Solar Contractor: New Clean Energy Supplier
Today, more than ever before in our history, people are looking for clean, renewable and inexpensive sources of energy: to protect both the environment and their wallet. From electric cars to wind turbines to solar panels, green energy is a desirable alternative for many individuals. A solar contractor is someone who can assist in harnessing the resource readily available to each one of us: the Sun.
All around the world,
both homes and businesses alike are turning to alternative forms of energy to meet their need for clean power. One of the most affordable and accessible avenues to take toward "going off the grid" is the installation of solar panels. Whether installing them on a home's roof, a pole mounted panel in the yard or a "cube", a solar contractor is the person who will be able to determine which installation is best suited for a homeowner's individual needs.
There are numerous Internet sites available to answer questions about solar power, installation, and costs. Look for a site that offers a list of customer testimonials, photos of installations and openly displays costs, labor and additional fees required: permits, designs, etc. A solar contractor is required to be both licensed and certified. Because solar energy is a relatively new field, an initial question to ask might be how many years this contractor has been in business.
Determining whether monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline / Multi crystalline, or a thin-film silicon panel is the right fit for a customer's home can only be decided by a solar contractor. An analysis of current utility bills will be needed, as well as an open conversation about power usage, the customer's expectations and savings anticipated before undertaking this conversion project. Does the customer anticipate staying on the grid or is their goal to eventually go off the grid? This will determine the wattage vs. output the panels will be expected to perform.
The solar contractor will need to examine the house and surrounding property to evaluate the best location for the panels: on the roof or in the yard? A roof may require reinforcement to carry the load of the panels, while a pole mounted grid requires 200 square feet of open, shade free area for proper and efficient operation. But the most important factor is that the panels must be south facing for optimal function, regardless of their location.
A solar contractor will request a proposed budget from the homeowner and will offer information on tax credits, energy credits, grants, rebates, incentives, legislation and buy backs, which may assist in covering the cost of installation and maintenance of the system. How long the customer plans to reside in the home is another serious factor in determining the overall investment pros and cons of this energy conversion: will the family live in the home long enough to recoup the initial investment?
There is more to going solar than simply installing a few panels on the roof. The cost of the panels, an inverter, batteries, monitors, junction boxes, wiring, grounding, over current protection devices, outlets, switches, and maintenance, not to mention the labor involved, all need to be factored into the decision. Is going solar the right investment for this home and family?
