Introduction
The DroneQuote Consumer Guide is invaluable for homeowners needing guidance in selecting a solar provider and signing a solar contract. If you want to install a solar energy system in your home, it is crucial to make informed choices to reap long-lasting financial benefits such as reduced energy bills and increased home value while contributing to a cleaner environment. This guide provides useful information and tips to help homeowners make an informed decision.
Conduct Research
One of the key takeaways from the DroneQuote Consumer Guide is the importance of conducting research on the solar provider before signing a contract. This includes verifying the provider’s license and checking their ratings and reviews online. By doing so, homeowners can ensure they are working with a reputable and reliable solar provider who will provide quality service and products.
The guide also emphasizes the importance of getting multiple quotes from different solar providers to compare prices, products, and services. This can help homeowners better understand what is available in the market and make an informed decision based on their specific needs and budget.
Read And Understand
Another valuable tip provided by the DroneQuote Consumer Guide is to take the time to read and fully understand the solar contract before signing. This includes asking questions about the total cost of the system, the payment structure, and any potential fees or costs associated with maintenance or repairs. Homeowners should also be aware of their options if they decide to sell their homes and understand the terms and conditions of the contract.
Additionally, the guide highlights the importance of understanding your rights as a consumer. This includes the right to a copy of the contract in the language the salesperson spoke to you, the right to not feel pressured during the purchase process, and the right to a 3-day cancellation period after signing a contract.
The DroneQuote Consumer Guide also provides important information about the financing options available for solar energy systems, such as solar loans, leases, power purchase agreements, and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. Homeowners should carefully consider the pros and cons of each option and select the one that best suits their financial situation and goals.
Hassle-free review of quotes – Is Solar a Good Fit for Me?
- Check if your roof receives enough sunlight before considering rooftop solar.
- Ensure your home is energy-efficient first to reduce energy consumption and save money.
- If you plan to replace your roof, do it before installing solar.
- If you need help improving energy efficiency, contact your electricity provider for tips or an in-person assessment.
Understand Process & Players
The DroneQuote Consumer Guide can help you understand these parties’ roles. Ensuring you have a successful and hassle-free solar installation experience is important.
Solar providers are the companies that help you buy solar for your home. They work with installers who come to your home to check your roof, ground, and electric conditions and to install the solar system. Ensuring the solar provider and installer are licensed is important to ensure quality work and service.
Solar advocates may also reach out to you on behalf of solar providers. Solar advocates must be registered in California and have a “Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registration.” Checking their registration with the Contractor State License Board is always good.
If you need financing for your solar system, lenders can provide you with a solar loan or PACE financing. PACE administrators manage PACE financing programs and must also be licensed.
Electricity providers interconnect your solar system to the electric grid and send you electricity bills that may include solar bill credits. Manufacturers are the companies that make solar equipment and provide most solar warranties for purchased systems. And finally, city/county inspectors come to your home to ensure the system is up to code to ensure your health and safety.
Overview of a Typical Rooftop Solar Process
- You decide if rooftop solar is a good fit for you.
- Your research and compare Solar providers.
- Solar Provider provides you with a solar contract and Solar Disclosure Document.
- Solar Provider qualifies for financing (if needed).
- Installer performs a home site visit to confirm assumptions and check roof, ground, and electric conditions.
- Solar Provider finalizes system design and applies for building permits with city or county agencies.
- Installer installs the solar system (only after receiving a city/county permit).
- City/County inspector inspects the system for building permit compliance.
- Solar Provider submits an application to the electricity provider to interconnect the solar system to the grid.
- Solar Provider submits city/county inspection approval to the electricity provider.
- Turn on the system only after receiving written approval from the electricity provider.
- The electricity provider sends you your first bill with solar/net energy metering credits.
- Solar Provider sends you the first bill for solar system or solar energy.
- You review solar contracts, Solar Disclosure Documents, and any financing agreements.
- You go through the checklist on page 20 by downloading our Solar Consumer Guide.
- Lender writes up financing agreement (if needed).
Note: *If you use PACE financing, you will not receive a bill from a Lender or Solar Provider. Instead, your payments will be due once or twice a year with your property taxes or monthly with your mortgage payment.
The entire process typically takes 1 to 3 months after you sign a contract to install your home’s solar system. After installation, it typically takes 2-3 weeks to receive approval from your electricity provider to turn your system on, depending on your circumstances.
Review Quotes From Qualified Installers
Shop smart for your solar installation with DroneQuote. We make it easy by sourcing reviews from multiple sites, providing state license information for installers, and checking Better Business Bureau ratings.
Narrow your options by checking license validity, company experience, and customer reviews from trusted sites. Look for installers certified by NABCEP, a high industry standard. Then, request bids from your top choices, and don’t be swayed by the lowest price alone.
Ask plenty of questions to ensure you get a qualified company with top-notch service. Get started with DroneQuote today.
Questions to Ask a Solar Provider Before You Sign a Contract
Before signing a contract with a solar provider, you should ask important questions to ensure you’re making an informed decision. Here are some key questions to consider:
-
Company Background:
Knowing the contractor license number of the solar provider you’re working with is essential. Additionally, you should inquire whether they will subcontract with another company to install the solar system and obtain their contractor license number. You should also ask how long the company has been in business and how many systems they have installed.
-
Design and Roof:
Ask whether your roof is a good candidate for solar and whether it needs to be replaced before installing solar panels. It’s also essential to know why the provider chose the specific design and size for the solar system recommended for you. Finally, ask what steps the company will take to ensure your roof won’t leak and how much it will cost to remove and re-install the panels if you need to replace your roof.
-
Warranties and Performance:
Ask about warranties for panels and inverters and how long they last. Additionally, inquire about warranties for labor/construction and whether repairs and maintenance are included in the contract. Knowing whether you can monitor the system’s performance and if the provider offers a minimum energy guarantee is also important.
-
Electricity Bill Savings Estimates:
Ask for an explanation of why an electricity bill savings estimate is not a guarantee. Additionally, inquire about receiving solar bill credits on your electricity bill and the option to pay your electricity bills monthly instead of annually. Finally, ask about the recommended electricity rate and if your electricity provider offers special rates for solar customers.
-
Impacts on Future Sale of Your Home:
It’s essential to ask whether a solar system will make selling your home or refinance more difficult. For leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and PACE-financed systems, you should inquire about what happens if the homebuyer doesn’t want the solar system or doesn’t qualify to take on your lease, PPA, or PACE-financed system. Additionally, ask whether there are fees for terminating the contract early to sell your house and transferring the lease, PPA, or PACE financing to a new homeowner.
-
Timeline:
Finally, ask when the solar provider proposes to start and finish installing solar on your roof. Additionally, inquire about how long it will take for your electricity provider to send you written approval to turn on the system after installation is complete. Lastly, ask about the situations that would allow you to be released from a contract.
Asking these essential questions can help you decide when choosing a solar provider. Take your time to research and find a reputable and trustworthy solar provider. You can feel confident about switching to solar energy with the right questions.
Financing Options
When it comes to financing solar systems, there are several options available. Let’s look at the four most common financing options for solar installations.
-
Purchase (Cash or Loan):
This option involves paying for the solar system upfront with cash or through a solar loan. With this option, the homeowner owns the solar system and receives all the financial benefits of the system, including tax credits, rebates, and electricity savings. The main advantage of this option is that the homeowner can maximize their financial returns over the system’s lifetime. However, the initial upfront cost can be significant, which may deter some homeowners from choosing this option.
-
Lease:
With a solar lease, the homeowner pays a monthly fee to use the solar system installed on their property. The solar provider owns the system and is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and monitoring. The main advantage of this option is that the upfront cost is usually low or non-existent, and the homeowner can still enjoy some energy savings. However, the homeowner may not be eligible for tax credits or rebates, and the savings may not be as significant as other options.
-
Purchase Agreement (PPA):
A PPA is similar to a lease, but instead of paying a monthly fee, the homeowner pays for the electricity generated by the solar system at a fixed rate. The solar provider owns the system and is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and monitoring. The main advantage of this option is that the homeowner can benefit from the lower electricity rate without any upfront costs. However, the homeowner may not be eligible for tax credits or rebates, and the savings may not be as significant as other options.
-
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy):
PACE financing allows homeowners to finance the cost of the solar system through a special assessment of their property tax bill. The financing is repaid over a period of 5-25 years, and the interest rate is fixed. The main advantage of this option is that the homeowner can spread the cost of the solar system over a long period, and the repayment is tied to the property, not the homeowner. However, PACE financing may have higher interest rates than other financing options, and the financing is tied to the property, which may affect the sale of the property in the future.
Ultimately, the best financing option for a homeowner will depend on their circumstances, including their financial situation, energy usage, and long-term goals. Working with a reputable solar provider and carefully considering all financing options before deciding is essential.
Learn About Electricity Bill Savings
Before signing a rooftop solar contract, it’s important to understand that an electricity bill savings estimate is simply an educated guess. Several factors can impact your savings and potentially lower them from the estimated amount. These factors include unpredictable changes in energy use, fluctuations in electricity prices and rates, and additional costs if you sell your home.
It’s important to ask yourself if getting rooftop solar still makes financial sense, even if the savings are lower than the estimated monthly or yearly savings.
How Net Energy Metering Works with Your Electricity Bill
One of the main ways solar customers save money on their electricity bills is through Net Energy Metering (NEM). This arrangement allows you to receive a credit on your electricity bill when your solar system sends electricity back to the grid. NEM typically credits your bill for the same amount that your electricity provider would have charged you for electricity during that time.
Your monthly electricity bill will show how much electricity you consumed from your electricity provider and how much your solar system exported to the grid. If you exported more than you consumed, you will see an overall credit, which can be carried forward to future bills. You will see an overall charge if you consumed more than you exported.
12-Month Settlement Bill
At the end of a 12-month period, you will receive a Settlement bill that settles all credits and charges. Most solar customers still owe some money to their electricity provider, even though going solar can reduce overall electricity costs.
Combining Solar with Battery Storage
Installing battery storage with your solar system can help maximize your cost savings by allowing you to store excess solar electricity for use in the evening when the sun goes down. The battery storage software can determine whether to store or export the extra energy to the grid. Additionally, battery storage can provide limited backup power.
Understand Tax Implications
Installing a solar system is not only an environmentally conscious choice but can also have significant financial benefits. Understanding the tax implications of going solar is important for maximizing those benefits. The most significant tax incentive for solar installation is the federal investment tax credit (ITC), which allows homeowners to claim a credit of up to 30% of the cost of their solar system.
However, other tax implications exist, such as property taxes and state-specific tax incentives. It is important to consult with a tax professional to ensure that you take advantage of all the available tax benefits and to understand any potential tax consequences of going solar. By understanding the tax implications, homeowners can make informed decisions about whether solar is the right choice for them and can maximize their financial benefits.
Conclusion
Overall, the DroneQuote Consumer Guide is an essential tool for homeowners who are considering installing a solar energy system in their homes. By following the tips and guidelines provided in this guide, homeowners can make informed decisions and ensure they get the best possible value for their investment in solar energy.
What Can We Do
At DroneQuote, choosing a solar or roofing provider can be daunting. There are so many factors to consider, from the quality of the materials used to the level of experience of the contractors. We are committed to providing you with the best service and resources possible.
We encourage you to check out our DroneQuote consumer guide before making any decisions. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you navigate the solar and roofing industry and make informed choices regarding your home’s energy needs.
But we don’t just stop there. Our team of experts is always available to answer any questions and guide you through the entire process, from the initial consultation to the installation and beyond. We are committed to providing hassle-free service and ensuring you are satisfied with the result.
So why not choose DroneQuote for your solar and roofing needs? Our top-quality products, experienced contractors, and exceptional customer service make us the best choice for homeowners looking to save money on energy costs and improve their home’s value.
Sign up today to learn more about our services and DroneQuote consumer guide. Let us show you how we can help you achieve your energy goals and improve your home.