Many solar companies promise homeowners big savings. But it can be hard to know which claims to believe or which installation company to hire.
Sherwood: “The biggest issue is when companies oversell what the solar can do.”
Larry Sherwood is president and CEO of the nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
His group created a checklist of questions to ask when having solar installed.
Sherwood: “ … to help the consumers be as knowledgeable as possible.”
For example, it recommends you compare bids from multiple companies.
These bids should include an evaluation of the roof’s suitability for solar, as well as estimates of the panels’ energy output and how much money you’ll save.
Sherwood: “Then you can see if one of the bids … seems totally out of line with the other ones. Then you can ask more questions of that company.”
Sherwood also recommends finding a company that will help with the paperwork needed to connect the panels to the power grid and to redeem any relevant tax credits.
With this information, you can feel confident as you make the switch to clean energy.
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
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