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This site has one of the most comprehensive listings of
Solar Energy Companies on the web. We suggest you look for
your local Solar Energy Sales Company. Solarbuzz does
not endorse individual Sales Companies. You should contact
your local Solar Energy Association or Chamber of Commerce.
To find your local solar energy installer, please try this
link.
We encourage you to do your own research first. Become an
educated buyer before going to the Solar Sales Company!
| 1.
Check out with your local planning authority to find
out what permits are required to install a Solar System
and
what are the relevant electric codes that must be followed? |
| 2.
If you have a local home owners association which governs
what modifications you can make to your property, check
out what flexibility you have to install solar modules
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3. Talk to your Mortgage Company about how they can
help with financing the Solar System |
| 4.
Check
with your Home Insurance Company. You should ask about
issues associated with installing the solar modules
on your property. Questions should include issues surrounding
integration of the solar module structure with the existing
roof materials and regarding the Fire parts of your
policy. These are the types of checks you should make
with your Insurance Company no matter what type of energy
choice you make. Safety comes first! |
| 5.
Talk to your local Utility about what Agreements they
will require you sign in order to connect to the electricity
grid |
| 6.
Talk to your local Utility or local Energy Authority
to ask whether there are any rebates available on the
purchase of a Solar Energy System, what you will "earn"
for the electricity that you generate (and send back
to the electricity grid) and ask what qualifications
your Solar System Installer should have |
| 7.
Check out this web site for information
on the payback on Solar energy
systems |
Your
main questions of the Solar Sales Company should be:
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1. What is the projected energy output of the Solar
Module or the full Solar System over its expected life?
(your Solar Retailer may utilize a computer model, known
as a "Sizing Program" to make this calculation). |
| 2.
What part of this output is Warranted? Usually there
will be a minimum Watt
peak for the Solar Module over twenty or more years.
It is not usual for the energy output of individual
Solar Modules or complete Residential Solar Systems
to be warranted because the energy output depends upon
many technical factors, but more importantly on the
weather! You should expect a warranty which covers against
a breakdown of any part of the System though (i.e. maintenance,
repair). |
| 3.
What is the cost of the Solar System (or Module)? Compare
this to '1' to work out your cost of energy and comparison
between Solar Energy Systems. |
| 4.
Do the products have UL, IEEE or IEC certification?
These certifications
usually apply to the individual parts, rather than the
whole Solar Energy System. We recommend that your products
should have at least one of these certificcations (which
are independent measures of the integrity of the solar
module). |
| 5.
If you are limited for space to install your Solar System,
you should ask for either polycrystalline or monocrystalline
cell solar modules, since these technologies provide
the highest energy output for a given unit area. If
you have no space limitation, ask about options for
thin film solar modules. |
| 6.
Are there any solar programs available to reduce the
cost of my solar energy System? (and can you recommend
a financing scheme?) |
| 7.
What issues do I need to address with my present Utility?
(these will relate
to initial connection, safety and metering). |
Try
to have the following information prepared for the Solar
Sales Company:
| 1.
Either work out what you think your peak energy requirement
is in Watts or alternatively be ready to explain what
electricity using products you have. |
| 2.
Are you connected to the electricity grid and do you
want to remain connected? Do you want back up power
if the electricity grid goes down or do you not have
access to the electricity grid at all? |
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3. Have an idea where you want to site the solar modules.
Is the location free of shade and can the solar modules
face (roughly) south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or
north (in the Southern Hemisphere)? |
| 4.
Quantify the approximate area you have available for
the solar modules in square feet/meters. |
| 5.
If you plan on installing the solar modules on your
roof, be ready to describe the roof material and construction
type. |
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