Solar News & Information

What Local Solar Installers Provide

July 2, 2017

People in Massachusetts considering a solar energy system investment to offset some or all of their electricity costs soon realize there are a lot of things to consider. Some may choose to do independent research. Others may choose to first locate a contractor or two for advice. This is common and practical no matter what your home improvement may be. But as solar power has become more affordable, competition has stiffened. And many consumer advocates are suggesting that homeowners are best served by first finding and consulting an installer they feel they can trust.

Reputable Solar Installers

It may be intimidating to some to start a search using terms like “solar energy” or “solar photovoltaics”. And to be sure, those words cover a lot of ground with respect to the technology behind the products. For starters, there are multiple components, including a solar panel, a solar inverter, or some other safety equipment like an automatic disconnect. There are also long lists of rules, regulations, and best practices that are implied or mandated every time a solar energy system is designed. It only makes sense to reach out to professional installers to more quickly get informed. And this is where the separation of solar installation partners often begins.

Bigger is Not Always Better

Although cliche, this is true for solar. And the biggest installers don’t always score the highest or maintain top reputations. In fact, some face national scrutiny at times. Installers may frequently change suppliers or product manufacturers, without necessarily informing their customers. Others, like SunRa Solar, Inc., chose to work with limited suppliers in an effort to establish robust and long term relationships for both price and quality. In our opinion, reputable solar installers should strive to do the following:

Stay current with advances in solar technology. An installer doesn't necessarily need to know what is happening at the research and development level. But we best serve customers by knowing what improvements have been made that deliver better performance AND value. Just being newer and more expensive is not always best.
Keep in touch with local and national regulations. Codes, rules, and requirements change at every level. In some cities and towns, rules have been improved and optimized to make going solar easier. Permitting can be quick and efficient. Not every town is the same.
Learn from experience. The longer we have been in practice, the more we learn. Installers should constantly refine practices from design to the smallest details during installation. The goal will always be to deliver the highest performance at the best value. And after years of serving the area, we still find ways to do the job better.

A reputable solar installer does not necessarily do more work or know more than another installer. However, a local company must build upon reputation. Solar energy systems must be reliable and productive. Business practices must ensure that the product and workmanship are always approaching the highest quality possible. Local companies like SunRa Solar rely more on the satisfaction of each customer. Where larger regional or national solar installers might tolerate unhappy customers by simply selling more, a more focused and reputable firm will more often do what is in the best interest of each customer. Nothing or no one promotes a company better than its customers.

Contact Us with questions or to see exactly how solar power will work for YOUR home, saving you thousands. It’s a free evaluation with absolutely no obligation.