So you’ve made the economically sound decision to go solar, and are looking for the perfect contractor for the job. For a photovoltaic (PV) system to run its best, it must be installed carefully and correctly. You’ll want to be sure that the contractor you choose is experienced enough for the job. Here are some tips to help you find an all-star solar contractor that goes above and beyond for your installation.

At CalFinder Solar, we specialize in screening contractors for licensing and quality standards. While most installer fees should be fairly similar, we recommend getting at least two estimates and comparing them.

To get pricing on solar panels in your area, click here.

And although some states don’t require contractors to be certified, you should look at these accreditations, anyway. Certifications aren’t just a sign that the contractor has undergone specialized training for solar installations, they signal that they’re an active member of a trade organization or solar not-for-profit group.

In the solar industry, where technology is constantly evolving, it’s important to find a contractor who makes a point of keeping up to date with the latest innovations. Industry experts help contractors stay abreast of current trends and technologies.

More significantly, some solar rebate and tax credit incentive programs require installers to be certified with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), a volunteer board of industry representatives.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is another nationally recognized trade organization. SEIA provides detailed quarterly industry reports to its 1,000 member companies. Certification with either NABCEP or SEIA is a good indication that a solar contractor is a seasoned pro.

The solar industry is still relatively young compared with other contractor services, but when you’re looking for an all-star contractor, you’ll want to ensure that your contractor is experienced in installing solar panel systems.

Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. How long have you been in business? How many PV installations have you completed in the last year? Do you carry workers compensation and liability insurance? Do you sub-contract any work? How long will the installation take? Ask for references, and check them.

Industry-specific questions need to be asked as well. Ask the contractor what kind of follow-up service is included in the contract. Many solar providers offer monitoring and maintenance service. An above-average contractor will be knowledgeable about every incentive program offered in your area, and will be able to facilitate the paperwork involved in obtaining those incentives.

A solar contractor should be able to tell you exactly what permits must be obtained, and should then obtain them for you.

An excellent solar contractor will never accept payment without first inspecting your home to ensure it’s a good candidate for solar. The contractor should examine your roof to make sure it can bear the load of a PV system, and to see if the roof has the correct orientation to the sun to make your system effective.

The contractor should also carefully assess your home’s current electrical usage. This often involves examining your electrical bills for the last year.

Taking the time to find an all-star solar contractor is the best way to ensure you’ll enjoy benefits of solar for years to come.

Residential solar power is an increasingly affordable way to slim your energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

The key to a successful installation, of course, is choosing the right solar contractor.

A good installer will provide turnkey service, and help you take a whole-house approach to improving your energy efficiency.

To get pricing information from a solar contractor near you, click here.

Remember that the best contractors facilitate the entire installation process for you, from determining how many solar panels you need, to getting you all the credits and rebates available on the federal, state and local levels.

Professional and Experienced

The solar industry is constantly changing with advances in solar technology, solar financing and solar service. Homeowners should make sure that their contractor is up to date on all the latest technology and financing options. There are several trade associations and solar advocate non-profits that provide industry-related news, information and education to solar contractors.

A professional solar provider may be associated with organizations such as the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a respected national trade association with 1,000 member companies. SEIA partners with The Solar Foundation, a non-profit, in research and education outreach programs. Ensuring that a solar contractor is associated with organizations within the industry is one way to ensure a contractor is professional and experienced. In addition, a professional solar contractor will be happy to supply references from other customers.

Solar Accreditation

While some states do not require certification for residential installations, most rebate and credit incentive programs require that a solar contractor be certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal certification. Homeowners who wish to take advantage of the federal incentives, in particular, should inquire about NABCEP certification.

Clear and Thorough

A professional solar contractor will facilitate the solar installation process from beginning to end. The service may start with an evaluation of a homeowner’s solar power needs, including analysis of current usage and site inspection. The contractor should help you examine your utility bills over the past 12 months, identify sources of inefficiency within your home, and provide an accurate picture of just how much you can save with solar.

Flexible Services

A good solar contractor will be able to work with you to ensure that the system is affordable through a variety of financing options, and by determining which solar system will provide the most economic benefit. In addition, your solar contractor should know what other inspections may be needed by cities and utilities, as well as paperwork required by local permit offices. Solar contractors typically assist you in qualifying for and receiving governmental solar rebates and tax incentives, and may even credit you with any rebates upfront.

Maintenance and Monitoring

As for the technical side of things, many solar providers will monitor service to ensure systems continue to operate at peak performance. A good contractor will advise homeowners upfront as to what maintenance services are included, and some solar contractors will provide any necessary service for the life of the system. This is why it’s important your contractor is qualified to design, install and maintain your system well into the future.

While homeowners may be expected to make a down payment, depending on the type of financing option chosen, as with any work contracted for the home, a good contractor will never demand full payment before the system is completely installed.

For more information or to speak with a solar contractor in your area, click here.

Case in point, an assessment by Gürcan Gülen, Senior Energy Economist at the Bureau for Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, who was asked by the Copenhagen (Denmark) Consensus Center to determine the validity of the claim that green policies—and their eventual enactment—do in fact create jobs.

Initially, we were not sure what the connection was between a Danish think tank and a Texas university. Then we learned that the Consensus Center is the brainchild of Bjorn Lomborg, a Danish citizen known for his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol and his advocacy of social justice issues.

Having shed light on that peculiar association, we can return to Gülen’s assessment, which concludes that the number of jobs generated by green energy policies and actions is likely to be negatively offset by the number of jobs that are destroyed.

Further, Gülen says that industry itself fails to distinguish between the types of green jobs created. Are they high-paying construction jobs, or lower-paying cleanup crew work? Are they temporary (setting up the solar photovoltaic energy system), or permanent (maintaining the system)?

Some of Gülen’s criticisms touch a nerve; others seem merely picayune. For example, if a sustainability engineer quits a cement factory and goes to work setting up a wind turbine, has the green jobs venue added one more, or merely maintained the status quo?

In any case, I love how the green vs. brown issue can be obfuscated by a few well-aimed but completely superficial questions. So I’d like to counter Lomborg’s (and Gülen’s) efforts by pointing out that the Crossroads Solar Energy Project will create more than 450 construction jobs lasting about two years, and almost 5,000 peripheral jobs—everything from the guy driving the lunch wagon to the supplier who insures an adequate supply of unbroken mirrors and the gear wheels on which they track the sun.

Even when the project is finished, at least 45 skilled workers will be needed to keep the solar thermal project on target, producing electricity to serve 100,000 homes. And, of course, the presence of the solar project itself will encourage home buying and building, more stores to supply more goods, more teachers to teach workers’ children, perhaps even more schools.

I’m sure you get the idea. Growth is organic, and the potential growth of the green jobs market is astonishing, in spite of naysayers.

Weigh in with your own opinions in the comments below or join us on Facebook or Twitter.

Photo Credit: Patrick Feller via Flickr CC

Some homeowners believe that rooftop solar can be a DIY project. Solar PV energy systems are expensive, complex, and even dangerous if installed incorrectly – all of which are very good reasons to hire a licensed installer. So, what do you need to know before commiting to such a long-term investment?

How to Check Your Installer’s Credibility

1. Ask for NABCEP Certification

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, or NABCEP, licenses and certifies solar panel installers, but they don’t maintain a list, and they are quite new, meaning certification is far from widespread. The NABCEP is not only the best, but almost the only certification of any value. This means that when you find a company or individual in your area who installs solar, you need to ask about NABCEP certification.

2. Can They Provide Outstanding References?

If not, you might consider a company or professional who has been around a long time and is willing to give you references (for a superb article on this subject, please visit BuildDirect). But certification is almost always preferable, because even the most experienced contractor, roofer or electrician may not understand the ins and outs of solar.

3. Are They Licensed and Bonded?

Also make sure that your contractor is licensed by all applicable jurisdictions (your municipality, city or county; whoever calls the shots) and has both a Contractor’s General and Professional Liability policy, and a performance bond (typically $100,000).

4. Always Get Free Estimates

Check to make sure you can get a free estimate; that the installing firm does a site survey to insure adequate solar insolation; that the sales firm is also the installer; that it knows your area’s building codes; and that it will do the paperwork to get you any and all applicable rebates. For  a list of licensed installers that do offer free estimates, click here.

5. Read the Fine Print

Finally, read the contract and make sure that everything is in black and white: the start date; the likely date of completion barring accidents or contingencies; the down payment and final cost, including all applicable taxes, fees and licenses; and a line item that guarantees components for their “normal” lifetime (again, see BuildDirect for typical warranties).

What Cost Range Can I Expect?

The typical residential rooftop (or ground-mounted) PV solar panel costs between $5 and $8 per watt, uninstalled. Of course, you can find cheaper prices, but be wary how cheap you go, because solar PV is complex technology, requiring careful assembly of delicate components like doped silicon chips, backboards, and a surface layer (glass, in the case of crystalline silicon, or c-Si).

Add to that an inverter, often a battery backup system and charge controller – not to mention a racking or mounting system that may or may not penetrate your valuable and expensive roof covering – and you are in “expert only” territory. Then tack on routine maintenance and inspection, which you most likely don’t have a clue how to tackle, and the reasons for hiring a licensed solar installer are abundantly clear in both dollars and worry-value.

One excellent participant in the solar installer training process is Boots on the Roof, but again, it doesn’t offer a provider directory.

Which leads you right back to where you started, the CalFinder Solar site, where you can access a list of licensed installers. There, wasn’t that easy?

Photo Credit: OregonDOT, US Army Environmental Command, & Matt Montagne via Flickr CC

Homeowners are currently reporting a delay of three to four weeks just to get their new solar installations connected to the main utility company’s power meters. Usually, this routine service takes no more than 10 days—and that’s on the slower end.

Quite simply, the utility wasn’t prepared for the influx of homeowner interest in sustainable energy, and they haven’t had the manpower to keep up with rising demand. PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles says they are now working to get things running more smoothly.

So what was the reason behind the boom in the first place? One theory is that the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program that helped property owners finance solar energy systems through a property tax assessment (known as the PACE program) was all the incentive homeowners needed to move forward with their green energy projects. In fact, even after the government pushed for stricter regulations and all but killed PACE programs across the country, 790 projects were financed.

Whatever the reason, it seems like this is one trend that won’t be slowing anytime soon. And that means that changes need to be made—and fast.

Photo Creidt: Oregon DOT via Flickr CC

With solar panel in tow, she educated everyone on the always-crowded GMA stage, as well as those watching from home, on the benefits of going solar and the cost benefits of leasing — that SunRun pays for, installs, remotely monitors and maintains the home solar power system. All this comes at little or no cost to the homeowner, who only pays for the clean, renewable electricity the system produces.

“All you have to do is buy the electricity just like you’re paying your normal electric company,” Jurich explained. “It’s actually even or at a discount to what you’re paying the electric company.” Except with the SunRun way, you’re using little or no fossil-fueled electricity.

So far, SunRun has delivered solar power to more than 5,000 homes in five different states. Headquartered in San Francisco, the company operates in California, Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and New Jersey. In just three years, SunRun has grown into a national leader in solar financing and solar installations, thanks in large part to the company’s high level of service, which includes solar insurance, in addition to monitoring and maintenance.

In case you missed it, you can watch the video of SunRun’s Lynn Jurich, as well as find more information on going solar with SunRun, at the GMA website.

Think home solar is still a pipe dream? Not so, say the folks at SunRun Solar Financing, a solar financing company that installs whole systems for as low as $0 down. Companies like SunRun not only make solar affordable, but literally spin the meters backwards for homeowners across the country.

Intrigued? We sat down with SunRun director Grayson Morris to talk solar, pricing, affordability and more. Take a look.

What exactly is SunRun and what are your typical prices for solar systems?

SunRun is a clean alternative to the utility. Historically, homeowners have not had the choice of who they buy their power from. They are stuck in a relationship with a utility that can raise rates at any time and that burns fossil fuels to get energy. SunRun finally gives homeowners a choice. For around $1,000, we will put a solar system on your home and then you simply pay for the clean solar electricity that the system produces. SunRun allows homeowners to benefit from clean solar energy for a low installation fee.

How many homeowners have you guys helped go solar?

So far we’ve helped almost 5,000 people go solar! We should blow by that number this summer, though.

What’s your favorite part about this job?

My favorite part is the stories we hear from customers about why they want to go solar and how easy SunRun has made it for them. Frequently, we get calls from people who couldn’t save enough to buy a system outright ($30,000+) and they’re super happy when they discover that SunRun can help them go solar for about the cost of a couple of airplane tickets. When they get the system installed and they’re standing in their yard watching the meter spin backwards, they’ll give us a call and laugh. That’s the fun part.

What’s your role in the process?

My role is to guide my team that talks to homeowners across the country about SunRun. Each day, we get calls, e-mails and inquiries from the five states we currently operate in. The folks under me have an individual conversation with every single one of them. We ask them why they are looking into solar, we view their home on-line to make sure their roof can accommodate a solar system, and we provide ballpark figures around the economics of going solar with SunRun. It’s important that we’re talking intelligently about SunRun and that we share a consistent message with homeowners across the country.

How did SunRun get started and where do you see the company headed?

SunRun was started by two classmates from the business school at Stanford. They saw that there were a bunch of companies doing this in the commercial sector (solar on Wal-Mart, Costco, Whole Foods, etc.) but no one was helping homeowners go solar. That was 2007. Their first office was in the attic of the co-founder’s home (I worked there that summer). Now we have 60+ people and we’re outgrowing our office space in San Francisco.

It has been a fun journey but we’re just getting started. There’s no reason 1 in 10 homes shouldn’t have a solar system on their rooftop.  A few years from now, you’ll be able to stand in the street of any neighborhood in California and I bet you’ll spot 5 solar systems and several will be SunRun systems. This is the way people will buy the bulk of their electricity going forward. It just makes a lot of sense.

That excellence shows in the impressive list of SolarMax partnerships. SolarMax was the first company to be approved as a solar vendor for Home Depot, helping to found the store’s solar department and becoming their full sales and integration partner. “It’s all about relationship-building with Solarmax,” said Sales Director Guillermo Santomauro. “Working with industry leaders allows us to pass those advantages on to homeowners.” SolarMax has also been working with BP Solar for eight years now and is one of only 25 vendors of the acclaimed SunPower panels.

Partnerships such as these are earned through experience and expertise. In just 10 years, SolarMax has grown to a full-fledged industry competitor, with employees handling everything from manufacturing to installation. Everyone is well-rounded in solar and all engineers are NABCEP-certified, a must for reputable installers. SolarMax does residential, commercial, wholesale, government and non-profits, including a special relationship with tribal governments as they work to become self-sufficient.

While other companies are just getting their feet wet in the home solar business, SolarMax is well-seasoned and branching out. “We’re not limited to our footprint here in SoCal,” said Santomauro. “We go anywhere.” The company is now working on a 1.2 MW project in New Jersey and even a 5 MW deal in China.

In the end, however, any accolades and company growth stem from one key ingredient: customer service. There’s not too much maintenance involved in solar panels, but SolarMax has an entire department set up to deal with post-installation relations with clients. “I have clients who call me for holidays and to say hello,” noted Santomauro. “The solar installation with SolarMax is handled by your one person – your sales consultant. They’ll be with you throughout the entire process.” It’s important to note that price is not everything, it’s the level of service combined with a phenomenal price, that’s the winning combination.

In 2000, most Americans didn’t even know what a solar panel looked like, but thanks to enviro-active citizens and companies like SolarMax, solar is set to become a primary power source of the future.

Photo Credit: The Breakthrough

Real Goods Solar of Hopland and San Rafael; Sequoia Solar of San Diego; and Solar Universe, California’s first solar installer franchise, are three newcomers to the Sonoma market. Sequoia Solar completed 15 projects in six weeks and is already looking to expand its presence in the area. Most Sonoma sales are residential and SCEIP-funded at an average of 5 kW of production per installation.

Solar Universe is based in Livermore and works just like a franchise, something heretofore unheard of in the solar installer business. The Sonoma branch of Solar Universe already has six employees, all local, and with solar installation experience among them.

Sonoma has even attracted start-ups like Westcoast Solar Electric, founded by two former project managers for Akeena Solar. Shortly after it was formed, Santa Rosa’s Akeena team jumped ship as well, and Westcoast Solar now has 14 employees. According to one of the founders, Westcoast Solar was profitable the minute it opened its doors, even though the Sonoma consumer base tends to research its purchases well before committing to an installer.

Perhaps the biggest advantage for Sonoma County, as a whole, are the jobs being created by the SCEIP. This is a big part of the dream for renewable energies – to provide a new and expanding job base for a job-starved economy.  Sonoma County and a few other California areas, are proving that it’s more than just a dream. I expect this type of program to continue gaining popularity nationwide and to make it easier than we anticipated for the country to overcome heavy investment in fossil fuels.

* It’s important to note that many current residential solar panel installers have prior roofing or electrical experience. In fact, many of these business are the ones making the switch to solar installation because they have many of the same skills under their belts.

Source: NorthBayBusinessJournal.com

Photo Credit: 1BOG & Daily Apple

Competition is heating up on the PV solar system market. Everyone is racing to produce panels that save money immediately, provide reliable performance and look good on homes. A solar panel that is attractive and delivers more reliable power for everyday savings is every homeowner’s dream. With Andalay integrated solar power systems, it seems that somebody has finally figured it out.

That somebody is Akeena Solar, a California leader in commercial and home solar installations. Akeena has developed Andalay AC, a patented solar electric system that delivers decades of savings through reliable performance, and yet offers a sleeker and more attractive look. And unlike ordinary solar systems, Andalay’s design allows homeowners to easily add on more panels as electricity needs grow.

Andalay is a built-in solar panel. Connectors, grounding, racking system and the inverter are all built into the panel. Andalay panels require 80% fewer rooftop-assembled parts than standard systems and 25% fewer roof penetrations to install. Fewer parts signify a longer-lasting panel, while fewer roof penetrations inherently make the system more weatherproof. At the heart of Andalay solar panels are high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells.

In fact, Akeena’s Andalay solar panels were recently named a breakthrough product of 2009 by Popular Mechanics Magazine alongside the Palm Pre and a new Ford engine.

Other benefits of Andalay Solar systems include:

• Attractive, all-black surface that complements your home
• Built-in racking, wiring and grounding improve reliability
• Award-winning technology that outperforms ordinary solar panels on cloudy days and shady areas
• Maximized performance from each panel for more everyday savings
• Web-based monitoring

Andalay panels have an output tolerance within 3% of specification and electricity production that is warranted for 25 years.