Although investing in a solar panel system for your home or business is a great idea and one that will lead to energy bill savings and a lower carbon footprint, it’s still a big chunk of your hard-earned money to pay out.
This is why care should always be taken when making such an investment, and why you should be diligent in your decision-making when choosing a solar company in Calgary. Unfortunately, there are always pitfalls for new solar customers to fall into and mistakes to be made.
Here are 8 classic first-time solar buyer mistakes that you should try to avoid:
1. Not conducting enough research
Knowing some background information about solar panels, such as brands, installers, what materials panels are made from, and which ones are the most efficient, cost-effective, and long-lasting, as well as understanding the latest innovations in solar technology, can help you make an informed decision that will protect your investment.
Carry out plenty of research and take your time assessing your options.
2. Not paying attention to local regulations and incentives
Many areas of the country offer such financial incentives, such as tax rebates and credits, but these can vary significantly according to where you live. Familiarize yourself with potential financial incentives in your area that could lower the price of your installation and save you money.
3. Failing to prioritize quality
All too often, new solar customers are tempted to buy panels from installers offering rock bottom prices, but this almost always means that the panels are of an inferior standard and won’t last as long or perform as well as other, more expensive brands and types of panels.
Cutting costs at this stage could lead to the system costing you more down the line and saving you less on your energy bills due to inefficiencies.
4. Not thinking about the warranty
A solid warranty can help protect your investment against such things as performance issues and defects, and it’s worth noting that a standard warranty can last for up to 25 years.
5. Inaccurately assessing your energy needs
It’s easy to underestimate the energy needs of your home or business when selecting a solar panel system but doing so can lead to insufficient energy production if there are too few panels, or unnecessary costs if there are too many.”
6. Selecting an inexperienced installer
Even if you choose a relatively new installer, provided they’ve got all the necessary qualifications and skills, you should be able to rely on them to install your system correctly. However, if you choose an installer who can’t provide you with any evidence of their qualifications or experience you could end up with a poorly installed system that isn’t as efficient as it should be.
7. Ignoring the condition and orientation of the roof
These two factors play a highly significant role in how efficient your solar system will be overall. If your roof needs repairs or a replacement, it may not be able to support a solar panel array until the problems have been fixed. And, if your roof doesn’t face south or southwest, you might not get as much from a solar panel system as you had hoped.
8. Not going through your financing options
It may be that a lease, loan, or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) could make solar energy a more viable option for you from a financial standpoint, but if you don’t investigate these potential options thoroughly, you could end up with an upfront investment for a solar panel installation in Calgary that you can’t really afford.
These mistakes are easy to avoid, and yet so many first-time solar customers rush into the process without paying close enough attention to what they’re investing their money in. With adequate research and plenty of due diligence, you can make a sound investment in solar for yourself, your family, and the planet.
