Switching to solar power has many proven benefits for businesses, including lower monthly energy bills and greater sustainability, which helps commercial installations maintain regulatory compliance in Maryland. Despite these benefits, choosing among multiple solar companies can be challenging because the services, experience level, reputation, materials, costs, warranties, and long-term support vary widely among providers.
Business owners and facility managers must carefully select qualified and reliable solar installers to secure high-quality services and to partner with local, experienced, and adequately insured companies.
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We’ll review a list of essential questions for business owners and managers to ask potential solar installers to make sure their investment in solar energy is protected. This list will also review what managers can do to make the transition to solar more seamless by adequately preparing for their site assessment.
What is your experience with similar projects?
Other Options: How many commercial solar projects have you completed? Which industries have you worked in?
These questions are examples that business owners can use to gauge the experience level of their potential solar companies. Different industries, building orientations, and business sizes warrant different installation strategies. The goal of this line of questioning is to assess whether the installer has worked successfully for similar businesses and can therefore bring their expertise to your project.
Follow-up Questions
In facilities with complex or non-standard roof orientations, consider a follow-up question such as, “Do you have any experience with roofs of this type?” Additionally, managers should ask for case studies (“Can you provide references?”) to assess this experience directly.
When was your business established?
Other Options: Are your teams local to Maryland? How long have you been certified?
The representatives of solar installation teams should be forthcoming about their company’s experience level, including how long they have been operating and whether their teams operate exclusively in Maryland. The goal of these questions is to establish the business’s honesty regarding its experience and to identify solar companies in Maryland that are familiar with local permit requirements and commercial installation procedures.
Follow-up Questions
Managers and owners should look more closely at their potential installers’ online reputation. While the business’s self-assessment of its experience level is important to know, online reviews and client testimonials will help establish a more honest context for its past success.
How much can my company save by upgrading to solar?
Other Options: What is the estimated break-even timeline? What will the installation cost?
Cost-related questions contextualize the project’s ROI, including the upfront cost and the time it will take for the business to break even. Different types of solar panel systems vary in price, so business owners should ask for a clear breakdown of the differences and compare the costs to their energy goals.
Follow-up Questions
Once owners know the basic cost of the system, they should ask about the available financing options, including leases, loans, cash rates, and power purchase agreements. Additionally, there will be fees beyond the upfront installation cost, such as inspection permits and utility connection fees. Ask a follow-up question such as, “Can you provide a breakdown of all possible fees so I know the final price of the project, including the inspection and installation?”
What certifications do you hold?
Other Options: Do you subcontract parts of the installation? What licensed staff will be on-site to verify the installation’s compliance?
Industry certifications such as NABCEP demonstrate that a solar company is committed to providing regulated, industry-compliant services to commercial clients. Owners should also know whether any part of the installation will be subcontracted or if the business has their own network of electricians and installers, since their certifications should also be checked. These questions help business owners establish the solar company’s ability to maintain compliance with Maryland’s energy laws.
Follow-up Questions
As part of the subcontracting questioning, owners can ask how the business sources its panels, batteries, and inverters to make sure the installation meets quality standards and compares with other providers.
What type of solar system do you recommend for my business?
This question allows owners to compare different solar installers based on their recommendations for system design. This should include a description of the optimal system size, along with any plans for future expansions. Experienced solar companies can recommend panel types, battery sizes, and inverter types based on the business’s layout, energy goals, and requirements.
Follow-up Questions
Business owners should learn as much as they can about the installer’s plans for their facility’s specific layout. This can include asking, “Will the new installation require any structural changes?”, which is especially important for businesses in older buildings. Another follow-up question could be, “Can you provide a shading plan and analysis?” so that owners can see if the company can accurately model seasonal shading changes and plan around them.
What warranties do you offer?
Other Options: Do you provide any satisfaction assurances? Is the warranty transferable?
Business owners should know the solar installer’s warranty process before signing with them, including whether the warranty is transferable to another owner, such as in the event of the business’s sale. Solar companies that offer service and material warranties demonstrate confidence in their services.
Follow-up Questions
Further questions should focus on whether the provider offers long-term support, such as maintenance, efficiency checks, and system updates. When businesses invest in a solar array, they should seek more than a one-time service provider. The best companies become partners in their long-term energy requirements and financial goals.
Contact Us With Any Questions About Your Business’s New Solar Installation
At Energy Select, we provide financial and environmental energy strategies to businesses throughout Maryland. Our experienced solar energy team conducts accurate energy analyses and on-site assessments to determine the best system for your business’s infrastructure and long-term energy goals. We provide instant cost estimates, including financing options, to make sure business owners can always make informed, confident decisions about their solar investments and maximize their long-term returns.
Contact our team today to ask questions and learn how to maximize the impact of solar energy on your business with an array customized to meet your goals.