Are you looking for a great way to help the environment while saving money on your electric bills? If so, there is no better option than going with solar energy. Tampa, Florida has one of the best sunlight cycles throughout the year so it is not a problem finding a professional that will help you get the most out of your investment. But picking a less than optimal solar installation company in Tampa is not such a great idea. Some solar companies have been known for offering very cheap rates and use subpar quality solar panels and equipment for the job.
Not only can they lower your rate, but also they can actually lower your energy bill completely. But one of the big complaints about solar photovoltaic systems is the inability to lower your bill at peak sun hours. The photovoltaic cells and modules that are part of the entire solar system actually absorb and store the sun’s energy during the hours when it is not cloudy or rainy. And when it is time to draw power from the unit, there is nothing you can do to lower your bill other than lowering your usage during those peak sun hours.
That is where many people get into trouble. They buy a cheap PV panel or set up their own solar photovoltaic panels on their property only to discover that they use an astonishingly high number of hours each day. It’s not that they didn’t know about building solar systems. It is that they did not realize how ridiculously expensive they would need to get each month in order to fully pay off the cost of the energy they bought and the installation costs for their new solar photovoltaic units. Then they discovered that if they were going to spend two or three thousand dollars on each of those units, they might as well just forget about trying to ever pay off the initial investment.
Finding a good installer with a decent installation warranty can help you avoid this problem. Many people who find themselves stuck in this predicament make the mistake of thinking that if a company offers an installation warranty, it must be a really good one. But that’s not necessarily true. A warranty can cover only that which is defective. So if there is a manufacturing defect with one or more solar panels, then the warranty will not cover those damages. If a warranty is offered with the purchase of the product, it might be worth your while to look into the fine print before agreeing to the purchase.
One way to protect yourself from overpaying for your solar panels is to ask for quotes from different installers with respect to the total cost of the project. Find out what the electrician’s hourly wage is and how much warranty they are going to provide on their work. Most reputable companies should be willing to provide an estimate in writing. You can then take that number to another installer you are considering and get an idea of what you should expect to pay.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask the potential installer about his background. If he has been in the business for a long time, he will probably have a lot of referrals that you can check out. Ask the potential installer for references, and don’t be afraid to follow up with these references. You want an installer that will be there for you for a long time, and you want to make sure that the company he works for really does have a reputation for sticking by their products.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is the top choice for Tampa Bay Solar! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!
