Are you thinking about adding solar panels to your home in Southern California? Solar panels are the best way to reduce (or eliminate) your electric bill and a great way to add value to your home. But you need to find a solar panel installer that you can trust. In today’s post, we’ll share the 7 most important questions you must ask before buying solar panels.

Let’s get started!

“How much experience do you have?”

Your home is likely to be the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your life. Do you really want to trust just anyone to work on it? It’s important to find out if the solar panel company you’re considering is experienced or not.

Why?

First, an experienced solar panel installer will be able to work more quickly and efficiently. Often, experienced companies are able to get better prices on panels and other components and can then pass that savings along to you. Finally and most importantly, will a new solar panel company be around in 5 or 10 years to honor their warranty?

At Inter Faith Electric & Solar Installation, we have more than 25 years of experience installing solar panels on homes and commercial properties throughout Southern California. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners eliminate their electric bills and take back the power from the utility company. We’re in it for the long haul.

“Am I buying or leasing solar panels?”

Let me say it straight out: leasing solar panels is one of the worst mistakes you can make as a homeowner.

Some solar panel installers want you to lease panels (because it makes them a lot more money) and they’ll do anything they can to convince you it’s a good idea.

At Inter Faith Electric & Solar Installation we sell you solar panel systems that you own. Why is this so important?

When you buy solar panels, you:

  • Lock in a low, flat monthly payment that doesn’t change. The terms of many leases change over time and can end up costing you a bundle.
  • Add value to your home. When you lease panels, a lien is placed against your home (like when you take out a mortgage) that can make it tougher to sell your home down the road.
  • Benefit from state and federal tax credits and benefits. That’s right: you only get the tax breaks if you own your solar panels. When you lease solar panels all the tax benefits go to the owner of the panels, not you.
  • Many people, even homeowners in Southern California, believe that they don’t have the money or good enough credit to buy solar panels for their home. This simply isn’t true.

We help homeowners finance their solar panel systems for $0 out of pocket and financing that starts at 2.49%. Bad credit is no problem!

“What warranty do you offer on your solar panels?”

You should never make any major purchase without knowing all the details and getting them in writing. Some solar panel installers will say that they’ll be there for you down the road, but will they? Unless you get your warranty in writing, there’s no way to know for sure.

At Inter Faith Electric & Solar Installation, we stand behind our solar panels with a 10-year labor warranty. Plus all of our panels include a fully transferable 25-year manufacturer’s warranty.

“Are there other ways you can help my home become more energy efficient?”

You can become energy independent with solar panels, but why stop there? When you’re looking for a solar panel installer in Southern California look for a company that knows how to make your entire home more energy efficient.

In addition to being the most trusted solar panel installer in Southern California, we’re an experienced, licensed electrical contractor, too! That means we can install outlets, run wires, and do a whole lot more, too.

We even specialize in whole home fans. These fans are installed in your attic and help flush hot stale air from your home, replacing it with cool fresh air. This lowers your cooling costs and reduces the stress on your air conditioner (meaning it’ll last longer). In addition, we can install a battery-backup system that’s designed to store electricity during power outages.

With a high-capacity battery-backup system, you can go 100% off the electrical grid. You’ll never see a monthly electric bill again.

“Where are your solar panels made?”

Solar panels are made all over the world, but all solar panels aren’t created equal.

Some are more efficient and last longer than others. Panels made overseas may be made from lower-quality materials and components. They might not last as long or be very efficient at converting sunlight to electricity you can use.

We only use solar panels that are made here in North America using the highest-quality components. Our panels are more efficient and last longer than other panels on the market and are backed by one of the longest warranties in the industry: 25 years on the panels and 10 years on our labor.

“Are your solar panel systems environmentally friendly?”

Environmentally Friendly

Believe it or not, some solar panel systems aren’t as eco-conscious and sustainable as you might think. Panels made overseas often use more toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process than those made here in North America. Additionally, shipping panels across the ocean produces a tremendous amount of greenhouse gasses.

You should also ask about how a company disposes of old solar panels. Because of the materials they contain, solar panels can’t just be left out at the curb. They need to be disposed of properly and recycled whenever possible.

“How long will it take to get my solar panel system up and running?”

Inter Faith Electric & Solar can get your system up and running in as little as 30 days. We can actually install your panels in less than 2 weeks. But after that, the city has to approve the system and then we have to wait for approval from the utility company to actually hook your solar panel system into the power grid.

Don’t trust any solar panel company who says they can get you up and running any faster. Because of the laws and regulations in Southern California it just isn’t possible.

Are you ready to take back the power?

If you’re thinking about installing a solar panel system on your home or commercial property, get in touch with us today. You can call us at (661) 245-3224 or contact us online. We’ll come out to your home or business and provide a free, no-obligation quote.

Already have another quote from a legit solar panel company? We’ll beat it by $1,000 or more! Don’t wait any longer– stop paying the utility company and BECOME the utility company.

Photo Credits: Suzie Tremmel, palmdale