Solar Buying 101
Now that you are actively considering going solar, it is important to first understand that not all companies, products, warranties, and installations are the same. Unless you know the RIGHT questions to ask, you might not end up with the right solar energy solution. Do not be fooled by the companies that generalize “25 year warranty” and do not explain in detail how the warranties work and the exclusions manufacturer’s have for their products.
Home solar systems often come with a warranty for the roof penetrations, solar panels, inverter(s), racking hardware, and monitoring system. That is potentially 5 separate warranties if different products from different manufacturers are being used. If this sounds familiar (and a little confusing) you are not alone. Unfortunately, for several reasons, many consultants and sales representatives do not properly explain the ins and outs of the project or set the correct expectations. They know that homeowners often get fixated on price and assume solar is solar and they use that to their advantage. Therefore, it is crucial that you are informed and prepared before signing any contracts or agreements.
Personally, we feel this happens because converting to clean energy is still a relatively new concept and many homeowners have yet to learn about some of the potential pitfalls and shortcomings associated with adding a solar system to their home. Whether or not you choose to partner with us, we hope this information will help you get you off to a good start in your quest for energy independence. Here are some examples of the right questions to ask when considering adding a solar solution to your home.
Top 10 Questions to Protect Your Investment and Reduce Liabilities
At SYNRG, we partner with the top brands in the industry to provide the best solar solutions. To determine the right products for your home, we start by assessing your current and future energy needs, roof layout/material, and budget. Once we thoroughly understand your situation, we design a custom solar system tailored to your needs. We will walk you through each product individually, ensuring you are well-informed and satisfied with our choices. This meticulous approach ensures the project is done right from the start.
This information is crucial when it comes to designing a system and setting the correct expectations
for your systems performance and monthly/annual savings. We not only help customers obtain this information from the
utility company very easily, but, more importantly, we will analyze the information with you and explain how
it is used to intelligently design your system and ensure maximum savings. No cookie cutter or one size fits
all programs here. We want each customer to have the right system for their needs.
We can! We take pride in the products we sell and we want you to know what you are buying. Solar is not all
the same despite what some companies want you to believe. There are dozens of solar panel manufacturers and
each manufacturer offers several different options in terms of panel wattage, efficiency, and degradation
rate. We encourage all potential customers to get these answers from each company you request a quote from
to ensure you are buying the highest quality clean energy solution that fits your budget.
Yes, we do. We highly encourage all customers to discuss this potential issue ahead of time, especially if
your roof has not had new weatherproofing in 20+ years. Installing a solar system that is meant to last 25+
years on a roof that is already 20-30 years old is obviously not a smart idea. Removing a system, replacing
roofing material, and reinstalling the system can cost thousands and be very inconvenient. Avoid extra cost
and headaches by working with a company who has your best interest at heart and has the resources and
knowledge to complete your project correctly.
Our installers are manufacturer-trained and certified employees. Each crew member has had to undergo a
background check and extensive training to be an installer. We feel this is the best way to ensure your
system is installed correctly and performs as expected.
For us, we use in-house, W-2 employed technicians. These men and women are trained professionals and experts at their craft. They are vital assets to ensuring your system is installed correctly and according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Warranty terms, durations, and exclusions vary between brands and products. During your consultation, our experienced consultants will review each product and its warranty individually to ensure you are well-informed and comfortable with the terms and conditions. Not all equipment or installation warranties are the same, so we strongly encourage you to take the time to understand how your system is protected in case of a malfunction.
Yes! Improper installation and handling of materials are the most common issues that void manufacturer warranties. This is crucial because when a warranty claim is filed, manufacturers will request the damaged product(s) back to diagnose the issue. They have the final say on who is responsible for the cost of replacement part(s), shipping, and labor. To ensure our customers never have to worry about this, we do not use unverified subcontractors. Our in-house technicians are properly trained and will treat your home as if it were their own.
There are several financial options available for going solar, and the right one for you depends on your financial situation, goals, and preferences. Our consultants are well versed in every option and will take the time to figure out which is best suited for you and your family. For example, here are the three most popular options with a few pros and cons listed.
-
Cash Purchase
Pros: You own the system outright, which means you can take advantage of tax credits and incentives. Over time, this investment will yield the highest savings of all options.
Cons: Requires a significant upfront/out-of-pocket cost. Warranties can be less comprehensive than other options.
-
Solar Loans
Pros: Allows you to finance the system with little to no money down. You can benefit from tax credits and incentives, and your home will be appraised for more.
Cons: Loans are reported to credit agencies and will impact your debt-to-income ratio. Loans can come with high interest rates and upfront lending fees. Depending on the term length and lending fees, your monthly payment can be more than your current energy bill.
-
Solar Lease
Pros: No upfront costs, immediate savings, No impact on your debt-to-income ratio, immediate savings, and all-inclusive warranties NO MATTER the equipment.
Cons: You don't own the system, homes value will not increase, and savings will not be as substantial as a cash purchase.
This is probably the most crucial question to ask so we are going to take an extra minute to explain…
Given the extreme competitiveness within the industry, many companies are forced to come up with creative ways to
differentiate themselves from the competition. One common tactic used by many sales companies is to offer
extended warranties or exaggerated performance guarantees that make-up for using lower quality equipment.
On the surface, this might not seem out of the ordinary as many companies do the same thing for all sorts of products.
However, it is important to remember that extended warranties and performance guarantees are NOT backed by the manufacture
and will be void should the solar company ever go out of business.
The inherent problem we are trying to make potential customers aware of is that; with lower quality products
and cost, comes lower quality performances and warranties. Don't be fooled by marketing tactics and empty promises.
Make sure you request to see the manufacturer's warranty guidelines and compare the details with what the sales
company is promising to ensure you are not being misled. Or do a simple google search and find the warranty
contracts for yourself. They are all readily available online.
At SYNRG Solar, transparency sets us apart. We pride ourselves on offering the most advanced, efficient, and complete solar system in the industry. Whether you seek the best with the most comprehensive warranties available or you are on a budget and extended warranties are not a priority, we will custom build the system that's right for you.
At SYNRG, we partner with the top brands in the industry to provide the best solar solutions. To determine the right products for your home, we start by assessing your current and future energy needs, roof layout/material, and budget. Once we thoroughly understand your situation, we design a custom solar system tailored to your needs. We will walk you through each product individually, ensuring you are well-informed and satisfied with our choices. This meticulous approach ensures the project is done right from the start.
This information is crucial when it comes to designing a system and setting the correct expectations for your systems performance and monthly/annual savings. We not only help customers obtain this information from the utility company very easily, but, more importantly, we will analyze the information with you and explain how it is used to intelligently design your system and ensure maximum savings. No cookie cutter or one size fits all programs here. We want each customer to have the right system for their needs.
We can! We take pride in the products we sell and we want you to know what you are buying. Solar is not all the same despite what some companies want you to believe. There are dozens of solar panel manufacturers and each manufacturer offers several different options in terms of panel wattage, efficiency, and degradation rate. We encourage all potential customers to get these answers from each company you request a quote from to ensure you are buying the highest quality clean energy solution that fits your budget.
Yes, we do. We highly encourage all customers to discuss this potential issue ahead of time, especially if your roof has not had new weatherproofing in 20+ years. Installing a solar system that is meant to last 25+ years on a roof that is already 20-30 years old is obviously not a smart idea. Removing a system, replacing roofing material, and reinstalling the system can cost thousands and be very inconvenient. Avoid extra cost and headaches by working with a company who has your best interest at heart and has the resources and knowledge to complete your project correctly.
Our installers are manufacturer-trained and certified employees. Each crew member has had to undergo a background check and extensive training to be an installer. We feel this is the best way to ensure your system is installed correctly and performs as expected.
For us, we use in-house, W-2 employed technicians. These men and women are trained professionals and experts at their craft. They are vital assets to ensuring your system is installed correctly and according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Warranty terms, durations, and exclusions vary between brands and products. During your consultation, our experienced consultants will review each product and its warranty individually to ensure you are well-informed and comfortable with the terms and conditions. Not all equipment or installation warranties are the same, so we strongly encourage you to take the time to understand how your system is protected in case of a malfunction.
Yes! Improper installation and handling of materials are the most common issues that void manufacturer warranties. This is crucial because when a warranty claim is filed, manufacturers will request the damaged product(s) back to diagnose the issue. They have the final say on who is responsible for the cost of replacement part(s), shipping, and labor. To ensure our customers never have to worry about this, we do not use unverified subcontractors. Our in-house technicians are properly trained and will treat your home as if it were their own.
There are several financial options available for going solar, and the right one for you depends on your financial situation, goals, and preferences. Our consultants are well versed in every option and will take the time to figure out which is best suited for you and your family. For example, here are the three most popular options with a few pros and cons listed.
-
Cash Purchase
Pros: You own the system outright, which means you can take advantage of tax credits and incentives. Over time, this investment will yield the highest savings of all options.
Cons: Requires a significant upfront/out-of-pocket cost. Warranties can be less comprehensive than other options.
-
Solar Loans
Pros: Allows you to finance the system with little to no money down. You can benefit from tax credits and incentives, and your home will be appraised for more.
Cons: Loans are reported to credit agencies and will impact your debt-to-income ratio. Loans can come with high interest rates and upfront lending fees. Depending on the term length and lending fees, your monthly payment can be more than your current energy bill.
-
Solar Lease
Pros: No upfront costs, immediate savings, No impact on your debt-to-income ratio, immediate savings, and all-inclusive warranties NO MATTER the equipment.
Cons: You don't own the system, homes value will not increase, and savings will not be as substantial as a cash purchase.
This is probably the most crucial question to ask so we are going to take an extra minute to explain…
Given the extreme competitiveness within the industry, many companies are forced to come up with creative ways to differentiate themselves from the competition. One common tactic used by many sales companies is to offer extended warranties or exaggerated performance guarantees that make-up for using lower quality equipment. On the surface, this might not seem out of the ordinary as many companies do the same thing for all sorts of products. However, it is important to remember that extended warranties and performance guarantees are NOT backed by the manufacture and will be void should the solar company ever go out of business.
The inherent problem we are trying to make potential customers aware of is that; with lower quality products and cost, comes lower quality performances and warranties. Don't be fooled by marketing tactics and empty promises. Make sure you request to see the manufacturer's warranty guidelines and compare the details with what the sales company is promising to ensure you are not being misled. Or do a simple google search and find the warranty contracts for yourself. They are all readily available online.
At SYNRG Solar, transparency sets us apart. We pride ourselves on offering the most advanced, efficient, and complete solar system in the industry. Whether you seek the best with the most comprehensive warranties available or you are on a budget and extended warranties are not a priority, we will custom build the system that's right for you.
Solar Panel Technology
Watch these videos to learn more about the proprietary technology used to create the most advanced, efficient, and durable solar panels in the world.
