Welcome to our series answering reader questions and concerns about how to cut the utility-company cord.
Finding reputable off-grid expertise and equipment is a serious challenge. One of my best customers did what a lot of people do when they decide to buy an off-grid system: He hopped online to look up a local solar-installation company and chose one that appeared to be qualified. But when the company’s rep came out to the property to scope out a solar-plus-battery system, he ended up sitting down for more than an hour fiddling with an inverter in his lap, trying to figure out why it wouldn’t work. When I later looked over the situation, I found multiple rookie mistakes. To add insult to injury, the company promptly disappeared after being paid, never to be heard from again.
How to Find a Reputable Solar Company?
My (new) customer found me by going to the directory maintained by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). This directory lists installers who have earned their PV Installation Professional Board Certification, or PVIP. I trust NABCEP’s vetting for finding only those who are the best in the business, and I like the PVIP’s stringency. Certified PVIPs must receive regular training to maintain certification. Look for those authorized to display the NABCEP PVIP Seal.
The Certified PVIP will also know what you’ll need for equipment. When a solar company designs an off-grid system, they’ll consider four key components:
California was the first state to incentivize solar installations. There was (and still is) a lot of substandard equipment on the market. To make sure customers who get a rebate from the state purchase reliable equipment, the California Energy Commission (CEC) only approves equipment that meets its standards.
The CEC has gone a step further to define energy-production ratings for various products, meaning a product must pass a test showing it performs at or above the performance described on the manufacturer’s product sheet. This is useful, because product sheets and most other ratings are based on standard test conditions (STC) – meaning how a solar panel or piece of equipment performs under ideal, lab-controlled conditions. CEC instead gives you field-tested, “real-world” performance. This is why you’ll see a solar panel rated to produce 300 watts of power based on the STC earn a CEC rating of 270.7 watts. Most rebate authorities in the United States have adopted the CEC standard for approved equipment (which will almost always require them to pay out a rebate less than one based on the STC). You can find the approved equipment list on the CEC website.
The CEC’s is still a long list. Over the years, I’ve developed additional requirements to narrow my choices. Just as important as reliability ratings and warranty provisions is the manufacturer’s likelihood to be around to support its products. Three of the solar manufacturers I’ve used in the past have gone bankrupt, making their 25-year warranties worthless. Battery and inverter businesses can fail too. Now, when I choose a manufacturer, I make sure it’s been in business for more than eight years (the time financial institutions consider companies to be “established”). Finally, do your own background checks on manufacturers. If they aren’t providing great service, angry customer comments will tell you about it!
Send Us Your Power-Full Questions
We’ll do our best to answer your questions on energy subjects in upcoming issues. Email them to Letters@MotherEarthNews.com with “Energy Q&A” in the subject line.
May all your days be filled with sunshine – even when it rains!
Hoss Boyd is founder, president, and CEO of TeraVolt Energy and a recognized solar and energy-storage expert. Learn more about TeraVolt Energy.
