Getting started with solar

Make sure you read your energy system installation contract before signing. Review all warranties and maintenance agreements. Ensure that you receive the final price quote in writing. Only sign the contract after fully understanding the terms and total costs involved.

Never pay a down payment of more than 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000 (whichever amount is less). This regulation is determined by California state law. Don’t make the final payment until the system is fully installed and operating properly.

Solar energy photovoltaic (PV) contractors: Visit the California Distributed Generation Statistics database of installers, contractors and retailers to search for contractors by ZIP Code. Filter results by the average cost per watt to learn how much other customers have paid.

Visit California DG stats

Solar water heating contractors: Visit Go Solar California to find contractors in your area who can install a system.

Find a solar water heating contractor

Your contractor must have an active A, B, C-10 or C-46 license. When you meet the contractor for the first time, ask to view their Contractors State License Board (CSLB) "pocket license" and a photo ID to confirm they are authorized. Contact the CSLB to verify the contractor’s authorization. Visit the Contractors State License Board or call 1-800-321-2752.

In addition, get answers to the following questions:

• Does the contractor have any Contractors State License Board (CSLB) complaints pending?
• Is the contractor a member of the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA)?
• Does the contractor have reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website?
• Does the contractor have workers’ compensation insurance?

Contractors should visit your home and view your past energy usage and future energy needs. The two most important figures that potential solar contractors can provide are:

• The amount of electricity the system can produce
• The net cost of the system per watt

This information is used to provide an accurate size of the system you need and the total cost. Each contractor is expected to suggest a similar-sized system for your home’s need. If the bid for the system varies greatly, ask the contractors why.

Compare bids

It pays to be thorough and organized when comparing bids. Take advantage of our helpful bid comparison worksheets:

Solar Energy: Download solar contractor bid comparison form(PDF)
Solar Water Heating: download solar water heating bid comparison form (PDF)

Tips to help you select the winning bid

• Compare apples to apples. Contractors often use different or confusing terms. Ask for clarification to ensure that you are comparing equal or similar items.
• Dig for details. Each bid must include a full estimate. All anticipated work and associated costs must be detailed. Ask for any missing information.
• Use the "Goldilocks" principle. A low bid may be a red flag that the contractor is cutting corners. Similarly, a high bid can mean an unnecessarily oversized system. To compare average project costs to your bids, visit Go Solar California.
• Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask contractors about their businesses, the bid for your system or any terms you don’t understand. Request references from previous customers. Ensure that the previous clients are satisfied and their installed systems are performing well.

Consider a professionally installed monitoring system if you want to track your solar panel performance more closely. When performance drops, the system monitors which panels aren’t working properly and identifies panels that need repair. Many solar contractors install performance monitoring services as part of your overall solar system package. If you need to add such a service, please note that most professional panel monitoring systems require a monthly subscription fee.

The State of California maintains a list of authorized performance monitoring providers (Performance Monitoring Reporting Services).

Regular cleaning can help optimize your solar system’s production

Dirty solar panels can notably reduce the amount of energy your home generates. Solar panels can become soiled from dust, soot from air pollution, ash from wildfires, bird waste, plant debris (i.e. leaves and twigs from nearby trees), and other sources. Fortunately, regular cleaning can help ensure that your solar panels are generating at their potential.

Your personal safety is most important. You should not attempt to clean your system if it is not safe to do so. A licensed professional can perform cleaning, inspections, and maintenance. Consider scheduling an appointment if your system’s productivity is decreasing.

Have your solar panels regularly inspected and maintained

We suggests that you have your panels inspected every two years, or when you notice a significant drop in performance during clear weather. Only a licensed professional solar contractor should perform system maintenance and inspections. Solar panel inspectors generally check that:

• Panels are free from soiling or damage
• Wires and connections are secure
• The inverter is functioning properly
• New tree growth or other obstructions shading panels

NOTE: If a leasing company or power purchase provider owns your system, maintenance might be included in your contract. Read your contract for specific terms and conditions.

California continues to experience smoke and ash from large wildfires. These can cause a substantial drop in your solar system’s production. Smoke in the air can lower generation by blocking sunlight from reaching your solar panels. Ash and other particulates from wildfires can settle on solar panels and impede production until the panels are cleaned.

If you notice that your system’s performance is dropping, it may be time for a cleaning to ensure that you are maximizing solar bill savings.

Your personal safety is most important. You should not attempt to clean your system if it is not safe to do so. A licensed professional can perform cleaning, inspections, and maintenance. Consider scheduling an appointment if your system’s productivity is decreasing.

NOTE: If a leasing company or power purchase provider owns your system, maintenance and cleaning may be included in your contract. Read your contract for specific terms and conditions.