Lynch broke his answer into 10 questions that homeowners should ask themselves before signing a deal and also threw in some expert advice for answering\u00a0<\/em>those questions that he’s picked up over his 15+ years with major solar players like REC, LG, and ADT.<\/p>\n Whether you’re comparing quotes on the solar.com marketplace<\/a> or seeking them out on your own, ask yourself the following questions before you sign a solar agreement.<\/p>\n Rooftop solar is a major investment in lowering your electricity costs and carbon footprint, so it\u2019s crucial to work with a reputable company that has a proven track record of excellent workmanship and customer service. Research the installer whether or not they are performing the sale. <\/em><\/p>\n As a baseline, they should have:<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n For a truly unbiased opinion, call the local inspector\u2019s office and ask if they believe the contractor performs quality work.<\/p>\n Not every solar panel, inverter, and battery is created equal. For example, certain panels and inverters are better suited for roofs with occasional shading than others. And if you’re relying on your solar system to reduce your electricity costs, it’s important to invest in the right technology.<\/p>\n Ask yourself the following question: Did the salesperson simply propose what they stock or did they select the right technology package for your specific application? Better yet, ask the salesperson why they chose the equipment they did.<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n Research the equipment companies, their ratings, and whether they have US-based customer service \u2013 it might make all the difference in the world in a few years if something goes wrong.<\/p>\n Related reading:\u00a0<\/strong>Best Solar Panels and Inverters Brands of 2024<\/a><\/p>\n Successful solar projects begin with setting goals. Some homeowners want to zero out their utility bill, others want to reduce their environmental impact, and a growing number are motivated by backup power and energy independence. Honing in on one or two primary goals can help you and your advisor craft a custom solution to meet them.<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s okay to have several motivations for going solar, but narrow it down to one or two primary goals to guide your system design.<\/p>\n Once you have goals in place, make sure the proposals you receive actually meet them. Every homeowner and every project is unique. Did the salesperson develop a custom proposal based on your feedback, utility usage, and goals for going solar? Or did they simply propose what the roof could fit?<\/p>\n Ask the salesperson or advisor how the equipment, design, and financing options were selected to help meet your goals.<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dealing with an unbiased advisor or advocate versus a commissioned salesperson can make all the difference in the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019ve all seen the ads promising \u201cfree\u201d solar<\/a>. Simply put, there\u2019s no such thing — and these misleading ads set unrealistic expectations for homeowners looking to lower their essential energy costs. Companies that rely on click-bait like “free solar” likely have no issues lying to you later in the process.<\/p>\n Going solar is <\/em>a great way to lower and flatten your essential electricity costs over time. But if the numbers sound too good to be true, they almost certainly are.<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n The best way to identify and avoid solar scams is to get multiple quotes from reputable installers. This will give you a sense of fair pricing in your market and expose outliers that are too good to be true.<\/p>\n Sounds crazy, but there\u2019s a dark side of solar. Reports have been issued by Universities that expose forced labor practices in the upstream supply chain of some solar companies and there have been many investigations into illegal trade practices.<\/p>\n While the US is combatting forced labor in the solar supply chain with tariffs<\/a> and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2021, there are still panel manufacturers trying to circumvent these safeguards.<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n The best way to avoid enabling unethical practices is to work with reputable companies that don\u2019t have Chinese ownership ties.<\/p>\n Again, there\u2019s no right or wrong answer here as everyone has different financial circumstances and goals. But there are pros and cons to all of the buying panels<\/a> (with a loan or cash) and leasing them<\/a>.<\/p>\n In general:<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n Discuss and simulate several finance options with an unbiased advisor to craft a payment plan that best meets your goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Investing in energy storage \u2013 aka solar batteries<\/a> \u2013 along with your solar array is a great way to \u201cfuture proof\u201d your solar investment. Battery storage provides energy security and allows you to use your electricity when it’s best for you. But, it comes with a substantial cost, and understanding whether an energy storage system is right for you is worth exploring.<\/p>\n Brian Lynch’s advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n Consider the long-term economics. Battery storage costs substantially less<\/a> when it is installed at the same time as solar panels than if it’s added to a solar system retroactively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"10](\"https:\/\/assets.solar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/10-questions-about-going-solar.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n1. Do I know who I\u2019m dealing with and can I trust them?<\/h2>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/solarassets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/installer-eval-blog.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n2. Is the technology selected right for my project?<\/h2>\n
3. What are my goals for going solar?<\/h2>\n
4. Does the proposal meet my goals of going solar?<\/h2>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0 Am I thinking about solar the wrong way?<\/h2>\n
![\"free](\"https:\/\/assets.solar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/free-solar-panels-home-depot-300x300.png\")
<\/h2>\n6. Am I economically enabling illegal activities?<\/h2>\n
7. Cash, loan, or lease?<\/h2>\n
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8. To store or not to store?<\/h2>\n