Going solar is a big decision. When you install a solar system, you’re making a long-term investment in your home or business, often for 25 years or more. Done right, it can provide meaningful savings and long-term peace of mind. It’s not something that should be rushed.
At NJ Renewable Energy, we believe in helping you make an informed decision. Our approach is simple. We take the time to educate, answer questions clearly, and guide you through the process so you can feel confident every step of the way.
Not all solar companies operate the same way. A lower price upfront does not always mean better value. In some cases, it can lead to higher costs later due to service issues, poor workmanship, or lack of long-term support.
To help you evaluate your options, we’ve put together a list of important questions to ask any solar installer. A reputable, experienced company should be able to answer each of these clearly and confidently.
Table of Contents
1. How long has your company been in business?
Even outside the solar industry, home services is a very difficult industry to succeed in. Solar companies that have been around for a long time, navigating the various government incentives that have come and gone, have a proven track record of successful installations and customer satisfaction.
They’ve built relationships in their community and know the local codes and power company regulations back to front.
If an installer has been in business for a long time, they’ll probably stay in business to honor your system warranties and provide support when needed.
2. How long do your workmanship and manufacturer warranties last, and what do they cover?
Understanding your component warranties is crucial when investing in solar energy. Installers typically offer a workmanship warranty to cover installation-related issues, and the components they use (such as panels and inverters) are covered by their own warranties.
Most workmanship warranties last 10-20 years, while manufacturer warranties can range from 10-15 years for batteries and 25-30 years for panels and inverters.
Understanding the duration and scope of your warranties helps you protect yourself from unforeseen costs down the road.
3. Who will be handling the installation? Will it be your team or subcontractors?
Some companies only scope and sell solar systems and don’t handle the installations themselves. Using this model can create a tricky situation with insurance and warranties, and doesn’t guarantee a well-designed project.
Companies that use in-house teams often have better control over the installation process and can usually ensure higher quality standards.
4. Can you provide references from past customers or put me in touch with one?
By speaking directly with previous customers, you can get a sense of their experience with that installer, including how any issues were handled and their overall satisfaction with the installation process and system performance.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone or have trouble getting a hold of a past customer, you can also ask your potential installer if they have case studies or interviews with past customers.
5. Do you have an electrical license, NABCEP certification, and insurance?
Make sure your installer is licensed and insured to handle solar installations in your area.
An electrical license ensures that the company meets local code requirements, while NABCEP certification shows that they’re committed to industry standards.
Certifications from recognized organizations, such as the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), are one of the most reliable ways to gauge the quality of solar system installers.
6. Do you have your own electricians on staff in-house?
Electricians are certified to ensure that all wiring and electrical connections meet local codes and safety standards.
They also understand how to properly connect the solar system to the main electrical panel, ensuring it functions efficiently and safely.
Many local governments require licensed electricians to perform or oversee solar installations before that installation can pass inspections, but not every solar company has them on staff.
Having in-house electricians is a sign of a well-rounded and experienced solar company. In-house staff are typically more familiar with a company’s standards and practices and more invested in keeping the customer happy than sub-contractors.
7. What are your payment options?
If someone is pressuring you to sign a lease or PPA agreement on the spot, that should be a red flag. Leases and PPAs aren’t bad products, but there are several ways to pay for solar. You shouldn’t let a solar company pressure you into any specific payment option. Good installers will have several payment options and We’ll work with you to find the best one for your situation..
Most installers offer a few different ways to pay for solar systems through their financing partners. These include:
- Cash Purchase: Paying upfront will always bring the most significant savings over time since there are no ongoing payments and no interest to pay off a loan.
- Solar Loan: Finance your system with a loan, paying it off over time while enjoying the reduced power bills and other benefits of solar energy..
- Solar Lease/PPA: Pay monthly for the solar energy your system produces while someone else owns and maintains the system.
8. How long will my payback period/lease agreement be? (if financing vs. paying in cash)
Solar is an asset, not an expense. No matter how you finance your solar system, it will pay for itself eventually.
The payback period is the time it takes for your energy savings, incentives, and rebates to cover the cost of your solar system. This period can vary significantly depending on whether you finance the system or pay in cash and what your state and local incentives are.
A shorter payback period means quicker returns on your investment. A reputable installer will ensure you’re on the shortest payback period possible for your situation. A payback period of 20-30 years should make you pause and reconsider.
9. What’s the most complex project you’ve handled to date?
Complex projects might include large-scale commercial installations, systems on unconventional roofs, or systems in areas with challenging regulations.
If the company you’re talking to has built large solar energy systems on warehouses, farms, and townships, and you just need them to build a small system on your home’s roof, it’s almost certain that they’re qualified.
10. Who handles the paperwork for utility interconnection and permits?
We were once called in to fix a system that had been installed by an out-of-state installer that had gone out of business, leaving them stranded with no one to service the system. The client told us that the installer made her and her brother interface and negotiate with the power company and handle interconnection paperwork themselves.
This is not the industry standard. A good solar installer will negotiate with the township and utility on your behalf, saving you time and ensuring everything is done correctly.
The process of interconnecting your solar system to the grid and obtaining the necessary permits can be complicated. A reputable installer will be in your corner from day one.
11. Will you confirm that my roof is structurally sound to support panels?
It’s critical to ensure that your roof can support the added weight of a solar system, but not every company has engineers on staff who are qualified to do so. Some companies may not even visit your home in person before installation begins, instead relying on plans and blueprints to make an educated guess.
Reputable installers will assess your roof’s condition during a site visit and advise you on any necessary reinforcements you might need to make before any work begins.
12. What is the procedure for future roof replacement, and is there an associated cost of removing and reinstalling panels?
If installed correctly, solar panels will not damage your roof. However, your roof may not last as long as your solar system. In this case, your roof will need to be replaced, and the system must be moved to accommodate the replacement.
Your installer will need to remove and reinstall the panels. There may be an associated cost for this, or it may be included in the upfront price of your system. Knowing the process and costs involved will help you plan for any potential future expenses.
13. Will my home’s value increase?
Studies have shown that homes with solar systems are more likely to sell over the asking price and spend less time on the market than homes that don’t.
A home with a solar system has a greatly reduced electricity cost. Whoever buys the home will spend less on power, freeing up thousands of dollars per year in their personal budget.
The exact increase in value will depend on factors like your location, the size of the system, and market conditions in your area. Your installer may have data or testimonials from past customers who have shared how much their home value went up after installing solar.
14. What happens if I decide to sell my house?
Make sure you’ll be free and clear if you want to sell your house once the solar system is on it. Your installer should be able to give you a clear answer to this question.
Selling should be a straightforward process if you own your solar system outright. Your system will simply transfer to the owner of the new house.
In certain cases, like some leasing agreements, you may need to pay out the remaining lease value before you’re allowed to sell your house.
It’s important to check your legal rights under any leasing or PPA agreement and make sure that there is a clear process for selling your home.
If selling a financed system, you may need to transfer ownership of the solar equipment’s loan to the new buyer. They may need to qualify for the loan separately.
Make sure you know exactly what needs to happen and who to talk to if you need to sell your home.
15. Who should I contact if there is an issue, and what kind of service wait time can I expect?
A reliable installer will have a dedicated service team to monitor your system remotely and address your maintenance needs, providing ongoing support throughout the system’s life. You should be able to reach them easily.
16. Which rebates and incentives apply to my system? Federal? State? Others?
Some state-specific rebates, tax incentives, and energy buyback programs will significantly reduce the overall cost of going solar. These can vary from state to state. A knowledgeable installer will guide you through the process of claiming the incentives that are right for you and making sure you get the greatest possible ROI.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey have programs for Net Metering and SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits), which bring solar system owners additional income each year.
17. Will you monitor my system’s performance after installation and alert me if there are problems?
Most reputable solar companies offer remote monitoring services to track your system’s performance and notify you if something goes wrong.
They should have a dedicated team member who handles monitoring and sends out service requests based on their findings. Make sure you also read reviews and testimonials from past customers to get an idea of how well they handle system servicing.
18. Does your system offer panel-level monitoring, or is monitoring an additional cost?
Most modern solar systems have inverters capable of tracking each panel’s production separately or the system’s total production. Monitoring allows the installer to track the system’s performance, helping you identify and address any underperforming parts.
Most of the time, this is included in the cost of the system (but not always). It’s important to ask your installer upfront to ensure they’re using top-quality components that are easy to repair.
19. How do I access the monitoring system?
You may be able to access remote monitoring through an app or online portal! Enphase Enlighten or the Enphase App are great examples of what this might look like in practice. You’ll install an app on your phone that shows you your system’s performance, with easy-to-read charts and graphs showing how much clean energy your solar system is pumping out.
This is your data, and you should have easy access to it. It’s critical to ensure your installer isn’t keeping it hidden from you.
20. Who is accountable for fixing any damage to my home during installation or if a penetration in the roof results in a water leak?
If you work with a reputable installer, it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter this situation. Unfortunately, accidents can happen during installation, and it’s important to know who will take responsibility for any damage to your property.
Reputable installers will have insurance to cover incidents like this and should be able to clearly outline their process for addressing and repairing any damage.
Where to go from here
If you’re considering solar, you deserve a thoughtful, informed experience with a company that respects your home and your investment.
If you’re located in New Jersey, NJ Renewable Energy is here to help you explore your options and determine what makes the most sense for your home or business.
You can get started by requesting a free estimate and speaking with our team.