Get Solar Right.
Get solar right with South Carolina Solar. This post is intended to help you get solar right. We want to educate and prevent you from being mislead or fooled by unethical sales practices. When you switch to solar energy not much changes. That is, you continue to use and pay for electricity. The main difference is where the electricity you use comes from and who you pay for it.
Wether you have thought about this or not you are on the utility companies payment plan. The plan that never ends, continually goes up, is hard to budget for and that you have no control over. You do without telephone service, cable TV and even internet but you can’t do without power.
Solar allows you to take control of your energy needs, it fixes your payment so budgeting is easy & its the only home improvement that will actually pay you a return. Its shown to increase the value of your home and help it sell faster. The best consideration is that you can use the savings from your current utility bill to pay towards ownership of your solar hardware preventing and changes for you in monthly cash outlay.
This once in a lifetime opportunity is only for the lucky ones that can qualify and meet the criteria for being a good fit. Qualifications for incentives, orientation, HOA and spatial considerations are the top criteria to take a serious look at.
Remember, you will pay for power the rest of your life unless you take action and do something about it.
Step 1 – Get Solar Right
It starts with carefully selecting a company that has roots in the community. As a local company, we care about the functionality and aesthetics of our solar energy systems.
Companies from out of our state who are here temporarily don’t have any long term ties to the state. As incentives change, these companies will have a mass exodus from South Carolina leaving a bunch of installed customer with nobody to call.
Step 2 – Get Solar Right
Online reviews are great but don’t always tell the whole story. Make sure to request to speak with past clients and see pictures of recent installs. Ask to go to one of the company’s installations in your area to see it in person.
The proof is in the pudding and this request will weed out some pretenders who try to tell you anything they think you want to hear. Legitimate companies will be more than happy to accommodate these requests.
Step 3 – Get Solar Right
Make sure the proposal is clear, transparent and lists specifics about the equipment (model numbers and manufacturers), pricing before and after incentives, finance terms and rates, compares the existing utility bill to the solar cost including any remaining utility cost.
Make sure you are given a printed copy which includes your 3 day right to cancel (State Law Requirement). Having a printed copy allows you to review the specifics and an opportunity to carfully examine the proposed offer.
Step 4 – Get Solar Right
If it sounds too good to he true then in most cases it is. Solar is not a get rich quick scheme but instead, it’s a mechanism that allows you to produce the same energy you currently pay your utility for.
When you switch to solar you are purchasing hardware that collects FREE energy from the sun. If the cost of solar is equal to, slightly more or slightly less than what your current power costs are then it’s most likely a good deal and goof fit for you.
Step 5 – Get Solar Right
Make sure that your Contractor is using tier 1 solar panels that have a production guarantee of 20+ years or more. Find out the companies warranty guarantees on workmanship, roof and inverter/microinverters.
Find out if the contractor only sells solar or if his company also does the installation. If the installation is performed by another contractor, make sure to do your due diligence on the installing contractor and determine who handles equipment warranty and any needed service.
Step 6 – Get Solar Right
If your representative is adding energy efficiency products to your solar project, find out the reduction values used in the proposal and verify how they justify these estimates. Get any guarantees offered in writing.
Tin foil in your attic, a programmable thermostat and some LED light bulbs will not reduce your electric cost by 30% or anywhere even close to that. Don’t be fooled by snake oil salesmen. If something doesn’t feel right then there is probably a reason why.
Step 7 – Get Solar Right
Solar rebate programs are real and are one of the main reasons switching to solar is a sound economic decision for many. Make sure you can qualify for the incentives.
If you don’t pay Federal or SC state taxes then you shouldn’t consider solar as it will not make good economic sense for you. Don’t let a salesperson trick you into thinking your going to qualify for rebates that you won’t.
Step 8 – Get Solar Right
Be careful not to be fooled by some of the internet sites that that position themselves as a .org (organization for non-profit). These companies try to make you feel that they are trying to help you make an educated decision.
These are actually lead generation companies that sell your information to multiple solar contractors who are willing to pay them the most. You will be called, emailed and harassed like nothing you have ever seen. Contact local providers directly and save yourself some grief.
Step 9 – Get Solar Right
Don’t lease solar! This is typically a terrible deal for the consumer while benefiting the solar company in every way. Solar leases have set rate escalations built in each year which is one of the reasons to switch from your utility. Why would you do the same thing with your solar company?
Selling your home with a solar lease could prove to be difficult and could cost you a lot of money. Solar purchase is the only way to go and solar loan programs allows for a purchase & installation to be completed with $0 upfront costs.
Step 10 – Get Solar Right
Consider the following:
If your roof orientation is S, SW, SE, W or E then the financial side should make sense.
If our pay Federal & state taxes then you will most likely be okay but you still need to look into this in great detail.
What policies does your utility have towards solar?
Do you have a HOA that could possibly prevent your panels from being installed on the most productive roof planes.
For a free solar design and financial analysis, please contact us by email: [email protected] or by phone at 843-510-7500
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