Preparing For Your Solar Consultation

February 23, 2023

Preparing for your solar consultation is an essential part of the solar installation process. In the past, in-home sales visits were the first step in obtaining quotes, but with advancements in technology and an increasing level of comfort with Zoom and other online meeting platforms, many solar installers now offer virtual consultations to make the process more convenient. During your solar consultation you can get all your solar installation questions answered and discuss your current and future home energy needs with a solar expert.

Whether you start with an in-person visit or a virtual meeting, it’s helpful to have the information your solar consultant will need to generate an accurate quote for your home. Here are 5 things to keep in mind as you prepare for your solar sales meetings:

1) Have Your Electric Bill Ready

To accurately estimate your potential savings, it’s essential that your solar consultant reviews your home’s energy usage over the past 12 months. We recommend having a copy of your electric bill available prior to your solar consultation. By reviewing your electricity bills, we can assess your home’s energy consumption and current electric rate, which helps us provide you with an accurate and personalized estimate.

Ideally, you should download your monthly bills from your utility company’s website, but we can also work with estimates if you don’t have access to your bills yet. Just keep in mind that if you decide to go solar, we’ll need to see your past electric bills to confirm our estimates before we finalize your solar design and perform any work.

2) Discuss Any Future Additions & Home Energy Needs

Installing a solar panel system is a long-term investment, so it’s important to plan ahead for any foreseeable changes in your home’s energy needs. During your solar consultation, discuss any future additions to your home that would require a lot of electricity, like purchasing an electric vehicle or installing a hot tub. By doing so, your solar installer can recommend the ideal solar panel system size to meet your current and future needs.

3) Expect Questions About Your Roof’s Condition, Material & Age

Your roof is an essential component of your solar panel system, so it’s critical to assess it and make sure it’s in good condition to support the weight of the solar panels. During your consultation, you can expect your solar installer to inquire about your roof’s material and age, as well as any past leaks or issues you’ve had with it. Solar panel systems last between 25 and 30 years, so you’ll want to make sure your roof has a similar lifespan.

Additionally, your installer will use satellite imagery to assess your roof’s condition and identify any concerning areas, such as obstructions, shade, etc. This information will help us design a solar panel system that fits your home energy needs to bring you plenty of savings for many years to come.

4) Provide the Same Accurate Information to Each Solar Company

When you begin your solar panel installation process, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. To do that, you should provide the same information to each solar company that’s giving you a solar quote. That means being upfront about your home’s electrical consumption, as well as any energy-efficient measures you may have already taken, like installing new insulation or weatherizing your home. By providing the same information to each solar company, you’ll be able to get accurate quotes and compare apples to apples so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

5) Preparing for a Successful Virtual Solar Consultation: Video Call, Phone Call or Email?

As mentioned above, virtual consultations are becoming more popular. If you’ve opted for a virtual consultation, make sure you have a reliable internet connection so you can participate in the video call without any interruptions.

Alternatively, if you prefer a phone call or email consultation, we can still gather important information about your property and energy needs, such as your average monthly energy usage and roof orientation, to create a custom solar system design.