Going solar is always an excellent option. Whether you’re installing solar on your home or purchasing a new home that already has solar installed, it’s never a bad idea to choose solar. It is important to be aware of some key things before you purchase a house that already has solar installed. Solar poses several benefits for homeowners, and yet, you can get yourself into a sticky situation if you aren’t careful when purchasing a property with solar already installed. We have comprised a short list of important questions to ask when purchasing a home or business with solar.

The first question that you’re going to want to ask is whether the solar system is leased or owned. In an ideal world, you’d want to purchase a home or business where the previous tenant owned the solar system. Leased solar systems are systems that the previous owner doesn’t own and are instead leased out to a solar lender. These leases can last for several years, and they can create added costs to your new investments.

When considering purchasing a home or business with solar, try to buy a property with purchased panels. Purchased panels lead to less stress and hassle as you won’t have to worry about either purchasing the system outright from the lender or making extra monthly payments to the lender for your solar. Buying a home or business with panels that are already purchased means that once the property becomes yours, so does the solar without the extra costs.

Next, it’s important to know who installed the panels. If ever an issue arises with your new panels, it’s important to know who to call for help. Many solar contractors won’t touch systems that they themselves didn’t install, so you need to be sure that you know exactly who installed the solar on the property that you’re purchasing. SolarTech is unique in that we’re comfortable servicing or upgrading solar systems installed by outside companies. If you’re in need of an upgrade or repairs, or if you’re planning on purchasing a property with solar and you’d like to learn more about SolarTech’s availability for servicing, give us a call at (619) 743-9193.

Knowing who manufactured your panels will make upgrading or servicing them in the future far easier. If you’re wanting to add energy storage to your home or business, you’ll need to know what panels you have installed as they may be limited to the batteries that they’re compatible with. SunPower Equinox panels for instance are compatible to be paired with Tesla, Sonnen and Neovolta batteries, just to name a few. Some panels are not as versatile and may have restrictions with what can be done to them, so it’s important to ask and understand who manufactured the panels.

Another important question to ask is how much the previous tenant has been paying for their utility bill. Understanding this can give you foresight into several critical things such as how much you can expect to be spending each month, whether the system is functioning properly, and whether or not the system is sized correctly. If you’re going to be paying extra for a home that has solar installed, you should understand how it is functioning. It’s possible that the system could be old, sized incorrectly, or simply not performing at its peak, which could warrant an upgrade.  There are other factors to consider as electric usage is different for everyone and different for each family.  At least knowing how it is working can give you an idea of what to expect.

Going solar is always a good choice, and it’s crucial to understand how you’re going solar before you go. If you’re purchasing a property that already has solar installed, you need to ask whether the system is leased or owned, who installed the system, who manufactured the panels and how much the previous owner was paying for their utility bill. Understanding these things will allow you to make the best possible decision for your purchase.

If you end up buying a home with solar installed and you’re in need of servicing or adding more panels, give SolarTech a call. We’ve been in business for over 20 years, and we’re well equipped to take care of your solar needs. For more information, click the link below or give us a call at (619) 743-9193.