According to the Solar Energies Industry Association, 3.71 percent of Colorado’s electricity gets generated via solar cell. This makes Colorado the 12th state in the nation for solar power.

Are you thinking about adding solar panels to your Colorado home? Are you overwhelmed by all your options?

Read on for some tips that will help you choose between all the different solar panel companies in Colorado.

Ask for Referrals

Have any of your friends or neighbors installed solar panels on their homes recently?

If so, get in touch and ask them which company they worked with. Find out, too, whether or not they’re happy with the work that the company did.

Getting a referral from a trusted friend or neighbor is one of the easiest ways to find a good solar panel company and get the ball rolling right away.

Look at Local Businesses

If you can’t get a referral, or if you just want to learn about other options, start by looking into local companies. Check for solar panel installers in your city or from a neighboring city if possible.

These installers will be more familiar with the installation requirements for houses like yours and will know how to make the process as simple as possible. They are often more reliable than national installers, too, and they make it easier for you to connect to a real person (not an automated answering service) when you need help.

Consider Company Type

There are lots of different types of solar panel companies. The following are some of the most well-known ones you might encounter when you start your search:

• Installation companies: This type purchases the panels from a manufacturer and installs them on your roof
• Financing companies: This type partners with installation companies and dealers to help with financing the cost of installation
• Lead generation companies: This type generates leads and sales for installers and other companies
• Dealers: This type sells products on behalf of the solar panel manufacturer

If possible, try to connect with an installation company. This will provide you with the most straightforward experience and will save you from getting transferred to lots of different people before you finally get in touch with an actual installer.  

Get Multiple Quotes

Always get multiple quotes from a few different installation companies. This makes it easier for you to compare different businesses in your area and figure out which one gives you the most bang for your buck.

Look Beyond Price

Keep in mind, though, that price is not the only thing that matters when it comes to solar panel installation.

Of course, you want to get a good deal. After all, solar panels are a big investment. However, you should also remember that quality is equally (if not more) important.

With something as big as solar panels, it’s worth it to spend a bit more if it means working with a more reliable company that has better reviews or that guarantees their work for a longer period of time.

Take price into account, but don’t let it be the only factor that influences your final decision.  

Ask About Expertise

Before you trust a group of people to climb up on your roof and install solar panels, you need to know that you’re working with skilled professionals.

At a minimum, your solar panel installers should have 2 years of previous installation experience. Ideally, they will also have passed the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners exam for installers.

If this information isn’t displayed on a company’s website, or if they will not verify it for you when you ask, that’s a red flag.

Check for Licensing and Insurance

Additionally, you should ask about licensing and insurance. Some standard licenses that solar installers should have include:

• General contracting
• Home improvement
• Home performance contracting
• Electrician

Installers should also be OSHA certified and have general liability insurance.

These basic licensing and insurance requirements help to ensure a high-quality installation process. They also protect you from lawsuits in case anyone gets injured while working on your home.

Read Reviews

Always read reviews on third-party websites before you decide to partner with a specific solar panel company. This is especially helpful if you can’t get a referral from anyone you know and trust.

Reading reviews provides more insight into what each company offers and the quality of work they do. Use this information to compare and contrast different installers and what they bring to the table. 

Ask About Warranties and Maintenance

A warranty will cover a variety of problems that might arise with your solar panels. Most solar panel installation companies will offer a warranty that ranges from 1 year to 25 years. Always ask about a warranty before you decide to work with a particular company, and find out which problems, specifically, it covers.

Keep in mind, too, that your warranty doesn’t do much good if the solar installation company goes out of business before you can use it. This is why it’s important to work with a company that’s been around for a while and has a good reputation.

Be Wary of High-Pressure Sales Tactics

At this point, you might be feeling more excited about trying to discover more on solar panel installation companies in your area. Once you start reaching out, though, you may find yourself faced with some high-pressure sales tactics.

Be wary of anyone who pushes you to make a decision right then without weighing your options first. A good installer will be confident in their work and will give you the space to decide what you want without pressuring you. 

Solar Panel Companies in Colorado: Which One Will You Choose?

Now that you know more about how to choose between the different solar panel companies in Colorado, which one seems like the right fit for your solar panel installation? Keep this list of tips in mind so you can choose a solar energy company that aligns with your needs and goals.

If you need more help, check out some of the other articles on solar panels on our site today. We’ve got lots of resources to guide you and simplify the decision-making process.

Jane