PV -Magazine Prepares a guide for Zonne -Zonne installations, aimed at those interested in installation but are new to the market and want to make an informed decision. We have spoken with associations, installers and industrial specialists in large solar markets around the world to put together the best practical guidance and advice that apply to home institutions for home and everywhere in the world.
Following the latest article in the series, where market leaders gave advice about the best ways to search for an installation program and to verify all the information you find, the third article deals with information with an installation program and what to expect from an offer.
Share information with a solar installation program
Most sources agreed that the first contact with an installation program is usually made online. Although homeowners can often e -mail e -mail as a first point of contact, it is worth checking whether the company has an application form on its website. Some may even have a quotation calculator, so that customers can get an idea of how much the installation can cost before they make the first contact.
Some experts have also pointed out that most companies will still like to talk to potential customers about their services over the phone. In the meantime, Representatives of the Chinese residential solar market told PV -Magazine It is best to communicate face-to-face.
Before you make contact, it is important to have an idea of the information installers, the homeowner must be able to give an informed idea of the service they can offer. Cecilia Bergamasco by Italia Solare emphasized the importance of providing precise information from the start to obtain a realistic quote.
Jacopo PiccagaliProject and policy officer at Solarpower Europe“ Said that homeowners have to expect at least to share details about size and orientation on the roof, as well as the building height. Different sources Added that homeowners must also indicate their annual energy consumption and electricity use patterns, such as when the consumption is highest, as well as details of devices that must be covered by the sun installation. Joshua Buswell-CharkowDeputy director of the California Solar & Storage Association“ emphasized the need to ensure that the contractor is aware of the condition of the roof and to share details about potential shadow that can influence the solar production of the system.
Sinethemba MnguniJunior Technical Specialist at South Africa’s SapviaAdvised homeowners who interpret communication “minimize risks and ensure an accurate system design”. Carsten KörnigCEO of Germany BSW Solar Agree, also saying that after the first contact is made, installers will probably discuss a site visit. “Thorough providers ask for the necessary individual data and information during an inspection on site and then submit a binding offer,” he explained.
PV -Magazine asked her experts if there are privacy problems that must be taken into account when sharing information with solar installers. Although most agreed that there is few risks in sharing information with companies, various advised to ensure that the company follows its data requirements correctly. “Homeowners must ensure that the installation program adheres to the correct data protection practices and not share personal information without their permission,” emphasized Ahmad Taha Chief Marketing Officer of Tanzania’s AG -ENERGIES.
Ahmed Ashraf, Haala EnergyS Business Development Lead” also presented To prevent the sharing of personal financial data in advance and to ensure that the installation program has a data protection policy.
Insight into an installation offer
As soon as a homeowner has sent the required information to an installation program, the company will return with an offer. PV -Magazine Early experts to split the most important components of a standard offer to help homeowners understand whether it offers everything they need.
Bergassamo said that a reliable installation program should offer a full service, from design phase to maintenance after installation, starting with an initial site inspection to assess the feasibility of the system and an adapted design based on the specific needs of the homeowner. “It is important that the installation program also handles the administrative and stimulation -related paperwork, such as tax deduction or government financing programs,” Bergassamo added.
MNGUNI Added that the End-to-end installation services package must cover, including purchasing equipment, professional installation by qualified technicians and full commissioning of the system to ensure that it works both efficiently and safely. The homeowner must then be provided with detailed test reports that verify the performance of the system and compliance with industrial standards. MNGUNI Also suggested that an installation company should train homeowners in general system settings, monitoring tools and emergency procedures. “This enables homeowners to effectively operate the system and to respond to any safety problems,” He explained.
A spokesman For the accreditation service based in the UK MCS certified Recommended to check whether the offer requires the work of other contractors, such as electricians or plumbers, to perform tasks, such as removing old gas boilers or other technology.
The installation process must also contain the correct grid connection to be in accordance with regulatory standards in the homeowner’s area. Héctor de LamaTechnical director at Spain’s UNEF“ Explained that, depending on the location, the distribution system operator, also known as the entity responsible for distributing and managing energy from the generation sources to the final consumers, may require a permit for the solar installation.
The lama Continued on advising that these permits are usually included in an offer. “Moreover, some installers also work as energy suppliers and can offer more complex services, including a guaranteed price for the exported energy and a guaranteed price for the consumed energy,” he also said. “This gives the homeowner a good visibility/predictability of the profitability of the installation. Some installers also offer financing services, so that the prior costs of the installation are much lower for the homeowner in exchange for paying a monthly fee.”
Some installers offer a full-service package, which in theory should treat all aspects of the installation. However, homeowners are still advised to ask for a breakdown of what is covered, if it is not automatically provided, to ensure that the offer is completed. Taha A full-service package added often includes constant maintenance and monitoring, which he said can be useful to ensure that the system continues to perform optimally.
Körnig Also pointed out that even when it is offered a full-service package, it is important to compare offers and ask questions “because it is not always clear which work is covered”. In an earlier article in series, Different sources suggested getting quotes of at least three different installers as one of their top tips when selecting an installation program.
In the last part of this series about choosing the right solar installer, PV -Magazine Will cover the installation process itself and give guidelines on guarantees. The previous article in this series offered guidelines for finding and verifying information regarding a solar installation program.
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