What to ask before choosing a solar company
What Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Solar Company
Going solar is one of the best ways to take control of your energy costs, but choosing the right company matters just as much as the equipment itself. In an industry filled with aggressive sales tactics, knowing what to ask can protect you from poor installations, inflated pricing, or hidden service fees.
Below are key questions every homeowner should ask when evaluating potential solar providers, especially in states like Florida where insurance and permitting can add layers of complexity.
1. What is the price per watt?
Price per watt (PPW) is the most direct way to compare quotes. It standardizes total cost against the system size, letting you see whether you’re paying for quality or for markup. For residential projects, a fair range depends on system size, mounting type, and local permitting requirements.
2. Who manufactures the equipment?
Ask for the exact brand and model of the solar panels, inverters, and racking system. Quality manufacturers like Jinko, REC, Enphase, or SolarEdge have long-term warranties and proven performance histories.
3. What is the panel degradation rate over 25 years?
All panels slowly lose efficiency over time. A good panel should retain at least 85-90% of its original output after 25 years. This figure directly affects your return on investment and is important when weighing out your options
4. Is there a production guarantee?
Some installers offer a guaranteed production agreement ensuring the system meets projected output levels. If it underperforms, they compensate you for the shortfall.
5. Who holds the warranty if the company closes?
This is a critical question. The installer may provide a workmanship warranty, but you should confirm that manufacturer warranties for panels, inverters, and racking are properly registered and transferable.
6. Will the company file manufacturer warranty paperwork on your behalf?
This step often gets overlooked, but it is one of the most important details after installation. Every major solar component; panels, inverters, and racking systems has a manufacturer warranty that must be properly registered to activate coverage.
Some companies skip this process entirely or leave it to the homeowner, assuming the customer will take care of it later. The issue is that if the product isn’t registered, the warranty may never take effect, leaving you uncovered if something fails years down the line.
A reputable installer will:
• Register all product warranties directly with each manufacturer.
• Provide documentation confirming activation.
• Keep a copy of serial numbers, installation dates, and proof of purchase in their internal system.
• Explain what parts are covered and for how long.
This is a small administrative step that protects thousands of dollars in equipment. Always ask your installer to confirm in writing that they handle warranty registration.
7. Are service calls covered or is there a fee?
Some companies charge a ‘truck roll’ or site visit fee for maintenance or warranty claims. Ask how service requests are handled and what’s included in the base warranty.
8. Are the installers employees or subcontractors
This is one of the most vital questions you can ask, and is extremely important to understand prior to your project.
Many companies that present themselves as ‘solar installers’ are actually just sales organizations that outsource all labor. They sell systems, often at hiked rates, and then hand the work off to subcontractors they may never meet.
These companies typically lack engineering, permitting, or construction staff. Once the system is sold, the customer has no direct relationship with the people performing the work. That means almost zero accountability if something goes wrong.
Homeowners often discover this too late. Imagine having your system installed and then, a year later, needing service or a warranty claim. You reach out to the sales company, only to learn they no longer work with the crew that installed your system. The installer might not even exist anymore. You’re left with unanswered calls, delays, and no clear responsibility for your system’s performance.
In contrast, you have Solar EPC’s which stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction. A company like Advanced Renewable Concepts is a full-service EPC and manages every stage of your construction project in-house. The same team designs, engineers, and installs your system, ensuring consistent quality and compliance. When the installers are W-2 employees, they’re covered under the companies insurance and follow strict training and safety standards.
If you’re getting a quote from a company ask them directly:
• Do you have in-house electricians, engineers, and installers
• Are the people installing my system your employees or a third-party crew.
Or just ask them straight up if they are an EPC. This single question can tell you whether you’re working with a legitimate solar provider or just a sales broker.
9. Does the installer carry general liability insurance?
Always verify that the installation crew is covered under active general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. This protects both you and your property.
10. How long has the company been in business?
Let’s face it, solar can and has historically been a volatile industry. Over the last decade, hundreds of companies have entered the market, only to shut down, rebrand, or file for bankruptcy a few years later. Many of these businesses were structured around short-term sales goals instead of long-term customer support.
When that happens, customers are left stranded which means systems under warranty suddenly have no servicing company, paperwork disappears, calls go unanswered, and you have to search for a new company to service your system. It’s one of the biggest reasons the solar industry gets a bad reputation.
How long a company has been in business says a lot about its integrity and stability. Look for firms that have weathered market shifts, maintained consistent operations, and have verifiable local projects that have been performing for years.
You should also check:
• How long they’ve operated under the same name
• Whether they hold valid electrical and contracting licenses in your state
• If their leadership or ownership has been consistent
11. Can I speak to 5 local customers?
You can, of course, check reviews through websites like Google, BBB, Angi, or Yelp, but those only tell part of the story. A professional solar company should be able to show you examples of installations in your area with real addresses or neighborhoods where you can see the quality of their work with your own eyes.
Some customers may be open to sharing their experience, but privacy often limits how much contact information can be shared. What matters most is transparency. Ask the company for project photos, testimonials, or references from past clients who have agreed to provide feedback.
If they hesitate or can’t show any verified installations, that’s a big red flag. A credible installer will have a local track record and no issue proving it.
12. What financing options are available?
The right financing structure can make solar more accessible without compromising quality. Be sure to ask whether the company works with trusted lending partners, if they handle all paperwork and whether they can show you multiple options side-by-side.
Some companies only offer one financing model which will often be tied to a specific lender or sales quota. A reputable installer will explain every option clearly, including loans, leases, or power purchase agreements (PPAs), and show how each affects ownership, tax incentives, and long-term savings.
At ARC, we help customers find flexible financing options that fit their goals and budgets. Whether you want to own your system outright or explore payment plans, we walk you through the process so you can make an informed decision.
Bonus: What about ground-mounted systems?
For homeowners in Florida and similar regions where roof insurance is high, ground mounts are often the smarter choice. Ask if the company has in-house engineers and installers experienced with ground installations. Confirm they handle trenching, conduit runs, and post-driving (not ever solar company is equipped for this).
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, solar is a construction project. It involves real work on your property, electrical connections to your home, and a system that should operate safely for decades. Even if you choose a ground-mounted array, it still ties directly into your home’s electrical service which means you want qualified professionals who know what they are doing.
ARC isn’t a sales company that outsources work. We’re a full-service EPC company that handles each solar step in-house. Our engineers, electricians, and installers work as one team to deliver a system that’s designed to perform, built to last, and supported for the long run.
We don’t disappear after installation. We stay connected, monitor performance, and stand behind every system we build. That’s the difference between a company that sells solar and one that actually builds it.
Take control of your energy future with a partner you can trust.