--- title: The Top 15 Things to Look For in a Solar Provider – Part 1 description: Use this checklist of the top things to consider when deciding which solar companies to contact for proposals, to compare installers and make your decision. image: https://blog.citadelrs.com/hubfs/April-Blog-Header_laptop-Mockup.jpg --- CALL OR [CLICK](https://info.citadelrs.com/get-a-quote) TODAY FOR A **FREE** SOLAR CONSULTATION: [(833) 410-6579](tel:8334106579) - - - - - - Call Now:[(833) 410-6579](tel:%20(833)%20410-6579) [![Citadel Solar](https://blog.citadelrs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Citadel-Color-Logo.png?noresize&width=120&name=Citadel-Color-Logo.png)](https://www.citadelrs.com/) - - - - - [Homeowners](https://www.citadelrs.com/residential/) - [Solar](https://www.citadelrs.com/residential/solar/) - [Solar Energy Storage](https://www.citadelrs.com/residential/solar-battery-energy-storage/) - [Solar Maintainance](https://www.citadelrs.com/residential/solar-maintenance/) - [Roofing](https://www.citadelrs.com/residential/roofing/) - 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[Roofing](https://www.citadelrs.com/learn/roofing/) - [Financing](https://www.citadelrs.com/learn/financing/) - [News](https://blog.citadelrs.com/news) - [Blog](https://blog.citadelrs.com) - [Contact Us](https://www.citadelrs.com/contact-us/) [![Get a Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5109481/33403781-e6c8-488f-8982-c563afdce0a3.png)](https://www.citadelrs.com/get-a-quote/) # OUR RECENT BLOGS # The Top 15 Things to Look For in a Solar Provider – Part 1 ## Published Apr. 22, 2019 When it comes to hiring the best solar provider to install solar panels on your home, the sheer number of choices out there can be overwhelming. But the [Citadel Roofing & Solar](https://www.citadelrs.com/) checklist of the top things to look for can make that challenge easier. This post covers the first eight factors, which are meant to help you choose which companies to contact to request free proposals. All of these factors can be covered during your first call with the potential installer. Or, if you want, you can find out how the company stacks up on a number of these points with some online research *before* you even contact the company. Then, once you’ve settled on a handful of reputable companies and received proposals from them, it’s time to review the remaining seven factors, which we’ll cover in our next post. Be sure to check back in two weeks for that checklist of tips. **![Couple-meeing-with-salesman](https://blog.citadelrs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Couple-meeing-with-salesman.jpg?width=500&name=Couple-meeing-with-salesman.jpg)Security** Many of the qualities you want in a residential solar company fall under the umbrella of Security. If the company you’re considering makes you feel secure in the following ways, you can feel good requesting a proposal from them. **Qualified Installer** You’ve probably seen and heard the annoying “fire sale” type advertisements from solar companies that got into the market to make a quick buck, and have little concern for the quality of their work or the satisfaction of their customers. But there are ways to make sure you’re partnering with a reputable, qualified company. Make sure that the solar company you choose is: Also ask: Is the company investor-owned or privately owned? Is it part of a solar-focused company or is solar just one line of business for them? There is no right or wrong answer here. But you want to feel comfortable that the company is motivated by customer satisfaction, not rewarding investors. And you want to know they have a long-term commitment to selling and maintaining solar energy products. ****A Great Reputation**** Skip the fly-by-night companies and ignore the gimmicks. Reputable solar companies don’t rely on high-pressure sales to win customers. At Citadel, we rely on good, solid dependable solar energy and excellent customer service. That’s why we have a 5-star rating on [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.CitadelRoofingandSolar.38240879.html). If a solar company salesperson reminds you of the stereotypical used car salesman, run the other way! To get an idea what kind of reputation each solar contractor has, you can: ****Local, In-House Crews**** Ask the following questions when deciding which solar providers to ask for proposals. ****![Solar-Installer](https://blog.citadelrs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Solar-Installer.jpg?width=530&name=Solar-Installer.jpg)Premium Equipment **** Quality equipment is as important as well-trained, qualified installers. Does your proposal name the brand of panels to be used? If not, that’s a red flag. You should know what you’re paying for. If you aren’t familiar with the brand named in your proposal, search online for reviews and news about them. Different brands of solar panel offer different price points and performance levels that may matter to you. For example, if you have a small roof, did the solar company offer you premium panels that produce more power per square foot than other panels? Citadel Roofing & Solar installs a range of high-quality equipment made by financially stable manufacturers including SunPower, LG, Panasonic, Hanwha, Longi Enphase, SolarEdge and Fronius. (Our roofing products from CertainTeed and Owens Corning are equally high quality.) ****Warranty Protection **** You may not think warranties matter. Maybe you never buy the extended warranties on your washing machine or refrigerator, but those products have a proven track record. You generally know what to expect. Solar is proving to be extremely reliable, but let’s be honest: It is a relatively new product when it comes to the home consumer market. So you want the security of a good warranty that goes beyond the one or two years you get with your kitchen appliances. Here’s what defines today’s gold standard for residential solar panel protection: That is the minimum you should accept. So be sure to confirm what warranties come with your solar electricity system before signing on the dotted line. ****The Security of Solar**** Let’s digress for a minute to appreciate the security solar gives you, the homeowner: Solar’s benefits are many, but you must feel secure in your choice of solar installer and the system they recommend. We’ve listed eight things to watch for above. It all boils down to this: *How secure do you feel working with this installer and potentially buying a system from them?* ****Solar Security Checklist**** For easy reference, here’s a summary and checklist of the most important things to watch for when selecting the best solar contractors to contact about proposals. Reminder: you can cover these things through online research before reaching out to installers, or during your first contact with them.   [![CIT_SolarSecurityChecklist](https://blog.citadelrs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CIT_SolarSecurityChecklist.jpg?width=400&name=CIT_SolarSecurityChecklist.jpg)](https://blog.citadelrs.com/hubfs/CIT_SolarSecurityChecklist.png) Be sure to visit us again in two weeks for Part 2 of this post, which will detail the seven factors to consider when comparing proposals and making your solar decision. [![New call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/5109481/c0363821-1316-4502-a350-46568ac486af.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/5109481/c0363821-1316-4502-a350-46568ac486af)    ## Solar myths - **Solar is expensive.** False. 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