Choosing a solar installer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when investing in solar energy. After all, you’re trusting a company to make significant modifications to your home, install an electrical system, and provide equipment that you may depend on for decades.
You may have heard of NABCEP certification, often considered one of the solar industry’s leading professional credentials. But is that enough to ensure you’re hiring a qualified installer?
Not necessarily.
A certification is a good starting point, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider. Licensing, safety training, installation experience, insurance, and knowledge of local building codes are equally important.
Here’s what homeowners should look for when evaluating a solar installation company.
1. Professional Licensing: Is the Company Legally Qualified?
Before looking at certifications, start with contractor licensing.
Solar installations involve several different trades, including electrical work, roofing, and structural construction. Depending on the project and state requirements, different licenses may be necessary.
For example, in Utah, homeowners should understand two important contractor classifications:
- S202 – Solar Photovoltaic Contractor: Covers the fabrication, construction, installation, and replacement of photovoltaic systems and related components.
- E200/E201 – Electrical Contractor: Covers electrical work governed by applicable electrical codes, including the wiring and connections associated with solar installations.
Having a solar contractor license does not automatically mean a company is authorized to perform every type of electrical work.
Ask whether the company holds the appropriate licenses and who will actually perform the electrical work.
You can verify Utah contractor licensing through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing.
2. NABCEP Certification: What Does It Actually Tell You?
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is one of the most recognized credentialing organizations in the solar industry.
Its certifications demonstrate that individuals have met specific education, experience, and examination requirements.
However, not all NABCEP credentials cover the same responsibilities.
Some examples include:
- PV Installation Professional: Focuses on photovoltaic system installation.
- PV Design Specialist: Focuses on designing photovoltaic systems.
- PV Installer Specialist: Focuses on installation-related knowledge and skills.
- PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist: Focuses on system testing, commissioning, and maintenance.
These distinctions matter. Someone qualified to design a solar system may have different expertise than someone responsible for installing or troubleshooting it.
It’s also important to remember that NABCEP credentials belong to individuals, not automatically to every employee of a company.
Ask whether the person designing your system, supervising installation, or performing the electrical work has relevant qualifications.
You can learn more through NABCEP’s official website.
3. Safety Training: Protecting Workers and Your Home
Solar installation involves working at heights, handling electrical equipment, and working around potentially dangerous energy sources.
Safety training is an important indicator of a company’s commitment to professional installation practices.
Some useful training and qualifications include:
OSHA 10 Construction: Provides basic workplace safety training for construction workers.
OSHA 30 Construction: Provides more extensive safety training, particularly useful for supervisors and employees responsible for jobsite safety.
NFPA 70E Training: Covers electrical safety practices, including electrical shock hazards, arc-flash risks, and safe work procedures.
National Electrical Code (NEC) Training: Helps installers understand the electrical requirements for properly installing and connecting solar systems.
A qualified installer should understand more than how to attach panels to a roof. They should know how to protect workers, homeowners, and the electrical system itself.
4. Roofing and Structural Experience
Solar panels can remain on a roof for 25 years or longer. That makes proper installation particularly important.
An installer should understand how different roofing materials affect installation techniques, including asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and tile.
They should also understand:
- Proper roof penetrations and flashing.
- Waterproofing and preventing leaks.
- Structural attachment to roof framing.
- Wind loading and uplift resistance.
- Snow loading and additional roof weight.
- Fire setbacks and emergency access requirements.
This is especially important in Utah, where snow accumulation, wind exposure, and seasonal temperature changes can affect solar installations.
For more complicated projects, appropriate structural engineering evaluations may also be necessary.
A solar installation should never compromise the structural integrity or weather protection of your home.
5. Manufacturer Training and Equipment Knowledge
Solar panels, inverters, batteries, and monitoring systems are not all the same.
Manufacturers often provide product-specific training to help installers understand proper installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
This is particularly important when installing battery storage systems.
Ask whether your installer has experience and training with the specific equipment being proposed for your home.
A company that regularly installs and services a particular inverter or battery system may be better equipped to troubleshoot problems than one that has limited experience with that equipment.
6. Real-World Installation Experience
Certifications and training are valuable, but practical experience matters too.
Before hiring a company, ask questions about its installation history:
- How many residential solar systems has the company installed?
- How long has its installation team worked in the solar industry?
- Does the company employ its own installation crews or use subcontractors?
- Does it have experience with your particular roofing material?
- Has it installed battery storage systems?
- Can it provide references from previous customers?
One particularly useful question is whether the company can provide references from homeowners whose systems have been operating for three to five years.
An installation might look perfect on the day the work is completed. What matters is how well the system performs over time.
7. Insurance and Workmanship Warranties
Solar installation is a substantial investment. You want to know that the company is adequately insured and will stand behind its work.
Ask for proof of:
- General liability insurance.
- Workers’ compensation insurance.
- Appropriate commercial insurance.
- Proper insurance and licensing for subcontractors.
You should also understand the company’s workmanship warranty.
Solar equipment warranties and installation warranties are two different things.
A manufacturer’s warranty generally covers defects in the equipment itself. A workmanship warranty covers problems associated with how the system was installed.
Ask how long the workmanship warranty lasts, what it covers, and how warranty claims are handled.
It’s also worth considering whether the company has a stable business history and is likely to remain available if you need service several years down the road.
8. Permits, Inspections, and Utility Approval
A professional solar installer should handle more than the physical installation.
The company should understand the permitting, inspection, and utility interconnection process.
This generally includes:
- Obtaining required building and electrical permits.
- Preparing and submitting installation plans.
- Coordinating required inspections.
- Working with the local utility on interconnection.
- Completing system commissioning and testing.
- Obtaining permission to operate (PTO), when required.
Be cautious of companies that suggest skipping permits or operating a grid-connected system before receiving the necessary utility approval.
Proper permitting and inspections help ensure that your installation meets applicable safety and building requirements.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Solar Installer
You don’t need to be an electrical engineer or solar industry expert to evaluate a company. Asking a few straightforward questions can reveal a lot about its qualifications.
Here are eight questions worth asking:
- What contractor licenses does your company hold?
- Does your company have NABCEP-certified professionals, and what are their specific credentials?
- Who will design my system and supervise the installation?
- Who will perform the electrical work?
- What safety training do your installation crews receive?
- How much experience do you have with my particular roof type and equipment?
- Can you provide references from customers with systems installed several years ago?
- What workmanship warranty do you offer, and who handles service calls?
A reputable installer should be comfortable answering these questions and providing documentation when appropriate.
The Bottom Line: Look Beyond the Certification
NABCEP certification is a valuable credential, and it can help consumers identify professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the solar industry.
But certification alone doesn’t guarantee a quality installation.
A qualified solar installation company should have the appropriate contractor licenses, trained personnel, practical installation experience, adequate insurance, and a clear commitment to safety and customer service.
Most importantly, understand who is responsible for each part of your installation. The person designing your system, the crew installing your panels, and the electrician making the final connections may have different qualifications and responsibilities.
Don’t just ask whether a solar company is certified. Ask whether the people doing the actual work are qualified to do their specific jobs.
That distinction can make a significant difference in the safety, reliability, and long-term performance of your solar investment.
