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Choosing a Solar Contractor

There are many solar companies that do business in Oregon—and not all are created equal. Here’s why you can feel confident in your purchase if you work with an Energy Trust solar trade ally:  

  •  Credentialed installers: All Energy Trust solar trade allies must maintain an active license with the Construction Contractors Board (CCB). They are bonded and insured to install solar in your area and are listed on the Oregon Business Registry. Some contractors also choose to have their employees certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, more commonly known as NABCEP. 
  •  Installation best practices: All Energy Trust solar trade allies comply with Energy Trust solar + storage design and installation standards, going beyond health and safety code to focus on the performance and longevity of your system.
  •  Familiarity with incentives: Only systems installed by Energy Trust trade allies qualify for Energy Trust cash incentives. Your solar trade ally will also be up to date on any federal, state and local government incentives that may be available and can put together the best possible incentive package for you.
  •  Program oversight: Energy Trust builds quality control into the solar installation process when you work with our trade allies. This includes design or installation reviews and customer service support. Even among Energy Trust solar trade allies, different companies have different approaches to designing the best solutions for their customers. That’s why we recommend that you get two to three bids to understand your options. Energy Trust doesn’t endorse one trade ally over another, but we encourage you to be as informed as possible before deciding on the best path forward.

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Questions to ask a potential solar contractor

How much experience does your company have with solar installations?

A company or installer that has been in business a long time has demonstrated the ability to work with customers and compete effectively with other vendors.

Will your company perform the installation?

Some solar companies use subcontractors to install some or all of a project. It is important to understand the subcontractor’s level of experience with solar installations.

Is your company NABCEP certified?

In addition to being licensed to work in the state of Oregon, some contractors have taken the additional step of having their employees certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, NABCEP. This voluntary, national certification requires contractors to pass a rigorous set of tests.

What products does your company offer?

If you are looking for a particular style or brand of component, check to see that your contractor is able to meet your request. Some contractors may offer only one brand of inverter, solar panels or battery storage system, or may not have the training to install the product you want.

Does your company provide financing?

Some contractors can help arrange financing for customers. 

What kind of warranty do you offer?

Energy Trust requires trade allies to provide at least a two-year system warranty that covers all labor for any repairs resulting from defects in equipment or contractor workmanship. An installer may offer longer warranties. Make sure your contractor agreement is explicit about what service to expect should something go wrong.

How long will the project take?

Once you make the decision to move forward, your trade ally contractor will secure your incentives and apply for building permits. This part of the project can take several weeks. A typical residential installation can be completed in just a few days. Installations on commercial buildings can take longer, depending on the size of the project. Ask your contractor for a schedule and estimated installation date.

Perform a background check

All contractors in Oregon are required to have a Construction Contractors Board (CCB), license. Before you hire a contractor, ask for their CCB license number and review their history at www.oregon.gov/CCB. You can also request a reference list of past customers who installed similar installations to the one you are considering. Ask previous customers if they would hire the contractor again, what they would have done differently, and what are the contractor’s limitations and strengths.

How do I choose among competing bids?

Ensure that all bids you receive include the same criteria. Typically, each bid will clearly state the size of the system in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) and include an estimate of the electricity the system will produce on an annual basis in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

TIP: To make it easier to compare bids, ask that any proposal you receive includes the system size in watts. Divide the total cost by the system size so you can see the cost in dollars per watt. Then, compare each proposal based on cost per watt.

Bids should include all costs associated with the project, including equipment, hardware, labor, incentive or utility paperwork, permitting and warranty.

When comparing two or more bids for systems of similar size, be sure that the contractors are using similar assumptions about the incentives and tax benefits for your project. If you see inconsistencies between the bids, ask for an explanation. We also recommend that you consult with your tax professional to understand how tax incentives may apply to you.

Project costs vary for many reasons, including differences in quality and price of proposed equipment, length of warranty, necessary structural or electrical upgrades, monitoring equipment or even the length of the wires that run from the solar panels.

Trust is also an important factor in selecting a contractor. You want to have confidence that the company will stand behind its installation for at least two years, and hopefully twenty.

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Questions?  

We’re here to make solar easy. Contact us at 1.877.777.4018 or solar@energytrust.org.