What You Should Know About California Solar Installers

Installing a solar power system in your house can have significant benefits. Using solar power can reduce your long-term utility costs by protecting you from the utility company's price hikes. Using a solar power system will help cut you cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and thus help to slow the progress of global climate change. Over the past few years, solar power systems are becoming increasingly reliable, so you need not worry about power outages caused by high usages or bad weather. In addition, the state of California, the federal government, and some California municipalities offer a number of tax incentives and credits to encourage consumers to make the move to solar power.

If you've decided that a solar power system makes sense for you, you should take several steps when you start to look for a company to install your system in your California home or business.

Start by finding out what companies in your area install PV systems, and eliminate any installers from consideration that have not been in business for several years. The field has changed so much over the past few years that a long track record is a valuable indicator of the quality of work an installer will do.

Then, narrow the field down further by striking out any installers that don't have significant experience installing the kind of system that you are buying.

Next, make appointments with the installers who are left on your list. Prepare a detailed description of the system you would like and give this description to the installers in advance of your meeting, so they can be prepared to discuss it with you. Ask the installers to refer you to customers who have the same kind of system, so you can learn something about the company's customer service and performance.

Be sure to confirm that the installer carries adequate liability insurance and is bonded. A company that is "bonded" has posted a surety bond with the state contractor board to guarantee customers some financial security.

Find out what industry certifications the company and its employees have. Important certifications in the solar power installation industry in California include NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), of which there are fewer than 300 nationwide; CALSEIA (California Solar Energy Industry Association), which advocates for the solar power industry at the state level; SEIA (Solar Energy Industry Association), the national trade organization for solar energy providers; and Environment California, a citizen-based environmental advocacy group. The company also should have California-issued electrical licenses, specifically C-46, the Solar California Contractors License, and C-10, the Electrical California Contractors License.

Business affiliations that the company should have include membership in the Better Business Bureau and other organizations that monitor customer satisfaction, and in any local or regional "green" business associations.

When you have narrowed the field to two or three installers, ask for detailed cost estimates and timelines for accomplishing the work. Armed with all this information, you should be able to make an informed decision and choose a solar installer who will do a good job for you.