5 things to know if you are considering a solar system for your home or business (#5 will blow your mind):

1. Who Should I Choose for My Solar Installer.
Ultimately you want to move forward with a company that you trust. You should choose an installer that offers a great service and product while providing an excellent overall value. A local company can usually tailor a project to your specific needs and at a much lower cost than other “big box” solar companies. If you decide on a local company, ensure that the work being done on your home is being performed by a licensed electrician. It always best to choose an installer who employs their own crew because it ensures quality of work and accountability.

We recommend that you always receive multiple quotes in order to protect yourself against an unfair high price. On average, homeowners save 10% or more when they receive multiple bids on a job. There is nothing worse than having buyer’s remorse after finding out your neighbor paid 10% less for the same solar system.

Arguably the most important thing to consider when choosing an installer is the provided warranty. Look into what it covers and for how long. Warranties can range from 10 years to 25 years and vary greatly with the protections they offer. Also, inquire about protections if the company goes out of business. Is this a warranty backed by the manufacturer or the installer? Make sure you are not left in the dark if your installer goes belly up.

Pro tip – Not all companies guarantee the roof as part of their install. It always a good idea to ensure your roof is in good condition and to understand your installers re-roof policy if you need to remove your panels for a repair in the future.

2. Going Solar is Easier Than You Might Think.
Solar projects have now progressed to the point where installation processes have can be completed in 1 to 3 days. Prior to installation there are various hoops to jump through. A reputable company will be there to guide you through the process so that it causes as little stress as possible. A typical project can take 6-10 weeks from initial consultation to flipping the switch on an installed system because there are utility regulations and permits to complete before any work can be done.

This may seem like a long time but Isaksen Solar takes care of our clients every step of the way. You just say the word and we take care of utility documentation, town or city permitting, even the financing process. Our goal in every project is to have our customers say “Wow, that was easier than expected”. This philosophy is the guiding principal that provides an enjoyable process for our customers, you sit back and we do all the hard work!

3. Is my house or business a good fit?
Every solar project has a unique set of challenges to overcome. To start the process, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Does my roof get enough sunlight?
If you are surrounded by trees, then the answer is most likely no. On the other hand, if you can fry an egg on your back porch you may be a perfect fit.

• Do I use enough electricity to make solar worth it?
Ultimately, that is for you to decide. Most people who pay more than $70.00 per month for electricity would typically be a good fit.

• Do I need a new roof?
We recommend that your roof be no older than 10 years. Each home is fully inspected as installations are determined to pass or fail based on condition, not on age.

Unfortunately, not every home is a fit. If your roof is disqualified during the engineering process you could always look into a ground mounted system. Before installing we verify all projects with our structural engineers. Once installed we guarantee our craftsmanship and the power the system produces.

4. Where are my solar panels coming from?
There is an incredible amount of options today for solar panels. It can be dizzying trying to do research on your own. Most solar panels are manufactured in China, South Korea, or Malaysia. Very few are actually manufactured here in the United States. The US government recently decided to place a 30% Tax on all solar panel imports. To ensure that your cost is as low as possible, we recommend using panels manufactured exclusively in the USA.

5. How much does it really cost to go solar? It’s cheaper than you think!
There are multiple incentives available to homeowners that the net cost of owning your own solar system is a fraction of what you are going to pay your utility company long term. The best part? Most homeowners decide to finance their systems with $0 down.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American uses 897 kWh of energy or $215.00 per month. This means that over the next 25 years the average Massachusetts home will consume over $64,000.00 in electricity (assuming that electricity rates never increase over that time). A solar system that provides the same amount of electricity would cost about $36,000.00. System owners can qualify to receive 30% of the cost refunded to them in their tax return through the Solar Investment tax credit. There is also a Massachusetts state tax credit and SREC’s that are issued to the owner of the solar system for ten years.

After factoring in available incentives, the net cost of the system would be $7,300.00. This example shows that Solar can be 89% cheaper than the utility. Because of these available incentives, the cost of solar ownership has never been lower than it is today. Unfortunately, these programs are not in place for much longer. Enrollment in the SREC program is only available for the next few months with a current deadline of March 31, 2018. Table 1 shows the breakdown of these incentives

Interested in more information? Call today 508.567.0647 or visit our website at isaksensolar.com. You may also visit the FAQ page for more details.