June 7, 2023, 3:04 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
More and more homeowners are opting for solar panels on their roofs. But what should you consider before purchasing and installing them? The consumer advice center offers tips.
To reduce their electricity costs, more homeowners are considering installing photovoltaic systems. These systems produce environmentally friendly electricity and increase independence from large energy companies. However, before purchasing, there are a few things to consider and various solar panel offers to carefully evaluate. How best to proceed and maintain clarity is explained here.
Checklist from the Consumer Advice Center
Before acquiring a solar panel system, people typically review different offers. The Consumer Advice Center NRW provides tips with a checklist to help keep track. This checklist allows you to precisely note what can be gleaned from the solar panel offer. Among other things, you can check off items to ensure the offer is complete.
It includes questions about which inverters are to be installed. Additionally, all labor costs must be itemized alongside material costs. This includes installation and necessary safety measures like scaffolding and safety nets. The commissioning and registration of the system with the grid operator must also be listed, explains energy expert Sören Demandt from the Consumer Advice Center NRW.
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The checklist also provides an overview of costs and potential financing options. Finally, it asks whether the offer includes a profitability calculation, which provides a forecast of the expected time until the solar panel system pays for itself.
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Competence and Experience Are Important
Energy expert Demandt also advises ensuring that the installation company is ideally located nearby and has sufficient experience and competence. The company should also be able to provide references in the region. In case of doubt, you can even directly assess their work.
Before any offer for the installation of a solar panel system is made, there should be an on-site appointment, advises the energy expert. During this visit, the building conditions are assessed.
What Is Important Before Requesting Offers for a Solar Panel System
Before requesting initial offers, there are a few other considerations to make. According to energy expert Demandt, you should first have a professional company check whether the structural conditions for a solar panel system on the roof are met. Additionally, you should find out if a building permit is required.
Then, consider what requirements the system should meet: How large should it be? How much electricity should it generate? Once all requirements are clarified, you can start obtaining multiple offers from professional solar panel companies.