LAST week’s article covered a few questions to ask when choosing a contractor to install a renewable energy system. Finding a contractor who is knowledgeable and trustworthy is imperative. Not only should you ask questions about your contractor but what your contractor will be offering. Educating yourself will avoid any unwanted experiences. Be sure your contractor takes the time to educate you on your new system.
Know your contract
Read the proposed contract and make sure it reflects what the contractor will do and will not do. The contract should state when the contractor will start, how long it will take for completion, and if the contractor performs a structural analysis. An analysis is pretty basic and does not cost a lot; most solar panels are well under the maximum allowable load for most roofs.
Do you need a building permit?
The answer is yes. “Yes” will protect you from an inadequate installation. An electrical permit and a structural review are necessary. You will also require a Guam Power Authority interconnection permit. Your contractor should be able to have these drawn up and get the necessary permits for you.
Installation
If solar panels are mounted on your roof, ask how the panel’s supports will be mounted and caulked to prevent leaks. The holes should not be drilled into the roof while the roof is wet. Check your ceiling after installation to verify the panels are bolted into load bearing structures such as the rafters, purlins, or trusses and not bolted into decorative sheathing. Verify the location of the inverters, the mechanism that converts the solar energy to usable power. The inverters should have adequate shade and good air flow to keep the inverter cool. If the inverter is mounted outside on a south-facing wall, a shade structure should be placed over it to reduce the high temperatures from direct sunlight, this will affect the life expectancy and efficiency of the inverter.
Ask for a shading analysis for your solar energy system. Too many times I have seen installations being placed where trees, walls or other buildings block the sun’s light. A qualified solar installer will have a shading analysis tool and give you the reports as part of the proposal.
Maintenance
Verify who will do the maintenance on the system; this should be spelled out in the contract. Typically, the panels should be cleaned at least twice a year.
Warranty
Most solar panels are usually warranted for 25 years or more and the inverters are typically warranted for 10 years. If your contractor offers an extended warranty on the inverts I highly recommend purchasing it; it will be well worth the money. Understand your warranty details and how to apply for a repair or replacement on all equipment. This should also be spelled out in the contract.
Know how much you are saving
Ask what percentage of your total power will your new installation will provide annually; the design of the system is just as important as the installation. ?To get an estimate review your last 12 months of consumption in and compare it to what the solar system will produce. Your contractor should be able to help you with this. If you do your research online, keep in mind that Guam is different than say Arizona or Hawaii due to the amount of sunlight we receive. A monitoring system can be added to monitor your system’s efficiency and output. For a residential system, a basic monitoring system will be able to verify what your system is producing. In a Power Purchasing Agreement, or a larger system, a more detailed revenue grade monitoring system will need to be installed.
Knowing your contractor, his/her past performance and understanding your contract are essential to a hassle free installation and an effective renewable energy system. Take your time and do your research in the end you will be very happy with the money saved and your new greener living.
Know your contract
Read the proposed contract and make sure it reflects what the contractor will do and will not do. The contract should state when the contractor will start, how long it will take for completion, and if the contractor performs a structural analysis. An analysis is pretty basic and does not cost a lot; most solar panels are well under the maximum allowable load for most roofs.
Do you need a building permit?
The answer is yes. “Yes” will protect you from an inadequate installation. An electrical permit and a structural review are necessary. You will also require a Guam Power Authority interconnection permit. Your contractor should be able to have these drawn up and get the necessary permits for you.
Installation
If solar panels are mounted on your roof, ask how the panel’s supports will be mounted and caulked to prevent leaks. The holes should not be drilled into the roof while the roof is wet. Check your ceiling after installation to verify the panels are bolted into load bearing structures such as the rafters, purlins, or trusses and not bolted into decorative sheathing. Verify the location of the inverters, the mechanism that converts the solar energy to usable power. The inverters should have adequate shade and good air flow to keep the inverter cool. If the inverter is mounted outside on a south-facing wall, a shade structure should be placed over it to reduce the high temperatures from direct sunlight, this will affect the life expectancy and efficiency of the inverter.
Ask for a shading analysis for your solar energy system. Too many times I have seen installations being placed where trees, walls or other buildings block the sun’s light. A qualified solar installer will have a shading analysis tool and give you the reports as part of the proposal.
Maintenance
Verify who will do the maintenance on the system; this should be spelled out in the contract. Typically, the panels should be cleaned at least twice a year.
Warranty
Most solar panels are usually warranted for 25 years or more and the inverters are typically warranted for 10 years. If your contractor offers an extended warranty on the inverts I highly recommend purchasing it; it will be well worth the money. Understand your warranty details and how to apply for a repair or replacement on all equipment. This should also be spelled out in the contract.
Know how much you are saving
Ask what percentage of your total power will your new installation will provide annually; the design of the system is just as important as the installation. ?To get an estimate review your last 12 months of consumption in and compare it to what the solar system will produce. Your contractor should be able to help you with this. If you do your research online, keep in mind that Guam is different than say Arizona or Hawaii due to the amount of sunlight we receive. A monitoring system can be added to monitor your system’s efficiency and output. For a residential system, a basic monitoring system will be able to verify what your system is producing. In a Power Purchasing Agreement, or a larger system, a more detailed revenue grade monitoring system will need to be installed.
Knowing your contractor, his/her past performance and understanding your contract are essential to a hassle free installation and an effective renewable energy system. Take your time and do your research in the end you will be very happy with the money saved and your new greener living.
Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.
For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.