Our Commercial Customers

Last week we wrote about how to choose a trusted solar contractor by checking professional credentials, customer references and online reviews. This week’s article will go over the importance of hiring a company that focuses on solar installation in addition to seeking out trained solar professionals and quality products.

Every few years, we see an influx of people trying to get into the solar business. For instance, your general contractor might add solar installation to their services or the local roofing company will start selling solar panels. One time a customer even told us that their real estate company was getting into the solar business! Beware of these types of companies; it’s very likely they will not have the proper training and experience. Since solar installation can be quite complicated and there are many different rules and regulations, it is best to find a firm who is solely focused on solar.

We also recommend going with a locally-based company. They are usually familiar with your city’s building codes and inspection procedures, so they will most likely provide you with a higher quality installation and better service in the future.

In nearly 40 years of business, we have seen a lot of solar installation companies come and go. If a company shuts down it can result in a variety of issues; it is possible the terms of your lease might change or you won’t be able to solicit them for any future maintenance. By choosing a company that’s been installing systems for at least 10 years, there is a better chance that they will stay in business for as long as your solar system is producing energy. You can look this up by going on the CSLB website.

Pay attention to any other contractor’s licenses they have opened in the past. Many people will claim that they have been in business for 20 years but it’s possible those years were spent as a roofer, burglar alarm company or other trade, and they just recently started installing solar panels last year.

Of course, it’s important to hire trained solar professionals to work on your solar system. First, if a company has C46 solar contractor’s license, then you know they have gone through special training. Second, make sure that they do not subcontract any part of the job. Ask them once, ask them twice, and get it in writing. You really want experienced, solar installers up on your roof instead of someone who was hired for just a few days of work.

Finally, there are some companies who have one or two pre-packaged solar deals that they offer to everyone. However, since energy usage, roof space and location vary so greatly from project to project, it’s better to choose a solar installer who offers a variety of products from reputable brands (like SunPower, Sharp, and Bosch/Aleo to name a few). Then, the company can tailor the solar system to your needs and, ultimately, provide you with a higher performing array that will better fulfill your expectations.

Deciding to invest in a solar system is a huge decision and long-term investment. Hopefully, this guide will help you avoid a fly-by-night operation and find a trusted solar installation company who will provide a smooth transition to using clean, renewable solar energy to power your home or business.

If you haven’t already, read Part 1 of our “How to Choose A Solar Installer” series. Also, check out Troy Wolverton’s article  at the Mercury News website. He provides some great information about how to shop for a solar system and solar installer.

Once you have decided to go solar, it’s time to choose who will install the solar system. With hundreds of solar installers and contractors in Southern California alone, it can seem pretty overwhelming. By properly researching your solar contractor, you can ensure that you will receive a quality installation and your system will produce the maximum amount of solar energy for the duration of its lifetime. But, where to start?

First things first, research the company’s professional credentials. We suggest finding out the following:

• Are they a member of CALSEIA?
• Are they listed as an eligible vendor at the California Solar Initiative website?
• Are they licensed by the Contractors State License Board?
• Are they a member of the League of California Homeowners?
• Do they have an A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau?

CALSEIA, or the California Solar Energy Industries Association, is dedicated to spreading solar technology throughout the state. They make sure that their members are avoiding any deceptive acts and are running an ethical business model. Of course, it’s important to check that the company is listed as an eligible vendor on the California Solar Initiative (CSI) website and is also licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

We also recommend choosing a solar installer who is a member of the League of California Homeowners. This nonprofit organization does a rigorous background check on their members every year. Among other things, they check to see that the company did not file for bankruptcy and has the proper workers comp and insurance. They also interview three customers a year to make sure that folks are happy with the company’s work.

The Better Business Bureau doles out ratings from A+ to F based on a 16 point system that evaluates everything from the number and degree of any complaints filed to the use of questionable advertising. We would only accept a solar installer with an A+ rating from the BBB.

Second, ask the solar contractor to provide you with customer references from previous installations. Pay attention to the amount of references they give you. For instance, did they provide you with 3 or 30 references? Are the references from recent jobs only or the entire time that they have been in business? We recommend contacting a few of the references to see what they have to say. Ultimately, their feedback might help you make your final decision.

Lastly, research the solar company’s online reviews on websites like Yelp or Angie’s List. Since these sites are unedited, you can get a pretty good feel for the company’s reputation by reading through the commentary. Solar Reviews is also a good website to gauge a solar installation company’s quality of work and service.

Verifying a solar company’s professional credentials and reviewing their customer references and reviews are a few tips that will give you a good start on researching the best solar installer for your project. Be sure to check back in on the blog next week for the second installment on how to choose a solar contractor with even more pointers and advice.

The California Aquatics Therapy & Wellness Center has awarded a solar pool heating project to AMECO, a local company that is considered a pioneer and leader in the solar industry.

Originally organized as the California Communities Pool for the Handicapped in 1956 by civic leader Evelyn DuPont, the nonprofit organization offers accessible and affordable aquatic therapy to nearly 2,000 children and adults each year.

Because therapeutic pools are typically warmer than the average pool, heating the two community pools has become a significant expense for the center, costing upwards of $13,000 a year. The original solar pool heater, installed by AMECO in 1981, was removed in order to replace the roof and make way for more efficient solar panels that will offset the energy needed to heat the pools.

“California Aquatics Therapy & Wellness Center has been a long-standing institution in Long Beach for fifty years now. We’re honored to provide them with clean, renewable energy so that they can lower their utility bill and direct the savings to support their integral community programs,” said Pat Redgate, President & CEO of AMECO.

Community programs include aquatic therapy and rehabilitation sessions offered to children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism and muscular dystrophy. Many of the pool’s members spend all day in their wheel chairs explained Kit Gabel, the Aquatic Director who has worked at the center for five years. “This is the only time that they can feel free,” he said.

The center also provides programs including ‘Moovin and Groovin’ for children from low-income families and aquatic exercise classes for the elderly.

Funding for the project is provided by the Port of Long Beach as a grant to reduce greenhouse gasses. In addition to the solar system installation, the grant will provide funds to educate local community members about solar energy.

As the sun rose over El Dorado Park this past Saturday, large groups of middle school and high school students gathered for the Fourth Annual Solar Grand Prix. The event, hosted by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and partly sponsored by AMECO, focuses on solar energy education by challenging students to work together to a design, build and race a model car that’s powered by a solar panel.

While checking in teams from 22 different schools in Long Beach, AMECO was able to evaluate each solar-powered model car.

Many teams tried to utilize lightweight materials in hopes that it would increase the speed of their car. One team made a long, sleek frame out of balsa wood while another group used the Styrofoam shell from the packaging of a younger brother’s toy as the body of the car.

Others team got into the technical aspect of the design by trying out new gears, tinkering with the motor or adding traction to their recycled wheels. One team of young women had taken apart an old sewing machine and used some of the parts for the engine — whenever the car ran it sounded like a sewing machine!

We were impressed by the ingenuity and creativity that the students put into their designs. Some of our favorite creative solar cars included a design that looked like the Endeavor space shuttle. Another was doused in glitter to try to increase the amount of sunlight going to the solar panel, also because the team was made up of 12 years old girls.

After every solar-powered model car was registered and reviewed in detail by the judges, the races were set to begin. The appointed rep from each team prepared their solar car at one end of the track, being sure to cover the solar panel with a piece of cardboard. Once the race flag was lowered, off came the cardboard and the sun gave energy to the solar model cars so that they moved down the wooden race track while everyone cheered. Some cars went extremely fast and completed the race in seconds while other cars went at a steady speed.  Unfortunately, a few teams experienced technical malfunctions and had to rescue their cars from the middle of the track.

While only a few teams received trophies for being the fastest or having the most innovative design, it was a winning day for all of the Long Beach students and families involved in the Solar Grand Prix. The students enjoyed the process of planning, designing and building their solar models cars as much as the thrill of the competition. All the while, everyone learned about solar power and how it’s clean, renewable energy benefits our community and environment.