direction does the slope of your roof face?

Your solar panels are like sponges for the sun. The more light they get, the more energy you produce in return. Thankfully, michigan is one of the sunniest states in the u.S., so we’re in a prime location for solar power. However, if your roof isn’t facing the sun, your panels won’t be able to produce the maximum amount of energy. To get the most out of your installation, it is ideal to place the solar panels on a south facing roof surface. The parts of your roof that face west can also be good candidates for solar panels, and depending on the pitch and azimuth of your roof, solar panels can sometimes even be installed on east or north facing roof surfaces.

4. How efficient is your home?

In addition to evaluating the condition of your roof, you should also consider the energy efficiency of your home. If you have an older hvac, insufficient insulation, or windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed, it may be more cost effective to makemenergy efficiency improvements to your home before installing solar panels. By reducing your energy usage first, you can install a smaller system and improve your overall payback.

5. How do you connect to the grid?

Anytime you interconnect a distributed generation energy system with the grid, there are some administrative logistics to consider. It’s important to know how the utility works in your area. Here are some questions to ask:

• how long will it take to get hooked up?

• Are you responsible for paying any fees?

• How will you be credited for the generated electricity?

• How long will it take to be credited for your generated electricity?

6. What about warranties?

There are many types of solar panels, and they are known for being durable and long-lasting. Still, it’s important to know that you’re covered in case anything should happen during their lifetime. Warranties, which usually cover equipment and production performance, vary by manufacturer. Moreover, there are a number of components connected to your system, such as the inverter, monitoring equipment and software, and even the racking, that may be covered under separate warranties by other companies.

A typical industry warranty guarantees that the panels will generate at 80% of the rated power after 20 years of use. The most comprehensive warranty, offered by sunpower, covers all parts and labor for the entire system for 25 years, as well as a 92 percent production guarantee after 25 years.

7. Will you take advantage of rebates and other financial incentives?

There are quite a few factors that influence your total solar panel installation cost, including the size of your setup, your energy usage, and your utility company’s net metering policies. The good news is that solar rebates can drastically reduce the overall cost.

The federal government is on board with solar energy and gives incentives to anyone who harnesses this clean, sustainable form of energy. The solar investment tax credit (itc) is a 30 percent tax credit for residential and commercial properties through december of 2019. The percentage rate decreases incrementally each year, dropping to 26 percent in 2020, then to 22 percent in 2021, and finally to 10 percent in 2022. So, the sooner you complete your solar panel installation, the more you’ll save overall.

8. How much energy do you use?

Additional cost factors you’ll want to consider are related to your energy usage:

how much energy you consume now — the more electricity you use, the greater the savings and payback from a solar panel installation in michigan.

Whether that usage will increase or decrease in the future — if you are planning to put in a pool, purchase an electric vehicle, or add to your family, your electricity usage will go up.

How your usage varies from month to month throughout the year — electricity usage typically peaks during the hot summer months in michigan due to the higher air conditioning load as we try to stay cool.

Talk with your solar contractor to design a solar panel installation that can best accommodate your energy needs throughout the year, taking into account utility net metering policies, and maximize your overall savings.

9. What type of solar installation will you choose?

If you’re in the market for residential solar panels, you can choose from a standard roof installation, a ground-mounted system, or a solar carport. It just depends on what you prefer based on your energy needs, design aesthetic, and amount of available space. Keep in mind that it is also important to know that not all solar panels are created equal. Do your research on the best solar panels, and be sure to ask your solar installer what type of equipment they will use on your home.

10. Will my HOA have specific guidelines to follow?

The good news about HOAs and solar panels is that many states — including michiagan — have declared it unlawful for an hoa to deny homeowners the right to have solar panels on their home. Still, some HOAs may have restrictions with regard to sizing and placement of those panels, so it’s best to check first before you begin the process. If you encounter resistance, check with a solar installer to find out if they will help advocate for you with your HOA.

Now that you’ve brushed up on your solar FAQs, it’s time to start generating a lifetime of clean, sustainable energy! At srinergy solar, we know it’s important to work with a company you can trust. As the largest residential solar provider in michigan, we’ve outfitted thousands of homes with solar panel installations. There’s a reason why so many homeowners, as well as commercial businesses office depot, are so happy with our quality installations and our friendly, helpful installers. We want you to be our next happy customer —contact us today for a free consultation, and join us in the solar revolution!

Ways Your City can Make Going Solar Easier

Residents, businesses, and municipalities across the U.S. are more and more readily taking advantage of alternative energy sources, especially solar power, than ever before. Millions of homes use solar energy their homes, reducing their carbon footprint, helping the environment, and reducing their utility payments.

As a city government, you can play a big role in the local adoption of alternative energy. Follow the steps below for you to bring solar power to your residents.

Leading By Example: Solar Panel Installation on Municipal Building

People follow working examples. Your city government can help set the pace for your city’s residents by installing solar panels on your public buildings. This adaption will help reduce your electricity bills as well as positioning your city as more marketable, especially to attract younger residents. 

Invest in Local Financing Opportunities

There are many resources for financing solar power installation and running for your residents. One popular option to look into is the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE). This program provides local and state money for residents and businesses to make energy improvements then make repayment through their property taxes. Consider partnering with local banks and financial institutions to get the best options for you, your partner, and those who call your city home.

Reduce the Barriers for Your Residents

Installation is one of the highest costs of solar power adaption and thus one of the biggest areas to reduce costs. Costs that go beyond materials such as permits and zoning factor into the cost of a new system - by reducing fees of permits and speeding up approval processes, you can encourage solar power investment. Contact the Department of Energy’s Solar program to get help reforming your permit process.

Create a “Solar panels” Community with the Right Partner

Consider changing your municipal policies about new homes and buildings. Many local governments ensure that new construction includes designs to facilitate solar energy installation making buildings much more able to “go solar.” Working with an experienced, established company like Michigan Solar Solutions can help you achieve your alternative energy goals. Change is usually not easy, but choosing to partner with a company with over a decade of experience helping cities, residents, businesses, and more gain the advantages of solar energy makes all the difference.

Reach out to the nearest location of Michigan Solar Solutions to you today to discuss your options.

How many peak sun hours do solar panels need?

In case you're thinking about Solar Panels Installation for your home, you are presumably pondering whether you get enough daylight where you live. You may have likewise heard that it's the aggregate sum of daylight, however, the 'Peak sun hours' you get that is a key model. In this article, we clarify what this term means, and how the quantity of sun hours differs all around.

Despite the fact that Solarpanels produce power during every minute of the day, they work best when the sun's beams sparkle straightforwardly on them.

However, precisely how long a day does that occur? Furthermore, how is the measure of direct daylight influenced by area and season?

This is the place the idea of pinnacle sun hours comes in to play.

What are ‘peak sun hours’?

A peak sun hour does exclude only an hour when the sun is out in the sky. Rather, it alludes to an hour wherein your solar panels produce a specific measure of vitality.

Each peak sun hour is characterized as one hour when the force of daylight (sun oriented irradiance) arrives at a normal of 1,000 watts of vitality for every square meter (generally 10.5 feet).

peak sun hours additionally shift contingent upon where your sun oriented boards are put. At the end of the day, the pinnacle sun hours' an incentive for one piece of the house maybe not the same as its incentive for another piece of the house.

These factors can affect the number of peak sun hours:

Direction: The course your solar projects Michigan are confronting influences the force of the daylight, just as the aggregate sum of daylight got.

Shading: Even if all the sun based boards face a similar bearing, they may encounter sun hours on various occasions dependent on when a tree (or other checks) throws conceal on them.

How many peak sun hours does a solar panel ideally need?

The more solar energy panels gets, the greater the power it produces. In a perfect situation for solar panels would get immediate daylight 24 hours per day, consistently. Lamentably, the sun doesn't remain at one spot in the sky, mists do appear from time to time, and afterward, there is the entire dawn and dusk thing we can't keep away from.

So how about we reword the inquiry: what number pinnacle sun hours do we at that point need to make sunlight based power a feasible choice?

To handle this inquiry, how about we separate a few numbers. In 2017, the normal power utilization of a house in the US was 867kWh per month, which is about 28kWh every day.

We realize that during top sun hours, a solar panels ought to hypothetically create 1,000 W/m2. Be that as it may, sunlight based boards don't work at 100% productivity. Every single solar fram now adays accompany a Standard Test Conditions (STC) rating, which is the measure of vitality those boards can really deliver during top sun hours.