As high as electricity costs can be in the Bay Area, adding solar seems like a simple and effective way to dramatically reduce your utility costs. But it can be easy to make mistakes when you are configuring and installing your solar system. To prevent unnecessary hassle and expense, we've compiled this guide to common regrets homeowners have after they have gone solar, and how to avoid them. Take care to avoid these common solar installation regrets:
1. Getting Low-Quality Solar Panels
Whether you choose them yourself or you select an unusually low bid for the solar installation, it's best to avoid solar panels from no-name manufacturers. Leading industry brands like Solaria and Silfab Solar offer highly-efficient, top-tier solar panels with a warranty that you can count on. If you are unsure about a particular brand, ask a solar industry professional for advice. Low-quality panels may only produce a fraction of the rated output while having a shorter service life and a warranty that offers very little practical protection.
2. Not Taking Advantage of Tax Incentives
There are plenty of tax incentives and rebates out there that encourage the installation of solar systems. The federal government offers a tax credit worth up to 30% of the installed cost of your system, including labor. State and local rebates are available as well, especially for low-income or at-risk families. California also offers net metering, which allows you to earn credits on your utility bill for any extra power you produce.
3. Not Considering Solar Batteries
Most grid-tied solar systems will shut down if the utility grid loses power because the solar system relies on the utility grid to buffer incoming energy and store any extra. By adding solar batteries, you can have power even when the grid is down, and you can avoid using grid power during peak periods of demand. Solar batteries may even qualify you for more tax incentives. Plus, if you take part in net energy metering, solar batteries will allow you to sell power back to the utility company at times with higher rates.
4. Not Getting a Full, Accurate Quote
Before you sign a contract with any solar installer, make sure you have a detailed written quote, including all materials, labor, taxes, financing charges, and service fees. If you receive a ballpark estimate with no written quote, at the end of the job, you may find yourself surprised by a collection of hidden fees, taxes, and surcharges. Choose a reputable solar installer, get recommendations from trusted friends and family, and always check references and online reviews.
5. Not Maintaining or Protecting Your Panels
Solar panels are durable and require very little maintenance, but they should be inspected by a professional periodically to make sure they are working properly. Dirty or damaged panels can suffer from reduced output or shortened service lives, and they can be quite expensive to repair. For the greatest reliability, have your entire system inspected once every year or two.
6. Not Sizing the System Properly
To save the most on your electricity costs, your solar system needs to be large enough to power every electrical device in your home, plus it should produce some extra power to store in batteries or sell back to the grid so that you can compensate for a lack of solar power after dark or on cloudy days. A solar professional can help you size your system properly and determine what equipment you need for it to run smoothly.
Solar Installations in the Bay Area & Fresno, CA
Are you ready to try solar in your California home or business? Talk to our experts at Simply Solar. We can design and install a solar system that meets your electrical needs, and we can help you find all the applicable solar incentives to maximize your budget. Since 2014, we have helped Californians with thousands of solar projects, and we work with the industry's top manufacturers to bring our customers the highest-quality solar panels, solar inverters, solar batteries, and more. We offer an impressive guarantee on all our solar installations, as well as a 25-year workmanship warranty.
To request your free quote for a solar installation in the bay area, call (707) 285-7037 today or contact us online.
