7 Questions a Solar Energy Consultant Should Ask
In order to avoid becoming a statistic involving the ugly side of the solar revolution, it is vitally important that a solar energy consultant ask you investigative questions. I’m sure that you’ve heard of the many horror stories of customers being sold overpriced/undersized/inoperable systems, uninformed and sleazy sales reps, as well as solar energy companies going out of business at alarming numbers!! A whole home solar power system will be a permanent fixture on your roof for 25 years+ so you want to be ABSOLUTELY 100% sure you chose the right solar panel contractor to do the job. So, if you’re in the exploratory stages of going solar and are looking for the best local solar company, we’ll be covering the 7 questions a solar energy consultant should be asking you.
1) Are you expecting any new home additions/add-ons?
Indoor appliances such as HVAC units, freezers, washers/dryers as well as pool pumps and electric vehicle chargers consume a tremendous amount of kWh. You also want to inform the solar energy consultant if you plan on adding an additional room, an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or expecting an additional resident like a returning college student.
At All In 1 Solar we calculate how much energy your expected to consume after going solar so that your solar panel system will continue to offset your annual usage and the expected home additions and/or add-ons.
2) How old is your roof?
This question is particularly important given that your answer can potentially save you from spending tens of thousands of dollars in the relatively new future. The costs of removing panels and reinstalling them can get very costly. To avoid this, a solar energy consultant will assess your roof stability and provide a quote for a replacement if needed:
– If your roof is less than 5-10 years old without any visible leaks or damage than your roof is stable enough to support a solar power system no problem.
– You might want to consider a replacement before installing solar panels if your roof is 10+ years old. After our initial site survey, we’ll be able to determine if your roof would qualify.
– Roofs that are 20+ years old we would highly recommend replacing your roof prior to installing a solar power system.
3) Are you interested in a solar battery, if so, for what reason(s)?
If you live in California, this question in my opinion is one of the most important of them all. Residents serviced in the territories of the “big 3” utility companies (SCE, SDG&E, PG&E) are receiving only $.04 – $.08kWh to the dollar for the electricity sent back to the grid as of April 2023. Therefore, it only makes economic sense to store your energy when rates are low during the day then discharge that cheaper stored energy during the evening when solar production has gone offline and electricity rates are higher. This type of battery is utilized for energy arbitrage or self-consumption mode only.
Conversely, those of you that still enjoy a favorable 1 for 1 electricity buyback policy can escape the extra costs of purchasing a battery – unless you experience power outages or blackouts. This is where a battery with backup capabilities is most beneficial. Your solar sales rep or consultant should then be asking you which circuits or appliances that are “must haves” or “nice to haves” running during a power outage. “Must haves” or essential loads would be considered medical equipment, kitchen or living room outlets. Non-essentials or “nice to haves” include washer/dryer, HVAC system or dishwasher.
4) Are you retired or living on a fixed income?
This question is the quickest and easiest way to determine if you qualify for the 30% federal tax credit. Typically, those living on a fixed or low-income would be ineligible for receiving the tax credit therefore we would highly recommend leasing your system or purchasing your power at a fixed flat rate. You won’t own your system but you’ll be free of any monitoring or maintenance with our 25 year warranty and production guarantee. All In 1 Solar will provide you with all necessary the information you’ll need to present to your tax professional or CPA (prior to signing any documents) and they will be able to determine whether it would be sensible to own or lease your system.
5) Do you have a copy of your most recent electricity bill? Preferably the last 12 months?
Solar energy companies will typically ask for your monthly utility bill in order to offer a quote for you to either move forward with or shop around. This is also how we determine the size of your system. All In 1 Solar would recommend providing the full 12 months usage (minimum 6 months) for a more accurate assessment of your energy consumption. Believe it or not, handing over the utility bill(s) is one of the hardest things to do as a homeowner when considering the transition to solar. This is because oftentimes homeowners mistrust solar sales reps with this type of information and/or it’s not easily accessible for whatever reasons. However, providing the utility bill not only implies interest but also a willingness to at least explore the solar energy option. In addition, it gives the homeowner an idea of what a solar energy system would cost for their home specifically. That being said, if any contractor or sales rep gives you a guestimate as to how much your system will cost without a utility bill, expect an inaccurate solar proposal and quote.
6) Would you mind having your panels visible from the street side?
More often than not, homeowners have a difficult time seeing solar panels on the front of their house for all of the world to see. Since I started All In 1 Solar in 2016, to this day, I’ve personally experienced several customers refuse solar for the sole reason that the panels are an eye sore and diminishes curb appeal. This is despite the fact that there’s the potential to save hundreds of dollars each month on electricity, including accruing over tens, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime savings. Be sure to insist that your solar rep or consultant provides you with a solar panel layout on your roof for approval before making any final decisions and signing any document(s). At All In 1 Solar, we give our customers the option to choose the optimal roof plane to place their solar panels and relocate as needed prior to the final design being submitted for installation.
7) Motivation to go solar, or not
Speaking to several home and business owners about solar in my 8+ years as a solar energy consultant, I’ve found there to be 5 classifications that each and every person would fall under when it comes to the adoption of solar energy:
1) The individual that wants to save the environment.
2) The individual that wants to save money.
3) The individual that wants to save both the environment & money.
4) The individual that only cares to be prepared for natural disasters, a foreign or domestic attack on our energy infrastructure or our aging electrical grid.
5) The individual that doesn’t believe in solar AT ALL.
Each of these are valid justifications regarding the various motivations for an individual to go solar. None of them are wrong or right, but at the end of the day it all strictly depends on the needs and wants of the end user – you, the homeowner.
We’re Here to Guide You Through This
When the time comes and you decide to go solar, make sure that your solar energy consultant or local solar broker, covers at least all of the questions mentioned above. Now of course there are several other questions that should be asked in order to determine your solar eligibility – if interested, reach out to see if you qualify. Our advisors and consultants at All In 1 Solar are here to answer your solar questions and help determine your unique needs for free. Want to find out more? Check out our handbook, ‘Residential Solar-Cation 101’ for a simple to read summary of how solar energy works. Or simply email us at info@allin1solar.com.