Posted Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The Top Mistakes to Avoid When Going Solar

Imagine for a moment that you are shopping for a quality vehicle to replace the one you’ve been driving for years. Your old car is miled out, and it’s clearly on it’s last leg. You know the time has come to invest in a replacement, but you don’t want to find yourself stuck in a car that has numerous mechanical issues that will be costly to repair. What’s more, you want to be sure that you’re getting the best deal on the car that you do end up settling on.

The mistakes you could make during this purchase are remarkably similar to the mistakes you could make during a purchase on a new solar power system for your home or business:

Mistake #1: Not knowing who you’re dealing with.

If you just flip open a periodical publication and scan the advertisements section for a solar power company (or a car dealership for that matter), you’re going to have dozens to choose from, and you won’t know what separates one from the other until you start doing some research. Remember to ask for client referrals or examples of successfully completed projects that are similar to yours, so you can have confidence that you will be dealing with a reputable provider.

Mistake #2: Not asking the right questions.

As in the case of the car, if you don’t know what questions to ask before buying a solar power system, you may find yourself confused about what you’re actually purchasing. Think about what will be going into the installation of a solar power system, and why that’s important to you. Ask specific questions about the materials that will be used and the timeline for the overall project. A good solar installer will have ready answers to all your questions.

Mistake #3: Trying to pay the least amount possible.

If you’re only focused on purchasing the cheapest solution available, you’re going to end up with the lowest-quality solution available. That’s just basic business economics – cheaper solar systems use lower quality panels, inverters and wiring, resulting in less reliability in the long term. And, because solar power systems are generally designed to last for decades, you don’t want to have to worry about a failure even though you may have paid the least. Remember that purchasing a solar power system is an investment, and you’re only going to get out of it what you put into it.

If you stay mindful of these potential mistakes before you begin shopping for a solar power system, you’re more likely to end up with a successful solution that meets your needs for years to come. Urban Solar is ready to start the conversation with you, so contact us today and learn more about our Energy Assessment – a free service that tells you exactly how much you could save by going solar. Head over to the contact page and get started today!