5 Misconceptions About Utah Solar Systems

March 12, 2018 Utah Solar Systems

Avoid Misconceptions and Get the Best Utah Solar System

Don’t let Utah Solar misconceptions fool you. Being aware of the real value will save you money and provide a more rewarding solar experience.

5. All Utah Solar Warranties are Equal

Unfortunately, not everyone is there to help the customer. Not every panel has the same warranty coverage or length. Paying attention to your panel warranty wording is to your advantage.

Types of Solar Warranties

There are two panel manufacturer warranties: equipment and production warranties. Some installers also provide a workmanship warranty, though this is rare in Utah.

Solar Equipment or Materials Warranties

The manufacturer warranty standard for the solar industry is 10 years. There are, however, some manufacturers that provide 25 year extended warranty. This warranty covers manufacturing errors and durability problems.

Production Warranties

All electronics decline with age. You can’t get a system that produces the same amount of energy forever. You can, however, look for a panel that has a lower rate of decline per year.

A production warranty guarantees products will perform over a period of time. The best warranties promise at least 80 percent efficiency in the first 25 years.

Workmanship Warranty

You can acquire a workmanship warranty through your solar installer. These last between 1 to 10 years.

A good installation company will back their work (the design and installation of your system) with a good workmanship warranty. Choosing an installation company with NABCEP certified installers and a valid business license and insurance policy for your state will insure a quality installation.

4. A Utah Company That Promises Immediate ROI is Best

Expecting an immediate return on an investment replacing a lifelong bill is outrageous. Solar take a while to recoup the costs. The benefits, however, are immediate and financing makes it affordable.

The Best ROI Option for Solar

There are three main solar financing options available in the state of Utah. These include paying cash, loans, and leasing solar.

The Cash Return

When you purchase your solar array with cash, your installer will often give you a discount. You are also saving money by paying cash because you won’t owe interest.

Although technically cash returns are immediate, you have to take into consideration that your return is in savings. Calculating how much you would have spent on electricity over the life of your system is the best way to determine your expected ROI.

Solar Loan ROI

Getting solar through a loan is the next best option if you can’t afford to pay in cash. This option typically pays for itself in about seven years. And often it doesn’t require a down payment either. The rate and length of your loan compared to your electric bill determine your savings.

Taking a Look at Leased Solar

When you lease a solar system, you are still saving some money. This amount you are saving, however, is less than other solar options. This is because over time you actually end up paying more for your array than if you bought it.

3. DIY (do it yourself) Solar is a Good Option

When you compare the price of solar supplies to hiring a professional, the price is lower. When you pay for a solar company to install, however, you are paying for peace of mind.

Why Getting a Professional Is the Wiser Choice

Hiring a certified and well-versed professional will save you time and irritation. Because solar deals with wiring it should not be a DIY project unless you are a master electrician. Watching a couple YouTube videos is not enough to prepare/qualify you for this type of project.

Determining your System Size

When you hire a professional, they make sure your system offsets most or all your electricity. This requires more than knowing the number of panels you need. The placement and angle of your panels and how best to connect them is also evaluated.

Take Care of Paperwork

Getting a full-service professional means that you won’t have to worry about any of the paperwork. Full-service solar companies help with a variety of services that need completed and approved paperwork in order to proceed. These include financing, permitting, new metering agreements and filling out tax credit forms.

Getting the Installation Done Quick

Using a full service installation team ensures a correct installation the first time. A professional solar install crew will also get the job done in a fraction of the time.

Warranty the Work with an Installer

If you hire a solar installation company you also don’t have to worry about maintenance. All you have to do is make a quick call and the installation crew will take care of it for you.

2. Leasing is More Cost-effective than Buying

Although when you lease a system you do save money, it isn’t as cost effective as buying solar.

Leasing a Utah Array

When you lease a system, you don’t own it. You are paying monthly to use the energy that is being produced by a system that isn’t yours. Many choose this option because the payments are lower than their current bill.

The truth, however, is that you end up paying more in the long run when you lease compared to buying a system. It is the same when you lease or buy a home, or anything else. Purchasing is always the more cost-effective solution.

Buying your Utah Solar

One of the benefits to buy a system is that, after paid off, you no longer have any payments. A shorter loan term or paying in cash will increase the amount of time you are able to enjoy not having a power bill.

When you buy your system you can also sell it with your home, which increases the value of the home. You also have the option to take your panels with you. Purchasing solar through a full-service company will ensure hassle free temporary panel removal.

1. Cheaper Is Better

Cheaper is better if you want to spend as little as possible up-front. However, solar is about return on investment, not up-front costs. That’s why a quality product is actually more beneficial. Taking the time to get to know what to look for in a solar panel will help you find your best option.

Manufacture Pollution Management

Some manufacturing companies cut back on their panel prices by taking dangerous shortcuts at the crossroads of environmental care and profit margin. These have a huge effect on their local environment and decrease the productivity of their panels.

Organizations like Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition have tried to increase awareness and manufacturer involvement. They have done this through their solar scorecard. since 2009, scorecards have been rating panel manufacture pollution level. This, however, is volunteer-based and not inclusive of all panel manufactures.

Panel Type Makes a Difference

What type of panel you get can also make a huge difference in the price of your system. Typically thin-film panels are a lot cheaper than mono and poly-crystalline panels.

The problem is that thin-film panels are also less efficient. Meaning you need more of them to generate the same amount of energy.

A system with mono-crystalline panels will allow you to get the most production. Although all panel modules receive testing mono-crystalline continues to out perform the rest.

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