Finding providers in your neighborhood
There are several ways to locate providers in your neighborhood. Both www.cslb.ca.gov and www.CaliforniaDGStats.ca.gov have databases of licensed contractors that you can search according to city and zip code, respectively. You can also get an estimate of the installation costs on www.California DGStats.ca.gov.
If available, you can refer to your county’s Contractors Association to find licensed Solar Providers.
If you know of any friends or neighbors that have solar installed (especially in the last year or two), you can always ask them for recommendations.
Now that I have a number of providers, how can I narrow down my list?
First and foremost, confirm that all of the providers you have selected are licensed. Again, all solar providers must be licensed, with very few exceptions. You confirm at www.cslb.ca.gov /consumers or call 800-321-CSLB (2752). Their licenses must be classified as either C-46 (Solar Contractor), C-10 (Electrical Contractor), or B (General Building Contractor).
You can find out how old the company is and if they have installed a lot of systems before.
Refer to customer reviews online. Check at least three reliable websites to make sure that the feedback you are reading is unbiased and consistent.
Companies that have been certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners are also known to be particularly dependable.
I’ve narrowed down my list of Solar Providers. Now what?
After you have determined which companies are best for you, you can ask for a bid or price quote. Note that price should not be the deciding factor, however. Be especially wary of unusually low bids, which Solar companies may use to lure customers into scams.
Questions to ask a Solar Provider Before you Sign a Contract
Be sure to ask your solar provider a lot of questions, especially before you sign any contracts. The most qualified companies will be happy to answer all of your questions. Below are some sample questions you can ask:
Company Background
What is your company’s contractor license number from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)? What is your Installer’s contractor license number?
Will you subcontract with another company to install the solar system? If so, what is their CSLB contractor license number?
How long have you been in business and how many systems have you installed?
Can you provide me with three customer references to call or visit? These customers should have solar installed for at least a year.
Design and Roof
Is my roof a good candidate for solar? Why?
Why did you choose this specific design and size for the solar system you recommending to me?
Note that a system sized to cover all of your electricity needs isn’t necessarily the best investment. Typically, a system is sized to around 80-85 percent of your electricity use from the previous year.
Roughly how much will it cost to remove and re-install the panels if I need to replace my roof in the future, including inspection fees?
Warranties & Performance of Solar System
Are there warranties for the panels and inverters? If yes, how long do they last and who do I contact to replace these components? If equipment such as the inverter fails after the warranty period, how much will it cost to replace?
Are there warranties for labor/construction?
Are repairs and maintenance included in the contract? If yes, who should I contact for repairs?
Will I be able to monitor the performance of the system once it’s installed? If so, how?
Does the solar provider offer a minimum energy guarantee (common with leases and power purchase agreements)? If yes, how will I be paid if the system does not produce as much energy as promised in the contract?
Is there an insurance policy that comes with the solar system, or do I need to take out additional homeowner’s insurance? Note that this is especially important if you live in fire-prone areas.
What are my obligations in the contract if my solar system stops working due to a disaster like an earthquake or a fire?
Who has the right to claim the environmental benefits of the power generated by my system?
Electricity Bill Savings Estimates
Explain to me why an electricity bill savings estimate is not a guarantee.
Even though I will continue to pay electricity bills after going solar, I can receive solar bill credits on my electricity bill. How does that work?
What electricity rate do you recommend I switch to for solar, and why? Does my electricity provider offer special rates for solar customers?
Impacts on Future Sale of Your Home
Will a solar system make it more difficult for me to sell my home or refinance?
For leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and PACE financed systems:
What happens if the home buyer doesn’t want the solar system or doesn’t qualify to take on my lease, PPA, or PACE financed system?
Are there fees if I need to terminate the contract early to sell my house?
Are there fees for transferring the lease, PPA, or PACE financing to a new homeowner?
Timeline
When do you propose to start and finish installing solar on my roof?
After installation is complete, roughly how long will it take for my electricity provider to send me written approval to turn my system on?
What situations would allow me to be released from a contract?
Source: www.cpuc.ca.gov/solarguide