# Solar Installation Company: What to Look For - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/04/solar-installation-companywhat-to-look-for/ - Published: 2017-04-18T01:55:01-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Solar Installation Company Let’s talk solar installation company. For when you compare it to remodeling a kitchen or installing a new bathroom. Common. Because getting solar panels installed on your roof. So it especially can seem to be more exciting than having insulation blown into your attic. That being said, getting the insulation and having the solar panels installed can both be a home improvement that will keep giving you more. In fact, it can [even](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/05/top-eco-friendly-home-renovations-to-start-before-the-summer-heat/) pay for itself in time. In the past 20 years, [solar panel installations](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/06/original-study-reveals-160-increase-in-solar-panel-installations-in-20-years/) have been on the rise. Some state governments even offer incentives for this. ### What to look for in a solar installation company How do you know what to look for in a solar installation company though? Let’s take a closer look. ## ![solar installation company](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_0300-3234630419-1522105513508.jpg?resize=313%2C181&quality=52&ssl=1) ### Solar Installation Company License Number When you are looking for a reputable company, like [Ion Solar](https://web.archive.org/web/20181118232132/https://ionsolar.com/), to install your solar panels, you need to find out their license number. Once you know what that number is, research it. Each state will have a website that will allow you to look this number up. Once you have done that, you will be able to find out things like their standing. In addition, how long they have been in business. If they cannot provide you with a license number, no go. I mean you need to find another installation company period. #### Quote and System Design Another [question to ask before you choose a solar company](https://web.archive.org/web/20170620120547/http://blog.sungevity.com/solar-faqs/10-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-solar-company/) is in regards to their quote and design. You need to know how accurate these things typically are for them. This is because when they can do this accurately, they will not only be able to provide you with a solution that meets your current needs. However, it will also be sufficient for your needs in the future. Especially so you can get the most in terms of savings. Beyond that, more accurate your system is designed up front. That’s so there’s less chance that you will need to make any changes in the future. Systems that have been designed poorly will be more likely to need changes. Especially after the contract has been signed. You need to know how the contract will address any changes of this nature. Moreover and whether or not you have an option to approve or deny them or even to cancel. ### Crew Outsourcing? This can be terribly important. Often, companies will make the decision on outsourcing installations versus doing it themselves. ⌊Installing PV solar panels on a green roof⌉⌊Installing PV solar panels on a green roof⌉ This means that the company that has quoted your installation might not know anything at all about the crew that will do the installation or how they may or may not have been trained. When you have contractors who will be installing a solar panel system on your roof, this means that you will have people walking around and drilling holes in your roof. This is something that can be quite serious and you need to be able to take comfort in the knowledge that they were properly trained. Ask the installation company for specifics regarding the relationship they have with the contractors and look for things like installation partners in your contract. #### Referrals Anytime you hire a company to do anything to your home. So you need to get referrals and then check them out. Ask for names and numbers for some of their past customers. I mean or at least addresses. Call those former customers and ask them about their experience with the company. You might also want to drive by the houses or places of business to take a peek at what kind of work they did. #### Reasonable Quotes Are the quotes for your system installation reasonable? This can be tricky. The thing is, pricing across the country should be about the same. However, solar incentives that are offered by each state can vary vastly. If you would like a nice round number for this, one reasonable estimate would be $4,000 per kilowatt capacity for the system. This would be for the gross cost. I mean, what it would cost before any credits and or rebates. The critical part of this lies in your second and third quotes. Getting multiple quotes from a variety of installation companies can create a price competition between the companies to get your business. You might also get a better picture of issues that might arise that you never considered. Be sure to get answers to any questions you have. If they can’t answer those questions, they aren’t the right company for you. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) ## Comments ### By: Anna - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/04/solar-installation-companywhat-to-look-for/#comment-25688 - Published: 2017-04-19T09:41:46-04:00 Thanks for the tips, solar panels are a great way of doing our bit for the environment so these advice points are really useful for those of us looking for a credible solar installation company!