The number of companies offering solar equipment is rapidly increasing. And each solar professional you speak with will have certain products they recommend, and they usually have very convincing reasons for recommending those products. This can make it a challenge for consumers to know whose opinion to trust, and which products are truly the best.
So how do you choose? As with any major purchase, you will want to do your homework. With all the focus on renewable energy, it is easier than ever to get reliable information on manufacturers and specific technologies, but this can also leave you with an overwhelming pile of information to sort through.
Our best suggestion is to let Main Street Solar, Virginia’s most trusted solar installation team, guide you through the ever-changing maze of renewable technology. Because renewables are a major investment, it is always a good idea to use a solar professional.
Once you have recommendations on products, you can also do some research online to see what others are saying about those products. Check out each manufacturer’s website or give them a call. Check out one of the many industry blogs, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and industry publications. (Remember, the manufacturer will naturally tell you the best about their products, so don’t rely solely on the information they provide to make your decision.) Because of the increased demand for renewables, third party testing agencies such as Consumer Reports are also starting to offer consumers with quality information.
In our opinion, here are some things you’ll want to consider as you’re shopping for products and choosing brands:
How long has the manufacturer been making renewable energy products?
There are a plethora of new companies getting into the industry, and we have found many of them use “the new math” when they calculate their industry experience. Don’t just take their word for it – ask around to find out if they really know what it takes to make good products.
What is the track record of their products?
Ask around about a manufacturer’s reputation and about how their products perform in the field. You can find online sources for this information, or you can talk with consumers who are using their products. Main Street Solar can help you find end-users to talk with about the products you are considering.
Is it proven technology, or will you be “field testing” something new?
We get calls all the time from people asking about the latest and greatest products available. And though there are many new and exciting renewable energy products being introduced into the market, we prefer to take a somewhat cautious approach when considering something we haven’t tried before.
So first we look at who is introducing the product. We are much more confident when trying out something new from the industry leaders like OutBack Power, SMA, Xantrex, Sharp Solar or BP Solar, than we are about trying something from XYZ Company, who we have never heard of. It doesn’t mean XYZ’s product isn’t good, it just means that we don’t have history with them to rely on. We know that OutBack, etc., will be there should their product not perform as they’ve expected, and we know they will make it right. We don’t know if XYZ Company will.
Another reason we are cautious is because sometimes a technology is so new there is insufficient field performance data for us to be confident recommending it.
Another thought about new renewable energy technology: It often seems that the marketing and sales folks get all excited and start talking about new products that are only in the early stages of research and development and/or that are far from actual production. The most common one we hear about is new solar panel technology that will cost almost nothing and make gigawatts of power. So far, (unfortunately) none of those products have actually shown up in the market.
Is it the right product to do the job?
Sometimes you may hear of a couple of different products that have proven track records and that are made by reputable companies. So how do you know which one is right? Obviously the first consideration is whether or not they will do the job you need them to do. Again our best recommendation is to give us a call. Our job is to give you accurate, dependable information to base your decision on. If we don’t have the answers, we will help you find them. The assuming each of the solar products you’re considering will do the job, it naturally comes down practical details such as price, warranty, and extra features.
Which products is your solar contractor using at their home and/or business?
This is a great question to ask. It not only tells you something about the products, but also helps you determine if your solar professional has practical experience with the products they sell.
