Solar is a 25-year investment. The installer you choose affects your system's performance, warranties, and resale value for decades.
Typical Cost Range
$18,000–$32,000 for a 6kW residential system before incentives; federal tax credit (ITC) is currently 30%; net cost after incentive: $12,600–$22,400. Payback period: 7–12 years
Licensing Requirement
Solar installers must hold an electrical contractor license (since PV involves high-voltage electrical work). NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification is the industry gold standard. Verify both the electrical license and NABCEP credentials.
Solar installers design and install photovoltaic (PV) panel systems, battery storage, solar water heating, and EV charging integration. Solar installation requires multiple permits (building, electrical, and utility interconnection agreements) and post-installation inspections. The industry has seen a surge in companies that sell aggressively, install quickly, and disappear before warranty claims arise. Choosing a stable, well-reviewed local or national installer is critical for a 25-year investment.
Cannot clearly explain the utility interconnection process in your state
Can't show a licensed electrician performing or overseeing the installation
Pressure to sign today due to 'incentive deadlines' — the federal ITC is available year-round
Refuses to provide quotes from multiple equipment manufacturers
Production estimates that seem unrealistically high — verify with NREL's PVWatts calculator
Finances the system in a way that makes it difficult to sell your home (PPA or PACE loans with complex transfer requirements)
No NABCEP certification or verifiable licensing credentials for key installers
NABCEP-certified installers performing or supervising the installation
Manages the full permit and utility interconnection process
Uses Tier 1 panels (LG, SunPower, REC, Panasonic, Qcells) and reputable inverters (Enphase, SMA, SolarEdge)
Provides a detailed production estimate based on real shading analysis — not a generic formula
Has been in business locally for 5+ years with verifiable reviews from local customers
Offers a workmanship warranty of 10+ years separate from equipment warranties
Are you a licensed electrical contractor in this state? License number?
Are your installers NABCEP certified?
Who manufactures your panels and inverters, and what are their warranties?
Will you handle all permits — building, electrical, and utility interconnection?
How long have you been installing solar in this area?
What is the production guarantee on my system, and what happens if it underperforms?
Who do I call for warranty service — you or the manufacturer?
Is battery storage available, and does it make sense for my situation?
How do you calculate my energy production estimate?
Understand your energy usage first
Pull 12 months of utility bills to understand your annual kWh usage. This determines system size. A 6kW system produces approximately 7,200–9,000 kWh/year in most U.S. locations.
Get 3 quotes with identical assumptions
Compare quotes on the same system size, same brand tier, and same financing structure. Don't compare a 6kW cash purchase quote with an 8kW financed lease — they're not comparable.
Research installers' track record
Search the company name plus 'reviews' and 'complaint.' Look at NABCEP's installer finder, the SEIA member directory, and BBB. A company with mostly 5-star reviews except for 1-star post-installation service reviews is a warning sign.
Evaluate equipment quality
Panels: Tier 1 manufacturers (LG, REC, SunPower, Qcells, Panasonic) are more reliable than budget brands. Inverters: Enphase microinverters and SolarEdge string inverters with optimizers are the two dominant reliable choices for residential.
Understand the interconnection timeline
After installation, utility interconnection can take 2–12 weeks depending on your utility. During this time, the system cannot operate. Confirm the timeline with your installer and your utility before signing.
How much does solar actually save?
Average savings: $1,000–$2,000 per year depending on system size, local utility rates, and net metering policy. Over 25 years: $25,000–$50,000 in avoided electricity costs. Payback period: 7–12 years. High-rate states (California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New York) see the fastest payback.
What is net metering?
Net metering allows you to export excess solar power to the grid and receive a credit on your utility bill. Net metering policies vary significantly by state and utility. States like California (NEM 3.0) have reduced net metering compensation. Your installer should explain your specific utility's current policy.
Should I add battery storage?
Battery storage (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, Franklin WHole Home) makes sense if: you live in a state with poor net metering, you have frequent grid outages, or you want backup power. Battery storage adds $10,000–$20,000 to the project cost and extends payback by 3–5 years in most markets.
What warranties should I receive?
You should receive: panel product warranty (25–30 years), panel performance warranty (degradation guarantee, typically 80%+ at 25 years), inverter warranty (10–25 years), and installer workmanship warranty (10+ years). Read all warranty documents — not all performance guarantees are equal.
Verified, licensed solar installers across the US — select your city:
Request estimates for your project, then review each solar installer's credentials, experience, references, and written terms before hiring. Availability and credential status vary by profile.
Find Verified Solar Installers Near You