Getting multiple quotes? We encourage you to do as much research as possible when investing in your new solar electric system. Here are some questions to ask when talking with other contractors, along with our answers. We invite you to download our “Questions for Solar Contractors” worksheet, to help you along the way.
About The Company
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many years has your company been installing solar? | 12+ years |
| Are you a pre-certified contractor with our utility? (Note not all utilities have this program.) | Yes |
| Is there a list of references we can speak with who have installed the specific products you are proposing? | Yes |
| Does your team have any additional solar certifications such as NABCEP or product-specific certifications? | Yes |
| Does your company specialize in solar installations or are you a broader electrical contractor? | We are a licensed Electrical Contractor that only installs Solar Electric/Clean Energy Systems |
| What is your company warranty for the installation of the system and the connections to the roof? | 10 years |
System Design
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What racking manufacturer are you proposing for my site? | Racking Varies by Site |
| Where is it manufactured? | United States |
| How does the racking interface with my roof? What vapor barriers exist to prevent leakage? | Triple vapor barrier with all metal flashing |
| Has your installer designed the system to achieve less than a 1.20 DC to AC Ratio to prevent inverter clipping? | Yes |
| What tools/methods do you use for estimating solar production? | Onsite shade analysis and site condition measurements that interface with 30+ years of solar data. |
| What is the expected variation from the estimated production? | Site Specific. Our systems typically perform between 1-4% higher than expectations. |
Permitting
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Apart from the electrical permit, is there a structural/building permit required for my project? | Varies based on jurisdiction |
| Is there a current pre-engineered WA wet stamp on the racking that will be used for this project? | Yes |
| Will you comply with WA Fire Code 605.11.3.2 setback requirements? | Yes |
| Will you comply with international plumbing code which informs height restrictions and clearance requirements of roof vents and solar panels? | Yes |
Other Conditions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What specific additional fees could there be that are not included in the proposal? | The cost of a Solar Production Meter will be billed to the customer by their serving utility on the first bill after the solar production meter has been installed by the utility, at a cost of $120 (Seattle City Light) to $83.00 (PSE) for standard grid-tied or $425 (PSE) for grid-tied/battery back-up systems. The cost for Snohomish PUD customers is included in their Western Solar contract. |
