Mixing NV Energy Policy with Go Solar Group

NV Energy has a solar panel question list for those interested in going solar. Although it provides a good starting point, this tool doesn’t answer all the questions you may have about the following items about going solar in Reno. One potential setback with NV Energy‘s list of questions is the references to getting a contractor. Many solar companies hire contractors to install the systems that they sell.

Nevada Solar Contractors

When you get your solar PV (photovoltaic) system installed, the crew who completes the installation plays a big role in the overall level of service and quality you receive on the solar install. One of the first questions you should ask a Reno solar company is to whom they contract their work (if they aren’t a full-service Reno solar installer). 

Contracted solar installation in the Silver State is not covered by your solar company’s insurance policy. If you decide to use a contractor, you will want to make sure they have their own insurance coverage for damage done to the solar equipment or panels themselves. 

Another main concern with using a solar contractor is manifested by posing the following question: Who will remove your panels if the need arises? What if you move homes? If you go with the right Nevada solar installer and purchased the system with cash or are okay with leaving financing as is, you’ll likely be enjoying the production of the panels so much that you won’t feel comfortable leaving the panels behind to jack up the sale price on your home.

Most Nevadans don’t plan to take their solar panels off their roofs, but you will want to find out who you can contact in case you need said service. 

Full-Service Installer

When you choose to work with a full-service company you are choosing security. This is because a full-service company doesn’t install a solar system and leave. They are there to take care of you for years to come.

One of the most stressful parts of any project is the paperwork. Full-service companies take care of everything from permitting and tax credits to net metering. They do all the leg work and give it to you to review and sign.

A full-service company does their own installs and maintenance. You can expect to see the same trusted faces throughout your solar experience.

Questions for Leasing vs. Buying a System

Leasing hands the ownership of the solar panels to the solar company itself. This means that you miss out on the benefits of owning a solar array. You should ask yourself leasing vs buying questions before you decide on a solar company.

Leasing Questions

There are a couple of reasons why people lean toward leasing their solar panels. Most either don’t plan on living in their home for very long or don’t want to deal with maintenance in the rare event it is needed.

Leasing allows you to save in comparison to your power company. This is great for people that want to see an immediate decrease in their power bill with no up-front costs. You are, however, forfeiting your ROI and tax credit options to the solar company when you enter a power purchase agreement. 

If you are considering leasing solar panels,  these are the most important questions to ponder:

1. Will the system be removed at the end of the lease?

2. Are their other ongoing costs outside of your monthly solar bill?

3. What happens if you sell your house?

4. Who handles maintenance, and are their costs associated with it?

5. Can you buy the system before the end of the lease term if desired?

The answers to these questions will vary with each company so make sure and compare their answers.

Buying Questions

Buying your solar array is better than leasing your solar cells because it gives you more financial control over your future, and a greater degree of predictability, which means solar is not just a great way for citizens of Nevada to show they care about the renewable energy portfolio standard, but also their own financial portfolios, too. With the purchase of rooftop solar, there is a foreseeable future with no payments.

If you decide down the road you don’t want to live in your current home, you have options. You can sell the solar panels with the home or move them into your new home.

You also save even more money long term when you buy your solar panels. This is because you’re purchasing the machine, not the power generated from it. The power generated is all yours.

There are a couple of questions to ask Reno solar companies that offer buying options.

1. What are the financing options?

2. Can I pay off my loan early without penalties?

3. What type of Return on investment can I expect?

4. If I need to move my solar panels, are there company services there to help me?

Go Solar Group’s Answers to Buying Questions

Go Solar Group only offers buying options to their customers. You can either pay for your system in cash, or you can get a loan. Go Solar Group has a third party financing company with whom they work to provide you the best options.

We encourage you to pay off your loan early if you can. You will save money on the interest rate and there are no fines.

If you would like to know what your ROI would be for your solar project, you can fill out a digital solar survey for your home or business. An in-person appointment will be set to go over your project ROI costs and financing options.

Go Solar Group is a full-service company. We can remove and reinstall our customer’s systems at the cost of labor, which is worth the switch unless you are within several months of paying off your loan. If you decide to move to a new home in our service area, we can reinstall your solar system on to your new home.

Pre and Post Installation Q&A

The best time to ask your questions is during an in-person meeting with the solar consultant. Asking all your questions at this meeting will help you to better decide if the company is a good fit for you.

Important Pre Install Questions

1. How long have you been in business?

The longer the company has been in business, the better. This will mean that they have proven they can withstand the test of time and have experience in the field. Go Solar Group has been in existence since 2009.

2. Is your company NABCEP certified?

This certification gives companies additional credentials as an installer. They have state certification, OSHA 10 certification, OSHA 30 certification, and NABCEP training.

3. Is the company licensed and insured in my state?

Go Solar Group has licenses to install in Utah and the Reno metropolitan area of Nevada. We are also insured for one million dollars.

4. What module and inverter manufacturers do you use?

Go Solar Group uses Axitec monocrystalline modules, which are German-engineered. We also offer LG, Silfab and Solaria premium module options.

We use  Solar Edge inverters. Solar Edge inverters are string inverters with power optimizers, which make them ideal for homes with shading issues. 

Post Installation Questions to Which You Will Want the Answer

1. Do you contract your work? If so, to whom?

Post-installation concerns may need to be handled by the contractor who actually installed the solar system. Finding out who is going to do your installation will save you time and hassle. Go Solar Group doesn’t contract their installations.

2. Do you maintenance your installs? If not, who do I call to get my system fixed?

If something happens to your system or it isn’t producing as expected, you want to make sure it will be an easy fix. Go Solar Group maintains all of the solar systems that they install.

3. Do you have a referral program?

If you like your installation you will want to share with your solar savvy friends and family. Go Solar Group has referral programs for both their satisfied customers and those that like sharing a good bargain.