Install a solar power system at your Oregon home, and you can look forward to having a trouble-free source of electricity for decades to come. When you factor in the energy savings and the financial incentives for adopting solar power, PV systems pay for themselves rather quickly, often within 8 to 10 years.
For this outcome, however, making the right decisions in regards to your solar installation is the key. If you’re in the planning stages of a residential PV project, following the tips below can help ensure your solar power system remains trouble-free.
Choose the Right Solar Company
Cost is a definite consideration for every Oregon homeowner who wants to invest in solar power. But, automatically going with the contractor who offers the lowest price isn’t always the best choice.
Customer service, workmanship, equipment quality and warranties can vary from one solar company to the next. When looking for a contractor to complete your residential PV project, consider all of the following:
- Expertise – Is the contractor certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)? Has the solar company been handling residential installations for at least a few years?
- Documentation – Does the contractor have the proper professional license to install solar power systems in the state of Oregon? Do they have sufficient liability insurance coverage to protect homeowners?
- Warranty – Does the solar company stand behind their work? In other words, do they offer a workmanship warranty in addition to warranty coverage for the components used for PV system installation?
- Reputation – Are you mainly seeing positive customer reviews of the solar company? What is their rating with the Better Business Bureau? Is the contractor willing to provide references from other Oregon homeowners?
Install High-Grade Solar Components
We’ve all heard the saying – you get what you pay for. And when it comes to a residential solar power project, this is an accurate assessment.
Sure, opting for top-quality, brand-name solar components will increase your upfront costs. On the other hand, if you choose equipment from an unknown manufacturer or one with a history of reliability concerns, you’ll be more likely to have problems down the line.
For trouble-free operation and the maximum in solar power production, photovoltaic experts recommend Tier-1 solar panels. Investing in an inverter from a top-ranking brand, like SolarEdge, is also in your best interests. As for the rooftop mounting racks, you’ll want the best available, as those allow for a safe and secure installation. Make sure, too, that your contractor uses the proper flashing and sealing techniques when placing the roof mounts, or you could end up with a leak.
Track Your Solar Power Production
The opportunity for financial savings is what drives most Oregon homeowners to install solar power systems. As such, keeping an eye on the monthly utility bills becomes a natural habit once a PV project is complete – but this isn’t the best way to confirm that your solar panels are performing as expected.
Why not? While a bill that’s significantly higher than that of the previous month is a sign that something is wrong, relying on this strategy isn’t wise because:
- Utility statements show the electricity you feed into the grid, not the amount the solar panels generate
- The PV system could be malfunctioning for weeks, but you won’t know until you receive the next utility bill
- Since utility rates frequently fluctuate due to market conditions, that could be the reason for a higher bill
What’s more, monthly utility statements won’t indicate how much electricity your solar panels should produce — and no fluctuations could simply mean the PV system is consistently underperforming.
A better way to spot issues is to install a solar monitor. With a monitoring system from a top-ranking brand, you can easily see the amount of electricity produced on any given day. A monitor can also show you the total solar power production over time, allowing you to better understand any significant variations. Most can be accessed remotely via a phone or any other mobile device, and most can be set up to send you an alert if the PV system has a performance issue.
Contact Nationwide Solar for a Free Consultation
If you’re ready to make the switch to solar power, going with a trusted leader in the Oregon photovoltaic industry would be to your advantage. Nationwide Solar, an award-winning contractor with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, has what it takes to design and install a cost-effective PV system that meets your household energy needs.
For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your plans to adopt solar power at your Oregon home, get in touch with Nationwide Solar today.
