Information on this page is for customers in
{{ town-name }}
Tips for Finding a Solar Contractor
Find an experienced solar contractor to guide you through the process
Your solar contractor handles most of the installation and interconnection steps, so picking the right one for you and getting the best system for your needs is a very important step.
Unfortunately, a significant amount of misinformation and scam activity also exists in the solar installation space. We offer resources to help you avoid solar scams.
Eversource does not endorse, qualify or guarantee the work of any contractor, vendor or other third party and is not responsible for any goods or services selected or purchased by customers.
Before a consultation
- Know your needs. We recommend understanding how much energy you use in a year, the full timeline and installation process, and a budget range you feel comfortable operating in.
- Check qualifications. Many reputable contractors will have a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, but some qualified installers may not have that credential.
- Know license and insurance requirements. Each state requires different business licenses and insurance policies, so be sure to check requirements in your state before meeting with a potential contractor. Only allow licensed installers to work on your home, including subcontractors the company may hire.
- Read customer reviews. The best way to gauge a company’s past work is to talk to previous customers and read reviews. We recommend looking online, as well as asking the company for references during your consultation.
During the consultation
- Come prepared with questions. These meetings can cover a lot of information, so we recommend you do research beforehand and prepare a list of questions and topics to cover.
- Ask about products and services. Experienced contractors know their solar products, and should be able to comprehensively explain why they recommended what they did to you. We recommend asking about the specific models of panels and inverters they carry, how those models differ, what they would recommend for your home, and if they have installed those models before.
- Ask about performance expectations. Knowing how long your system should last and how much energy it's expected to produce will help you down the road.
- Ask about savings estimates. The installers should be considering factors including how much electricity your home uses, estimated system performance and costs of any financing agreement to provide savings estimates.
After your consultation
- Get multiple bids. Aim to get at least three bids or quotes from reputable installers to ensure you receive the most competitive and comprehensive offer. Contractors on your short list should be willing to do free inspections of your roof, and bids should include cost of installation, the name of the equipment manufacturer and warranties provided.
- Review purchase options. Understanding the details of your agreement, such as if you lease or own your solar system, if you get all the benefits and tax credits from your system, and how payment plans will work are very important. We recommend reading all available materials and asking any questions you may have before agreeing to anything.
- Review incentive options to know what to expect on your bill.
- Review warranties. Your contractor may offer maintenance services, warranties or a performance guarantee to fix your solar system if it’s not operating as expected.