How to Find the Right Solar Contractor

​Choosing a solar contractor can be the most challenging part of your solar buying process. There are plenty of solar contractors with well-trained and experienced staff, but any installer that you consider when conducting solar company research should meet a few basic minimums. Use the following tips to learn more about choosing a solar contractor.

Expertise

Your contractor should have expertise in installing solar energy systems. Solar companies should have a certified professional to provide quality assurance for every system that the company installs, and there should be a certified professional on every crew.

Licenses and insurance

Solar contractors should have all necessary business licenses and insurance policies. Typical business licenses for solar contractors include general contracting, electrician, home improvement, or home performance contracting licenses.

Experience

When conducting solar research, make sure your contractor has an established solar track record. A solar provider should be able to discuss and show you systems installed for previous clients.

Reputation

Solar company reviews from past customers are great for evaluating contractors, but they can sometimes be misleading. Customers providing ratings and reviews are unlikely to be a representative sample relevant to you. However, ratings and reviews can provide a check on bad behavior – a pattern of customer complaints is probably an indication that you should work with a different solar contractor. Also, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau and the Arizona Registrar of Contractors to see if any complaints have been lodged against a contractor.

What distinguishes the best solar contractor?

After ensuring the standards above, the question becomes how to choose a solar contractor when you have multiple good options. The best solar contractors have three qualities:

1. Workmanship warranties
Warranties cover the designing and constructing the solar energy system, and should range between 1 and 10 years. You might even consider purchasing a separate warranty for the operation and maintenance of your system, but it is always better to pay for an installation from a qualified contractor with a solid workmanship warranty.

2. Selective use of subcontractors and effective oversight
Some solar contractors may use subcontractors to perform certain tasks during the installation process. The contractor you select should explain why they use subcontractors. The contractor should effectively oversee the work performed by the subcontractors, since they are ultimately responsible.

However, be mindful of any solar company that subcontracts all of its work or presents you with a contract from a company with a different name. It is important to know who exactly will be standing behind your installation!

3. Trusted advisor on system design
Going solar is a significant investment, and you need to have confidence in your contractor. The best contractors will advise and explain how solar fits within the energy system of your home or business. Your solar contractor should be someone that you trust and want to do business with, as well as a professional with the competence and expertise that you expect and deserve.

Here at SunHarvest Solar, we take pride in each and every installation we do. When it comes to solar energy systems, SunHarvest Solar only sources the highest industry-rated products.
We work hard to provide our customers with solar products that are optimized for their individual power needs, roof space and budget. Our A+ rating with the BBB, impressive track record of happy customers, and over 10,000 solar panels installed can speak for themselves, but get in touch today to learn more and receive a free, no-obligation quote!