Questions to Ask a Solar Installer Before You Sign

Hiring the wrong solar installer is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make — and it’s almost always preventable. The difference between a smooth installation and years of warranty headaches comes down to the questions you ask before you sign anything. Most homeowners don’t know what to ask. Most installers don’t volunteer the answers.

Here are the questions that actually matter, what good answers look like, and a few red flags to watch for.

Is Your Company Licensed and Insured in My State?

This is non-negotiable. Every state has different licensing requirements for electrical and solar contractors. A company licensed in Georgia isn’t automatically licensed in Alabama or Tennessee. Ask for their state license number and verify it on your state contractor licensing board’s website before the conversation goes further.

Ask specifically for general liability insurance and workers’ comp. If a worker is injured on your roof and the company doesn’t carry workers’ comp, you could be liable. Get certificates of insurance, not just assurances.

Are You a Direct Installer or a Sales Middleman?

This question catches a lot of homeowners off guard. Many solar “companies” are actually sales organizations that sign you up and then subcontract the actual installation to a third party. That’s not automatically a problem, but you need to know who’s doing the work on your roof, whose warranty covers it, and who you call when something goes wrong.

Ask: “Will your own employees be installing my system, or will you subcontract?” If they subcontract, ask to see the subcontractor’s license and insurance separately.

What Warranties Come With the System?

A solar installation involves at least three separate warranties, and you need to understand each one before signing:

Panel manufacturer warranty: Usually 25 years for product defects, plus a separate 25-year performance warranty guaranteeing the panels still produce at least 80–85% of rated output at year 25. Ask for the specific manufacturer warranty document, not just a summary.

Inverter warranty: String inverters typically carry 10-year warranties. Microinverters (like Enphase) often come with 25 years. This matters because inverters are the component most likely to need replacement mid-system-life.

Installer workmanship warranty: This covers the labor — wiring, racking, roof penetrations. The industry standard is 10 years, but some companies offer less. If the roof leaks around a solar mount 3 years from now, this is the warranty that covers the repair.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

Solar companies have a high failure rate, especially during market downturns. A company that’s been around less than 3–4 years is a meaningful risk — not because they do bad work, but because if they close, your workmanship warranty becomes worthless. A panel manufacturer warranty is backed by the manufacturer, but a 10-year installer warranty is only as good as the installer still being in business.

Ask: “How many installations have you completed in my county?” Local track record matters more than national volume.

What Happens After the Permit and Inspection?

A legitimate installation requires pulling an electrical permit with your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and passing a final inspection before the system turns on. Some less reputable installers skip or rush this step. Ask explicitly: “Do you pull permits, and does an inspector sign off before activation?” The answer should always be yes.

Also ask who handles utility interconnection — the process of getting the utility to approve your system to connect to the grid. This can take 2–8 weeks and requires paperwork with your utility. Good installers manage this entirely. You shouldn’t have to chase your utility yourself.

What’s My Realistic Payback Period?

Any reputable installer should be able to show you a production estimate based on your actual roof orientation, shading analysis, and historical weather data — not a generic average. Ask to see the software they used (Aurora, PVsyst, or similar) and the assumptions behind the output numbers.

Be skeptical of payback estimates shorter than 6 years or savings projections based on unrealistically high utility rate escalation (anything above 3–4% annually). Ask: “What does this projection assume for annual utility rate increases?”

What Financing Are You Offering and What’s the Total Cost?

If they’re offering a solar loan, ask for the APR, the loan term, and the total amount you’ll repay over the life of the loan — not just the monthly payment. A $30,000 system financed at 6.99% over 25 years costs you nearly $70,000 total. That changes the math significantly.

If you’re considering a lease or PPA, ask: “What happens if I sell my house?” Most solar leases transfer to the new buyer, but it can complicate the sale. Ask what the buyout amount is at years 5, 10, and 15.

For homeowners who want reliable backup without committing to a full panel system yet, a portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro can be a way to get started with solar charging before a full install.

Can You Provide References From Local Customers?

Ask for the names of 2–3 customers in your area who had their system installed at least 2 years ago. A company that’s done good work won’t hesitate. Call those references and ask specifically: Did the system perform as projected? Were there any issues, and how did the company respond?

Red Flags to Walk Away From

High-pressure tactics (“this discount expires today”). Unwillingness to provide license numbers or insurance certificates. Vague or verbal warranty promises. No local references. Quotes that seem dramatically lower than competitors without explanation. A contract that names a different company as the actual installer. Any of these should stop the process until you get clear answers.

Bottom Line

A solar installation is a 25-year relationship with whoever installs your system. The time to ask hard questions is before you sign — not after there’s a leak in your roof or a dispute over a warranty claim. Installers who do good work will welcome the questions. Those who push back or get vague should be crossed off your list.