Solar Panels For Your Home How to Select a Solar Vendor And Home Builder
Today, home builders can offer solar panels for your home as an
optional or standard feature. When offered as an option, the builder,
along with their solar contracting partner, will incorporate a solar
electric system at the home buyer’s request. Therefore, it’s important
for buyers to ask for, and learn about, this feature.
Although more communities today offer solar as an upgrade, home builders are increasingly making solar panels for your home a standard feature. They’ve seen the increased response from buyers when they focus on solar’s economic benefits. By playing up these cost savings, some home builders offering solar as a standard feature have generated more home sales. And, in this lackluster sales environment, home builders find any boost in sales a definite accomplishment.
The Solar Partnership
Arizona home builders are well aware that partnering with a reliable, experienced solar installer is the single most important strategy for solar success. Chances are good the home builder has conducted a thorough evaluation of solar contractors and has selected a very well qualified provider to install solar panels for your home. A strong partnership will benefit all parties, most of all you — the home buyer!
However, you’ll still want to do your own homework on both the builder and the solar contractor. Just as you would do when installing solar panels for your home, you’ll want to do proper due-diligence on your new home’s installation. The following qualifications should be evaluated by every home buyer:
Experience. With more homeowners switching to solar energy each day, the number of companies offering solar installation services is also on the rise. So, be sure your builder has selected an experienced solar contractor to install solar panels for your home. Evaluate things like years in business, how many systems they’ve installed, technical certifications, affiliations, training and more. Additionally, confirm that the contractor that sells the system will also install the system. Some solar companies sub-contract the work to other non-licensed installers.
Licensing. The licensing a solar contractor holds is another way to evaluate experience levels. At a minimum, the company must have the required state and local licenses to install solar panels for your home. You can check these qualifications at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Better Business Bureau Accreditation. If a business has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau, it means the BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
Accountability. Make sure you know who will be responsible for the solar panels for your home after the sale. Who will you work with if you have a warranty issue – the builder or the solar contractor? Who do you contact with questions? Knowing up-front which party handles what with regards to your solar system will provide more peace-of-mind when you close your deal.
References. Again, the home builder has most likely thoroughly vetted the solar contractor on board. However, it doesn’t hurt for you to do your own reference checking. At a minimum, visit the contractor’s web site and look at their testimonials and feedback from objective third-parties. You want to ensure the contractor is well equipped to install solar panels for your home.
With more and more home builders turning to solar as an optional or standard feature, solar panels for your home have become more viable and valuable. In fact, many in the home building industry expect a solar home will become the new normal in the not so distant future.
Given the speed of adoption and the numerous benefits generated from solar panels for your home, what does this really mean for you? It means now is the best time to buy a new solar home! Visit a solar community now and ask for your solar options.
Rena Giannoulakis is Marketing Manager at American Solar, one of Arizona’s leading solar companies who designs and installs solar electric systems and solar hot water systems.
Although more communities today offer solar as an upgrade, home builders are increasingly making solar panels for your home a standard feature. They’ve seen the increased response from buyers when they focus on solar’s economic benefits. By playing up these cost savings, some home builders offering solar as a standard feature have generated more home sales. And, in this lackluster sales environment, home builders find any boost in sales a definite accomplishment.
The Solar Partnership
Arizona home builders are well aware that partnering with a reliable, experienced solar installer is the single most important strategy for solar success. Chances are good the home builder has conducted a thorough evaluation of solar contractors and has selected a very well qualified provider to install solar panels for your home. A strong partnership will benefit all parties, most of all you — the home buyer!
However, you’ll still want to do your own homework on both the builder and the solar contractor. Just as you would do when installing solar panels for your home, you’ll want to do proper due-diligence on your new home’s installation. The following qualifications should be evaluated by every home buyer:
Experience. With more homeowners switching to solar energy each day, the number of companies offering solar installation services is also on the rise. So, be sure your builder has selected an experienced solar contractor to install solar panels for your home. Evaluate things like years in business, how many systems they’ve installed, technical certifications, affiliations, training and more. Additionally, confirm that the contractor that sells the system will also install the system. Some solar companies sub-contract the work to other non-licensed installers.
Licensing. The licensing a solar contractor holds is another way to evaluate experience levels. At a minimum, the company must have the required state and local licenses to install solar panels for your home. You can check these qualifications at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Better Business Bureau Accreditation. If a business has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau, it means the BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.
Accountability. Make sure you know who will be responsible for the solar panels for your home after the sale. Who will you work with if you have a warranty issue – the builder or the solar contractor? Who do you contact with questions? Knowing up-front which party handles what with regards to your solar system will provide more peace-of-mind when you close your deal.
References. Again, the home builder has most likely thoroughly vetted the solar contractor on board. However, it doesn’t hurt for you to do your own reference checking. At a minimum, visit the contractor’s web site and look at their testimonials and feedback from objective third-parties. You want to ensure the contractor is well equipped to install solar panels for your home.
With more and more home builders turning to solar as an optional or standard feature, solar panels for your home have become more viable and valuable. In fact, many in the home building industry expect a solar home will become the new normal in the not so distant future.
Given the speed of adoption and the numerous benefits generated from solar panels for your home, what does this really mean for you? It means now is the best time to buy a new solar home! Visit a solar community now and ask for your solar options.
Rena Giannoulakis is Marketing Manager at American Solar, one of Arizona’s leading solar companies who designs and installs solar electric systems and solar hot water systems.
