Solar-Ray provides one of the most thorough and precise solar site evaluations in the industry. Below is a description of what you can expect for a nominal charge that will be refunded with a system purchase. Call today to learn more or schedule an appointment (407) 443-4404, or email solarray@solar-ray.net
A Solar-Ray PV Site Evaluation consists of:
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A full year’s analysis of your solar exposure from five points of the projected array location using digital imaging from a Solar Pathfinder.
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Identification of significant shading objects with time of day and month they will occur.
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Basic design and price estimate for a recommended system including module size, array configuration, wiring plan, inverter selection, and balance-of-system component location.
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Spreadsheet of estimated daily AC production using regional solar radiation data from the U.S. Department of Energy and calculations of inherent system power losses.
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Product specifications and warranty information on selected modules, inverter, and mounting system.
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Current information on your utility’s net-metering and interconnection policy. Information on applicable building codes, safety regulations, Florida construction contracting law, and recommended best practices for system installation.
Working with a Solar Installer
(Written by Mike Hall in the Fall issue of Solar Today magazine.)
Once you’ve decided to purchase a solar electric power system, your next step is to choose a solar electric contractor. Some points you should consider when deciding on the best fit:
Who has the necessary experience and certifications? Look for a track record of successful installations and satisfied customers. Is the lead installer certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners *(NABCEP) or by a state board? Does the company have the correct licenses to do the work?
Who has the best-trained and qualified staff? Does the company have people on staff who can arrange financing, file paperwork for permits and incentives and measure system performance? Will the work crew follow appropriate building codes for roof integrity? Will the crew follow worker safety procedures specified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?
Who has the best customer service and warranty? What’s the contractor’s reputation for follow-up service? Check references. Call past customers to find out whether schedules were met and problems solved.
Read the contract
It should specify the total contract prices, how and when incentive payments will be credited, payment schedules and warranty terms on products and service. Find out what kind of insurance the contractor carries, what part of the work will be done by subcontractors and what your liability may be if the primary contractor fails to pay a subcontractor.
Request multiple bids
Claudia Wentworth of NorCal Solar recommends getting bids from three contractors. Each bidding company should review your utility bills and your site, then recommend a system configuration. Choose the one that best fits your budget and goals, and put that system out to all thee contractors for an “apples to apples” bid. Another method is to hire a solar system design engineer, and provide the detailed specification to the installation contractors to bid the job.
Schedule some preliminary conversations with contractors. You’ll evaluate the contractors as they evaluate your power needs. Points to consider include your energy-usage history, if you want a ground-or-roof mounted system, the direction you roof faces, the basic costs and financing options available, any potential shading risks taken from satellite views of your property, and your primary goals and concerns for going solar. A conscientious company will do a detailed site evaluation before bidding on the job.
Once you’ve settled on a contractor, you’ll meet at least one more time to take final measurements and go over the contract carefully. The contractor will take a deposit, order materials and schedule an installation date.
The installation of a residential solar system should take two or three days. Installation isn’t complete until it’s tested and shown to meet power production specifications. Once that’s established, you can take satisfaction in watching the electric meter spin backward during daylight hours.
Search of a contractor on Findsolar.com. For word-of-mouth recommendations, attend meetings of your local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.
Check Warranties
Solar modules carry a 25-year warranty but are made to last 30 to 40 years with little to no maintenance. The aluminum support system should last at least that long, and the roof should remain watertight for the warranty life of the system. Other components (charge controllers and inverters, for instance) carry shorter warranties. Your contract should specify a service policy for these components.
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