How to Choose a Solar Energy System Supplier
A solar energy system is a large investment that requires careful consideration. You should always compare quotes from several solar companies to ensure that you get the best price. Also, check your local laws and regulations regarding solar installations.
To make a decision on solar panel supplier, you should consider quality of services, products, risk managements, and suppliers’ characteristics factors. To do this, we use a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach including FAHP and DEA.
Cost
There are many factors that affect the cost of solar systems. Some are hardware costs, such as the panels themselves; others are soft costs, such as customer acquisition, financing, and installation. Soft costs can vary solar energy system supplier wildly from company to company, but they all contribute to the overall system price. Fortunately, a variety of solar energy systems are available, including both residential and commercial options.
A home solar system needs more than just a group of solar panels on the roof; it also requires an inverter, racking equipment, wiring and other components. These balance-of-system (BoS) elements can add up to more than half the total cost of a system, according to RMI. Moreover, they can be influenced by many other variables. These include installer experience, local regulations, racking brands, panel brand and even warranty terms.
Solar panel prices are also affected by state regulations and rebates, which can reduce their upfront costs. In addition, homeowners can benefit from the 30% federal tax credit, which further reduces the overall installation costs.
In addition to hardware costs, solar installation includes labor and permit fees. However, it’s important to note that the labor portion of a residential installation represents only about 7% of the overall system price. This is because professional installers have streamlined the process and can often install a full solar energy system in just a day or two with a small crew.
Quality
Solar energy systems convert sunlight into electricity to power homes and businesses, provide light or harness heat from the sun to warm houses in winter. To score a solar company, CNET takes into account the quality of the equipment, warranty protections and other factors that distinguish them from competitors. Companies that offer a price match, transparent pricing and a well-rated app to monitor solar production get extra points. They also earn or lose points based on major customer service problems (lawsuits, investigations) or obvious reputations for shoddy service.
Reputation
Solar power is used for a wide range of applications from powering homes and businesses to heating our water, fueling vehicles and even powering remote off-grid regions or satellites. It also reduces CO2 emissions and lowers electricity prices. Solar energy systems are cost effective and can even pay for themselves over time. However, the price of electricity is continuing to rise, so it’s important to understand your options and local incentives before making a decision.
When evaluating a solar company, the most important factors are customer service and warranty coverage. It is important to avoid companies that use high-pressure sales tactics, unwelcome phone calls or door-to-door salespeople. You should also check online reviews and complaints from other customers.
The best solar companies are those that offer competitive prices, quality equipment and a transparent sales process. They also offer a price-match policy and good warranties. They may also have a well-rated app for monitoring solar production and excellent financing options.
Sunlux, for example, uses reputable brands like Panasonic and Qcells for solar panels; Tesla Powerwall, Enphase AC Battery and LG Chem RESU for batteries; and SolarEdge inverters. It also offers a 25-year warranty with Platinum Protection and can take care of roof repairs prior to installation. Its finance options include loans, a purchase or prepay lease and a power purchase agreement.
Warranty
The warranty is an important aspect of any solar power system, as it ensures your investment in this environmentally friendly technology will pay off. Many manufacturers offer a 25-year product warranty and 25 to 30 year power guarantee on their panels. Additionally, solar inverters and batteries generally come with a warranty of 10 to 25 years. The racking systems also usually come with a warranty for the same duration.
Although solar panels are made from the highest quality materials and are designed for decades of efficient use, they can still suffer from unforeseen issues. As such, a warranty provides peace of mind and can be a great way to close sales and maintain ongoing relationships with customers.
Solar panel production guarantees can also help reduce a solar company’s risk in a competitive industry. The best ones will protect the company against any loss of performance due to external factors, such as climate change or damage outdoor pathway solar lights from natural disasters. These guarantees are especially helpful for large commercial projects, as they can provide a significant boost in sales and profits.
To get the most out of your solar energy system, be sure to follow the recommendations in the manufacturer’s warranty documentation. For example, be careful not to use non-certified industry professionals for repairs or maintenance, as this could void your product warranty. In addition, keep your equipment exposed to the sun to maximize its output and minimize degradation over time.