Mother Nature has a price to pay. Over time, even the best-designed solar panel system will deteriorate since it is an electrical appliance exposed to the elements. One of the reasons why solar panels can lose their efficiency is because of stormy weather.
Wind and rain can cause damage to your roof, and this could lead to minimal generation levels or no electricity at all for a short period. If you have solar panels on your roof, there is a possibility that someday soon, you will also need them repaired.
Just as some car mechanics may grossly overcharge customers or talk them into work they don’t need here, so too can solar repair services.
And that’s where this guide comes in. It’s a handy reference to show you what to look for to ensure you’re not getting ripped off and that you get the maximum benefit from the money spent.
Ten Things to Know Before Calling A Solar Panel Repair Service
1. Decide on the Nature of the Repairs Before Getting Them Done
The most common problem with these panels is a tear or rip in their covering. This happens when someone accidentally puts something on top of them or even when someone steps on them by accident. In such cases, you must get the tear repaired at once, so it does not spread further and cause more damage to the entire system.
Therefore, the first thing you need to do when repairing your solar panel decides on the nature of the repairs that need to be made. At this point, it will be essential for you to determine whether the damage is superficial or if there is internal damage as well. If the damage appears shallow, you can get it repaired by yourself without having to take it apart entirely and give it an assessment from the inside out. If there is internal damage, it might be better for you to call in a professional because they will know exactly what needs to be done for each type of situation.
2. Make Sure That You Fix Only Genuine Parts for Your Solar Panels
Before getting any repairs done for your solar panel, ensure that you fix only genuine parts for them so that there are no chances for any later ripoffs or frauds. Most people try to use fake features to repair their solar panels, which leads them to huge losses at a later stage when they start facing problems with their systems again and again due to these fake parts, which do not work correctly as expected.
3. Ask for a Comprehensive Quote
There are many elements that go into getting a quote for solar panel repairs. The first step is to get an estimate from your power utility. They will be able to tell you how much energy your system produces and what size of the inverter is needed. A solar panel installer can then use this information to provide a quote for the necessary work on your solar panels. The section should include all the costs associated with fixing the problem, including labor costs and replacement parts needed for the system repair. If it does not appear reasonable, there may be something wrong with how they calculated the price, or they might be trying to hide something from you – such as poor quality workmanship or substandard products.
Moreover, try to get at least three other bids for the job. By getting multiple requests, you will be able to see how much each company charges for its services. You can then choose the one that offers the best price without sacrificing quality.
This will give you some perspective on whether or not your current bid is reasonable or not. As a result, you might find that another contractor can do the job for less than half as much as your first estimate.
4. Check out Their Reviews
A contractor’s reviews can help determine whether they provide quality service at reasonable prices. If they have numerous positive reviews from customers who were satisfied with their work, that is usually a good sign that the company is reliable and trustworthy. However, if there are many negative reviews about poor customer service or overcharging — even if only one or two people have complained about these issues — this could indicate that this company has some problems with its customer service department or business practices overall should not be hired.
5. Check out the Contractor’s License
If you want to avoid being ripped off by dishonest people who claim they can fix your panel but cannot deliver as promised, then make sure they are licensed and bonded before hiring them. This way, if they do not do their job correctly or at all, their company will hold them responsible and cannot disappear with your money.
A licensed contractor can ensure that all building codes are met by completing required inspections before and after each phase of construction. In addition, they may be able to advise on making your home more energy-efficient through insulation or other upgrades before building begins, so you do not need as much heating or cooling when it is complete.
6. Beware of High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Many consumers have had bad experiences with solar panel repair companies because they were pressured into signing a contract before having all the facts. The most common high-pressure sales tactic is for the company to come out to your property, do an inspection, and then tell you that you need immediate repairs or your system will fail, and there is no time to waste. This type of approach could be legitimate if there were a real problem with your design or if it was an emergency like a fire. However, this is usually not the case, and these companies want to sell you something you do not need right now.
The second high-pressure sales tactic is when a company tries to sell you new equipment when you need maintenance on what you already have. If your panels are dirty, this could impact their efficiency and cause them to produce less power than they should be; however, cleaning them should not cost any money. You can use vinegar or bleach water solutions to clean your panels without paying extra for the service.
Another way that companies can try to pressure you into buying something is by telling you that they will lock in today’s prices on future purchases. This may seem like a great deal at first glance, but it is a widespread tactic used by companies who know that their prices are going up in the future. They want to get as many people locked in now so that they do not have to raise prices later on when more people become aware that their products are becoming more expensive.
7. Read Through the Contract Carefully Before Signing Anything
If you do not understand something, ask questions until you do understand it. Find someone else who can if the contractor cannot explain something enough for you to understand it. You want to be sure that any agreement you sign is unambiguous — if there is any doubt about what is included in the contract or how much it will cost, get another estimate from another company instead of signing anything until this has been resolved and preferably resolved in your favor.
8. Seek out a Written Warranty
When looking for solar panel repair services, you must get a written warranty before agreeing to have them work on your system. A written warranty is proof that the company stands behind its work and will fix any problems that arise down the road if they were not adequately repaired or maintained.
If a company offers only verbal promises or no warranty, then it is best not to use them for your solar panel needs. While legitimate companies do not offer guarantees because they feel confident in their abilities, it is better safe than sorry when dealing with such an essential repair as solar panels.
9. Do Not Pay 100% Upfront for Solar Panel Repair Costs
When it comes to repairing solar panels, there are two choices. You can go with a company that charges 100% upfront for their services, or you can find one that offers a pay-as-you-go repair service. While it may seem like the best option is to pay up front for repairs since you know precisely what you will be paying, other factors make this a bad idea. Like most things in life, it is all about the fine print.
The biggest problem with paying upfront for solar panel repair costs is that the companies offering them are usually shady and unreliable. The fact that they are willing to take your money upfront shows that they do not have much faith in their ability to follow through on their promises. This means that if something goes wrong with your system after payment has been made, they may not be willing or able to fix it — leaving you without power until further notice and without getting your money back.
The best way to avoid getting ripped off by shady companies offering up-front solar panel repair costs is always to pay after work has been completed. This way, there will never be any question about whether or not a company will fulfill its obligations because there was no obligation when it came time to pay them.
10. Make Sure to Negotiate
Most of these companies quote high prices because they think people would not negotiate with them. They believe that once they quote a price, people will take it as is or walk away from them if they want something lower than what they quoted. But this is not true at all! You can always negotiate with them by asking them why their prices are so high and if there are any discounts available or ways to make their prices lower than what they initially quoted.
Final Thoughts
Now you have some handy consumer insight when it comes to investing in the care of your solar system. You also have something else. Access to a five-star, solar maintenance provider in New York and New Jersey – that’s been in business for over 19 years. We’re Solar Medix.
Our team at Solar Medix is ready to answer your questions and give you a no-obligation price quote. Feel free to call us at 732-785-4814 or book a consultation online. And we’ll get in touch within 24 hours.
