The Top 16 Questions to ask your Solar Installer
Choosing a solar installer is an important decision. Installing solar is a relationship, not a transaction, as the production and system representations extend out over many years, sometimes decades. This makes it critical to choose a reputable installer that maintains the highest standards of quality and business practices. This list is intended to help future solar energy adopters make an informed choice when researching installation partners. Your installer should be able to answer all of these questions to your satisfaction. We have provided our answers below.
1. Are you licensed and insured for solar energy work?
Optimus Solar is fully licensed in the State of Florida; we carry our own worker’s compensation, general liability, vehicle and additional umbrella coverages. This ensures you as the owner are protected during and after installation.
2. How do you estimate annual production, and do you financially guarantee that production?
Optimus Solar uses a software program called Aurora Solar to evaluate each site. This product takes into account weather patterns, shading and panel degradation to calculate long-term system performance. Further, to ensure the integrity of our business, we offer a ‘payback guarantee’ on every solar energy system: if the production falls short of our representation at any point prior to your represented “break-even” date, we will pay you the difference within 30 days. What we represent as the financial benefit remains so.
3. Are your installers your employees or sub-contracted?
Optimus Solar team members are our employees, covered by our insurance and following our procedures. Sub-contracting installation is a common practice in the industry, but when this occurs the homeowner can be left exposed due to inadequate insurance.
4. Are there any additional fees for things such as utility interconnection or electrical work outside of our agreement?
Optimus Solar’s price is a turn-key, guaranteed price with no change orders.
5. Can an HOA/POA prevent me from going solar?
Florida Statute 163.04 states that an HOA cannot prevent a homeowner from installing solar on their fee-simple residence, and has limited ability to alter the direction or appearance of the panels.
6. Do you confirm that my roof is structurally sound to handle the addition of solar panels?
Yes, we take the time to perform an attic inspection to ensure the structural components are sound prior to signing a contract and guaranteeing our work.
7. Does your warranty cover the roof penetrations?
Yes, we have a 10-year workmanship warranty that covers our roof penetrations (excluding unrelated roof defects or leaks).
8. How long will permit approval and subsequent installation take?
Permit approval varies according to each jurisdiction. In our experience, the following timeline is a reasonable expectation:
Day 1 – Sign Contract
Day 6 – Receive engineering/submit for permit
Day 18 – Receive permit
Day 26 – Begin installation
Day 28 – Complete installation
Day 45 – Receive new meter from utility and turn on system
We have had meters changed as quickly as 14 days from date of contract signing, with 45 days being a reasonable expectation.
9. What is the payment structure and how much is due up-front?
Optimus Solar ensures the owner is always protected with our payment structure. 10% is due upon contract execution and allows for engineering and permit approvals. 40% is then due to secure materials and get on the installation schedule. 50% is due at the time your utility changes the meter and you see production happening in real-time.
10. Can I add more panels later?
If you desire to add more panels in the future, this is something that needs to be planned in advance. The correct sizing of the inverter and certain electrical components will allow for future expansion of many systems.
11. How does the warranty differ based on each component?
Warranties on components are carried by each manufacturer. Optimus Solar ensures the owner is represented and will handle all claims through our office with the manufacturer. Warranties differ, but general expectations can be: 12 years workmanship on panels, 12-year inverter warranty, 25-year optimizer warranty and 25-year racking system warranty.
12. How do you handle maintenance and warranty items?
Optimus Solar handles all maintenance and warranty in a turn-key fashion… we serve as your point of contact for all warranty items, whether or not they deal with Optimus’ workmanship. This ensure ease of repair for the owner. Additionally, and somewhat uniquely we escrow 3% of every solar energy installation into a non-operational account that is set aside specifically for maintenance and repairs. This ensures you as the owner have peace of mind that future liabilities are accounted for and not just ‘hoped to be covered’.
13. Can you provide customer references?
Yes, we provide customer references to all potential solar adopters, and work hard to ensure previous solar energy clients are available to those considering a system.
14. Will you perform an audit of my energy use and suggest ways to reduce overall energy consumption?
Yes. One of the best ways to maximize the return on investment on your solar energy system is to improve efficiency of consumption in conjunction with solar installation. This can take many forms, with some of the more cost-effective options being to:
Replace your water heater with a heat-pump heater
Ensure there are no obvious air leaks to the outside
Upgrade your air conditioning for systems older than 15 years
15. Which tax incentives am I eligible for, and how are they received?
Currently in Florida, the only tax incentive available to solar energy adopters is the federal income tax credit of 26% (2020). This credit is a dollar for dollar credit, not a deduction, and offsets personal or business federal income tax bills.
16. Is your company involved in any charity work consistent with solar energy adoption?
At Optimus Solar, for every kW of solar energy installed we donate $10 to Conservation Florida. To date, we have donated thousands to their cause, and are humbled by the work they do in ensuring the future and beauty of our State.