By Brad Smith

There are quite a few checks and balances in the process to make sure you get quality work from your solar installer. While it pays to be diligent in your consideration and selection of a solar installer, the system specifications and workmanship will be subject to inspection and review by a number of additional parties.

Submit a Solar Rebate Application

The first step in most cases is submitting a rebate application. This is usually done through your utility company, but that process will often identify any gross errors in the system configuration such as an undersized inverter or unapproved equipment.

Building Permits and Inspections for Solar Installations

After securing a rebate reservation, the next step is getting a building permit. While the exact requirements are determined by the city or county building or planning department that serves your neighborhood, your installer will almost always be required to submit detailed plans and equipment specifications before receiving approval to start work. While you can’t rely entirely upon this inspection, it is their job to make sure that the planned installation meets or exceeds all code requirements and general standards of quality construction.

Once the installation is completed, the project will be inspected at least two more times before it ever gets switched on. The first inspection will be by the local building inspector. If at all possible (skip work if you have to), make sure you are present for the inspection and make sure the inspector does a good job on your behalf. If there is any part of the installation they don’t take a close look at, ask them to! The building inspector is a qualified inspector that should only sign off on your solar installation if they are confident that the work was completed satisfactorily. If they find anything that’s not up to snuff, they have the power to tell the contractor to correct it.

There will also be a second inspection by your utility company before they allow the system to be connected to the electric grid. This inspection is usually pretty limited and focuses only on the electrical performance, but it still represents an additional safeguard.

When your installer completes the project, they will contact the local building department to arrange for an inspection. Your local building inspector will come to your home and inspect your solar system prior to “signing off” on the permit. Never pay your installer in full before receiving sign off and if you are asked to do so, point out that it is illegal — a violation of contractor’s licensing laws!

What can go wrong?

With all the inspections that take place, the range of things that can go wrong is pretty limited. The most important point is that the roof attachment points are installed correctly. As long as good construction practices are followed, your solar system should be safe, secure and leak free for years and years to come. If you attend the inspection, make sure the inspector pays close attention to the roof attachments and everything should be fine. If your solar system is roof-mounted and the inspector doesn’t go up on the roof, you’re not getting your money’s worth from them.

Make sure the job is finished before your solar installer leaves…

Oftentimes it is necessary to cut some holes to run the electrical conduit and mount the inverters and switches. It is the installer’s responsibility to put everything back the way it was before they started. Make sure they patch and paint any holes in your drywall and caulk around any conduit penetrations and make sure they clean up after themselves! Before the installer calls the job complete, all the little details like patching, caulking and sweeping should be done. It’s easy to have sympathy for workers that have been hard at work on your home all day but don’t let them slide, they probably won’t be back and you’ll be the one sweeping up after them!

How about the money?

In California, contractors are not permitted to ask for a deposit greater than $1,000. You shouldn’t be asked to provide any additional payment before work commences and never, never, never deliver the final payment before you have signoff from the local building inspector and the utility interconnection process has been completed. Also, make sure they have submitted all of the rebate paperwork if that was part of your agreement.

How about the schedule?

One of the biggest challenges for an installer is scheduling. Often, there may be long lead times to receive the equipment for your solar system and sometimes those delays are beyond the installer’s control. Also, approvals from building and planning departments and scheduling of inspections is entirely up to your local building department. The lesson is that you should try to be patient with the installer, but you are also entitled to good information about the schedule. Make sure they keep you informed and put your foot down if there seem to be unreasonable delays that are within their control.

The most important thing you can ask of your installer is that they minimize the time on site. It shouldn’t take more than a few days (at most) to install your system and you don’t want the construction spread out over an extended time. Other than inspections, they should start and finish the job without a break (I mean days, not coffee breaks).

What else should I look for?

If you follow the tips listed here, you will probably find yourself very satisfied with your solar installer and your solar system.

Bradford Smith is a former solar installer and founding member of the Renewzle team.

By Brad Smith

As a rule, most people do not consider choosing a contractor, solar or otherwise, to be one of the more pleasant tasks they face. However, it is not as bad as it might seem and, with a little bit of good advice upfront, it can be much less daunting than you might think.

If you follow these tips, you will probably get a quality solar installation that will do what it’s supposed to do for many years to come.

What’s the difference between a solar system retailer and a solar installer?

Nothing! When it comes to a solar system for your home, there are few companies that only sell solar systems and even fewer that just do solar installations. In almost all cases, the company that sells your solar system will also do the installation. Since 70-80% of the total price is for the equipment itself, it is just as important that you choose a company with competitive prices as it is that you choose a company that does high quality installation work.

What do I look for in a solar installer?

Experience in both years and number of projects is often the best indicator. While it is not a bad idea to ask for customer references, the installer is obviously going to give you names of their satisfied customers. Other than finding out that they have some satisfied customers, you won’t learn much.

Get the contractor’s license number and look it up with the State’s contractor license board. If you can’t verify the contractor’s license information…run! The lack of a valid contractor’s license (classification C-10, C-46 or B) is a sure sign that you are in for trouble. The license check will also allow you to verify that they are properly bonded and insured. If they have any severe complaints, you may see them there. However, keep in mind that most minor complaints will not be disclosed due to some complicated disclosure laws.

Installing a solar system is relatively simple as construction projects go and the vast majority of licensed, experienced installers can and will do a good job for you.

Found a solar installer you’re happy with? Read about How to Manage Your Solar Installer During Your Solar Panel Installation.

Bradford Smith is a former solar installer and founding member of the Renewzle team.