Here’s some honest questions for you to ask yourself. Do you research products and companies before you buy? For example, when you go to the hardware store, do you inspect the quality of the product you are going to buy against the other products on the shelf? Do you look for value or the cheapest price? Or is it a combination of the two: the best price for what you are buying, even if it isn’t the lowest price?

When you’re looking to invest in solar for your home, it should be no different than buying a shovel at a hardware store. It takes careful consideration and research to ensure you are getting the best PV system for the right price because you are investing in your future of self-sufficiency. At Sandbox+ Solar, we are here to guide you through every step to ensure you are getting the most value for your money. As the best solar installers in Northern Colorado, we are dedicated to being your local partners that truly care about what’s best for you!

There are hundreds of different solar panel manufacturers globally and equally as many inverter manufacturers. The amount of information people need to sort through and understand can be overwhelming if you aren’t familiar with the nuances of the solar industry. Good news is you have come to the right place! Since 2015, our team at Sandbox+ Solar have been installing residential solar panels and inverters, selling solar, and managing projects across Front Range communities. Keep reading to learn some tips on what to look for when it comes to PV system installations.

When it comes to a solar installation investment, you want it to last. You want the panels and inverter to last long enough for you to recoup your investment, right? Because the longer your PV system produces energy past your breakeven point is money you save. That is cold hard cash you don’t have to pay to the utility company and you can do something you actually enjoy with the money you are saving! Maybe you want a reason to convince your partner you should buy that new mountain bike… Don’t worry, our solar installers have your back!

Most solar panels can have a 25 year warranty which is good because you want your PV system to last for 25-30 years on your roof. What most manufacturers don’t point out is: what does that warranty actually cover? When you’re shopping for solar panels, ask for the warranty and actually read it. We know this is something your dad would enjoy but when making a long term investment, we can assure you it’s important.

What you will find when diving into these warranties is two main types of coverage. One is an equipment warranty and the other is a performance warranty. The equipment warranty will cover the solar panels from any manufacturer defects in the product. The performance warranty will cover the energy output of the panels. These will usually be a 10-25 year warranty depending on the manufacturer. This brings up a huge thing to look for when considering your PV system investment: the solar degradation rate of the panel.

Like anything else you put in the sun, over time the solar rays will degrade it. Solar panels are no different. You don’t want a solar panel system that loses its efficiency quickly. You want to invest in a system that has a longer lifespan where you lose efficiency slowly over time. Some solar panels will lose efficiency much faster than other panels and it will make a big difference over 25 years. Make sure you ask our solar installers in Northern Colorado about this.

Not all solar panels are made the same. If you are looking into two systems that are both 320 watt panels, they might not be the same at the end of year 10. You want these panels to age like fine wine, not like some people when they hit 40. Also, make sure the manufacturer of the solar panel has been around for awhile and is backed by a reputable company. This will matter if there is ever an issue down the road.

The next piece of equipment to review is the inverter. The inverter’s job is to take the direct currency (DC) from the solar panel and invert it to an alternating current (AC) that your house runs on. The panel inverter is a crucial part of the PV system and should not be overlooked, like what some of us did when picking teams during gym class in the 5th grade. You want to choose a system that will last for a long time and won’t require costly maintenance.

The things to look for here are the length of the warranty and what it covers. Typically, the warranty period is 10-25 years. There are also different types of inverters. You have central inverters where all the panels string together in a series and invert at one central point or micro inverters that go under each panel on the roof. The micro inverters typically have a 25 year warranty and do better with some shade conditions you might encounter on most residential roofs.

Make sure you take a long hard look at who you are going to hire to install your residential solar panels. Just like the equipment, not all solar contractors are the same. There is an incredible amount of knowledge required to design and install a PV system that will last over 25 years on your roof. Make sure you hire a local solar company who has been around for at least 10 years, and don’t feel bad about asking for references. We have seen many companies come and go over the years and it’s important you choose a dedicated company to install your investment who will be around in the future, like Sandbox+ Solar. Our solar installers will take the time to run conduits and place equipment that will look good when neighbors drive by.