More and more Arizona homeowners are going solar. Getting started can be overwhelming but the best way to get the most out of your solar system is to find a reputable and reliable solar company and a solar consultant you trust.
We believe that the best customers are educated customers. We want you to fully understand your investment – even though we handle all of the heavy lifting.
So how can you be a well-informed, solar-smart homeowner? Here’s a guide to preparing for your solar consultation.
Identify the Why
Why are you thinking about going solar? Homeowners go solar for a variety of reasons, but for everyone, it’s an investment. Whether your goals are financial, environmental, independence or security, you want it done correctly to maximize the return on your investment in solar.
For your solar consultant to best help you get the most out of your solar system, they’ll want to understand your goals. Is it savings? Reducing your carbon footprint? Is it breaking free of the utility? Or is it to keep your family safe in the event of a power outage? Don’t get us wrong, you can do all of these things but understanding the reasons that are most important to you will help us best design a system for you.
When meeting a solar sales consultant, this is the first thing they should ask. Be cautious of a solar consultant who doesn’t – it means they are trying to sell you a one-size-fits-all system, or worse, a system that’s best for their compensation! Either way, that could mean designing the wrong system for your home.
Our consultants at Sunny Energy walk you through the process. In order to help you achieve your goals, we will design a system that’s just the right size for you. Remember, undersizing a system won’t help you achieve your goals very well, and oversizing a system could be costly and not give a good return on your investment.
Don’t be fooled by a sales pitch that promises you will have a zero utility bill with solar – there is a very high cost to that! One of the major misconceptions about solar is that it will eliminate your utility bill. That’s possible to do, but it means you need a solar system that’s greatly oversized, with the increased size and cost-reducing or eliminating your return on investment. Some homeowners feel that it’s worth it, but most end up understanding that a very large reduction in their utility bill while enjoying a very good return on their investment, is best for them.
We’re dedicated to understanding your specific needs. With that, we have some questions that you can prepare so your meeting will be like a walk in a sunny park:
- What are your main priorities for a home solar system: savings, home value, independence from your utility company, security for your family, or decreasing your carbon footprint?
- How much does your energy bill cost? Providing accurate billing for at least twelve months gives us a clear insight into how much your home consumes on a regular basis.
- Do you have a roof warranty?
- Do you have a concern about where your system should be or how it looks?
- Do you have a budget in mind?
- Do you pay taxes each year? (There are tax credits available)
- Are you interested in financing or leasing options?
- How much of your energy or utility bill do you want to offset with solar?
- Do you have a particular interest in any brands for solar equipment?
- What’s the most important thing to you when making a large purchase?
Avoiding Suspicious Sales Tactics
Like always, if it “sounds too good to be true”, it probably is. The same is true when talking with solar sales consultants. Doing your own homework will help you make the best decision for yourself and your family. Keep in mind the reputation of the company too – if they have a lot of bad reviews and complaints online, consider that in your decision.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask your consultant; if they’re good, they should be able to give you definitive, solid answers, and make sure that you understood them. Plus, if they don’t know the answer, they have a wealth of knowledge just a phone call away, to the staff, engineers, and owners at Sunny Energy.
Understanding Limits and Estimates of Solar
Now that you know how to prepare and what to expect from your solar consultant, here are some things to watch out for.
Shady solar sales consultants or false claim advertisements say that solar energy is free. It is not. With the savings, it can feel free. At Sunny Energy, we believe in transparency, which means making our clients understand the limits of what solar power can offer as well as realistic estimates of what it can do for you.
While solar power is not free, a system can pay for itself over time. It can pay for itself through savings on electricity bills throughout the years it is in operation. It can even pay for itself many times over its operational life. These savings are what lead many to use the misleading statement that solar is free.
While a solar consultant can provide you estimates on savings, remember these estimates are just that – estimates. They are based on your current energy use so if that changes dramatically, you’ll see a change in your savings. Make sure your solar consultant is taking into consideration future energy use, future increases in utility costs, and any other factors unique to your situation.
A Sunny Read-to-Know Basis
To know more about Sunny Energy’s take on what every homeowner planning to shift to solar energy should know, download our e-book, The Homeowner’s Guide to Solar. We believe that reading relevant information about solar power is critical to a successful project.
Sunny Energy hires only the best consultants for our clients. We make sure that homeowners have a good understanding of the steps of installing a home solar system, the costs, and the savings. We believe that a good solar sales consultant should help our clients understand the benefits of solar and the design that best benefits them.
When you’re ready, you can speak to one of our reliable solar sales consultants at 480-536-8700 or you can read up all about us on our website at https://sunnyenergysolar.com!
Not quite ready to talk to our solar consultants? You can also get a very good idea, designed specifically for you, of how much solar costs, financing for it, and how much money you can save, with our online solar quote app It’s free, very informative, and nobody will bother you until you’re ready!
