10 Questions to Ask Your Solar Company Before You Sign

Knowing the right questions to ask your solar company can help you compare proposals and avoid surprises. Before you sign, understand who will install your system, what you will pay, and who will handle repairs.

At Uprise Solar & Roofing, we help homeowners across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia work through those decisions. We welcome questions because you should feel comfortable with both your solar system and the team installing it.

Use these 10 questions to guide your conversations with any solar installer, including us.

1. Is my roof a good fit for solar?

First, ask the installer to explain how your roof affects the proposed design. Its condition, available space, direction, and shade all matter.

For example, a tree may shade one section while another gets plenty of sun. Your proposal should account for those differences. Ask how much electricity the system should produce each year and how that compares with your household’s use.

Also discuss your roof’s remaining life. If it needs replacement soon, handling that work before installing panels may save you a future removal and reinstallation expense.

Because Uprise offers roofing services as well as solar, we can discuss both needs together. Ask who would remove and reinstall your panels for future roof work, and what that would cost.

2. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

Ask for the company’s license information and proof of insurance. Its credentials should cover the work involved and the location of your home.

Uprise Solar is licensed, bonded, and insured. We are happy to provide documentation and explain the responsibilities in your installation agreement.

In addition, ask who insures the equipment after installation. The answer may depend on whether you own the system or another company owns it. Your homeowners insurance provider can explain any changes you need to make to your policy.

3. What experience do you have with homes like mine?

Ask about projects similar to yours. A company may have years of experience, but you also want people who understand your roof and local requirements.

For a DC rowhouse, that could mean working around parapet walls, roof access, or neighboring buildings. Elsewhere, it might mean experience with your roof material or utility.

Uprise’s leadership team brings more than 80 years of combined solar experience. We use that experience to help homeowners understand the choices involved in their projects.

4. Who will actually install my system?

Who will be on your roof is one of the most useful questions to ask your solar company. Find out whether its employees perform the installation or whether it hires subcontractors.

At Uprise Solar, our own in-house team installs your system. We do not subcontract our solar installations.

Keeping that work in-house gives us direct oversight of the workmanship and helps us maintain consistent quality standards. It also keeps responsibility for the installation with Uprise.

You should know who your main contact is throughout the project. That way, you know where to turn with questions or concerns about the work.

5. Can I hear from customers with similar projects?

Reviews can tell you a lot about an installer. However, look beyond the overall star rating. Read what customers say about communication, workmanship, and help after installation.

Also ask for a reference from someone with a similar roof or payment arrangement. Their experience may help you understand what to expect.

You can read Uprise’s customer reviews on Google. We are also happy to provide references upon request.

6. What do the warranties actually cover?

Warranty coverage belongs on your list of questions to ask your solar company. Ask for the written terms before signing, including exclusions and how to request a repair.

Review these types of coverage separately:

• Equipment warranties cover specified defects in panels, inverters, and other components.

• Panel performance warranties describe the output the manufacturer warrants over time.

• Workmanship warranties cover specified problems with the installation itself.

Then ask who pays for labor, shipping, and removing or replacing equipment during a covered repair. A replacement part does not always cover the entire service bill.

Uprise offers a 20-year workmanship warranty. Review your contract and the warranties for your proposed equipment so you understand exactly what applies.

7. What panels and inverters are you recommending and why?

Ask for the manufacturer and model of the proposed panels and inverters, along with an explanation of why they fit your roof and energy needs.

Inverters convert the electricity your panels produce into electricity your home can use. Uprise installs Enphase microinverters, which convert power at each panel.

That panel-level operation means shade on one panel does not force every other panel to perform at the same reduced level. It also supports individual panel monitoring. Shade still reduces the affected panel’s production, so good design remains important. Learn about Enphase microinverters.

Ask the installer to explain the tradeoffs between its proposed equipment and other options, including string inverter systems. The recommendation should be specific to your project.

If you want battery backup now or later, bring that up during the design conversation.

8. What will I pay and who owns the system?

Questions to ask your solar company about payment should cover the full agreement. Ask for a comparison of the options available for your address.

With a cash purchase or solar loan, you generally own the system. For a loan, compare the financed price with the cash price. Also review the interest rate, fees, total payments, and any scheduled payment changes.

Under a power purchase agreement, or PPA, another company owns the system. The agreement sets the terms for the electricity it produces.

For any PPA or no-cost solar offer, ask:

• Will I pay for installation or for the solar electricity?
• Can my solar rate increase?
• Who receives incentives and income from solar renewable energy certificates, also called SRECs?
• Who pays for maintenance?
• What happens when I sell my home or the agreement ends?

Uprise can explain the purchase, loan, and PPA options currently available for your property. Eligibility and terms vary.

Finally, check the savings assumptions. Your proposal should explain remaining utility charges, projected SREC income, and any assumed increases in utility rates.

9. Who handles permits and utility approvals?

Ask who submits applications, arranges inspections, and works with your utility. Confirm which fees the proposal includes and who pays if the project needs additional work.

At Uprise, we handle permitting and utility paperwork for our installations. For DC projects, that includes working with the Department of Buildings and Pepco.

However, some steps depend on the permitting office or utility. Ask for a timeline that explains those milestones and how the installer will communicate delays.

Also ask what happens if the utility requires an upgrade or a change to the design. Understand your options before committing to the project.

10. Who helps me after the system is turned on?

Before signing, ask who monitors the system and how to request service. Confirm which repairs your warranty or ownership agreement covers and which could involve a charge.

Uprise provides solar monitoring and Enphase App access so you can follow your system’s production. Tracking your home’s electricity use also requires compatible monitoring equipment and setup. Enphase explains the monitoring requirements.

In addition, ask what happens if your monitoring system loses its internet connection. Make sure you have your app login, warranty documents, and service contact information before the project wraps up.