Not all solar quotes are created equal!
And not every company will tell you what to watch out for when choosing your solar installer. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide on the top 5 questions you should always ask when going solar. Whether you want to go solar with us, or are shopping around still, we want you to go in prepared!
Ready to go solar? As the leading local solar installer, with over a decade of experience and more than 3,000 systems installed across New York State, including residential, commercial and government, we know solar is one of the best long-term investments you can make for your home. Choosing your solar installer is a big decision – one we want you to make confidently.
We know what sets a great solar experience apart – and how to spot the red flags early. Before you sign any solar contract, be sure to ask these 5 questions:
What We'll Look at:
1. Who is selling you the system and installing it? And who handles post-installation support and service?
2. What equipment will be installed? And what warranties are available?
3. What incentives and financing options are available?
4. Is your roof ready for solar?
5. Have you gotten a second (or even third!) quote?
1. Who is selling you the system and installing it? And who handles post-installation support and service?
This is when you should be doing a bit of research into the company – even a few quick google searches will do.
Does the person selling you the system work directly for the company they are representing? Or are they 1099 sales reps? At Kasselman Solar, we have a dedicated in-house team for the solar process, which means our team works directly with you from start to finish. Our team of sales reps are all W-2 employees, which is great for many reasons, but especially since this drives accountability and honesty in our pricing and services. Our sales engineers work directly for us meaning post-sale they are still available for any questions or assistance! Some of our competitors – PlugPV, Empire Solar, Infinity Solar, and Empower Energy Solutions to name a few – have been noted to use 1099 sales engineers, especially some of the larger companies with wide reach. Be sure to ask the sales engineer you are speaking with, are both your sales and installation teams W-2 employees? This can bring great insight into how that company operates.
For the solar installation and post-installation support, does the company have a dedicated team? At Kasselman Solar we have an in-house installation team and service department. We even provide a dedicated portal for our installed customers regarding potential service issues with resources. Over the years, we have even removed and replaced solar systems of other companies which didn’t offer the service, went out of business, or similar, and left customers stranded.
When choosing a solar installer, longevity and stability of the company are some of the most important aspects in ensuring your solar system is taken care of throughout its lifetime!
“Sometimes, bigger is not always better. It’s easy to gravitate toward large name-brand companies like Tesla, Sunrun, ADT Solar, or SunPower. But it’s small, local solar energy installers that are often the best choice (2).” – Solar Reviews
Taking a brief look at the list of larger installers Solar Reviews indicated above, gives insight into why a large installer isn’t generally the best choice. ADT Solar actually closed its solar division in 2024. ADT only joined the solar industry from 2021 until January 2024 when they announced a full exit from the solar industry (4). When solar companies go out of business, or leave the industry, this can be of concern to their past customers as often times warranties will be in jeopardy and post-installation support will be lacking or non-existent (5).
SunPower, another former large solar company, officially declared bankruptcy in August 2024. Their assets and name were eventually acquired by Complete Solaria, Inc., another solar company, after its bankruptcy (6). Want to learn more on SunPower? Continue reading in our article, “Large U.S. Solar Company Declares Bankruptcy.” Sunnova also appears to be heading toward bankruptcy after its CEO suddenly stepped down, following the similar pattern of other large companies (8).
When choosing a solar installer, you want to look at more than just how the company is performing today. Time in the solar industry, locality and regional expertise, company size, reputation and reviews and more all require consideration. No matter how you go solar, the installer you choose today will be who you’re with for 20+ years down the line during your warranty period!
2. What equipment will be installed? And what warranties are available?
Not all solar panels are created equal. Different solar panels and equipment may affect your energy production, warranties available, and support if an issue comes up down the line. Checking the product warranties in addition to your solar company’s warranties will benefit you in the long run.
At Kasselman Solar we use trusted brands that offer long term warranties for peace of mind. Our installations, including the solar panels, are under manufacturer warranty for 25 years.
We also provide system monitoring for you once your solar system is installed. This means that with the monitoring app, if an issue arises with your solar system, you can get notified right in your pocket. The sooner you notify us of any rising issues, the sooner our service team can resolve the problem.
3. What incentives and financing options are available?
While solar is an expensive investment, it can be more affordable than you think. From the federal tax credit to New York State specific rebates and tax credits and more, there are many ways to lower the upfront cost.
A great solar installer will be knowledgeable in local and federal incentives to help you maximize your savings. Solar companies local to your region are generally most knowledgeable, while larger national companies may be unfamiliar with certain State policies. Speaking to a tax professional and doing some of your own research can be helpful as well to ensure you’re getting the full picture of all possible savings.
Although the upfront cost of solar may seem high, many finance their solar system with a loan instead of cash purchasing upfront. But be wary of loans, especially predatory lending, extended loan periods or excessively high rates. And be sure to get a few quotes to compare! The best way to ensure you are getting the best deal for your system is to get multiple quotes to compare costs and financing. At Kasselman Solar, our team is happy to help you compare our quote to a competitor’s quote!
Another thing to watch out for are claims of “free solar”. If you’ve done your research, you’ll know while solar is a fantastic investment, it certainly isn’t free! These claims are often referring to solar leases instead of owning the system. Read more about the cost of solar in our post, “Owning Solar Isn’t Free – But That’s a Good Thing”. With a lease, you are still saving, however you will be drastically limited in your savings since you do not own the system. To claim the federal and state incentives and tax credits, you must own the system.
4. Is your roof ready for solar?
Make sure you have a good foundation (literally!). And we don’t mean your home’s foundation, though that’s important, too. Your roof is the foundation for solar panels, so it is vital that your roof is in good condition for a solar installation.
As you’re thinking about installing solar, you should be looking at your roof! Depending on the age and material of your roof, it is sometimes best to replace your roof prior to installing solar. If you’ll likely need to replace your roof in a few years anyway, it can be easier and more cost effective to do this now before installing solar! If something unexpected occurs down the line, you need to replace your roof, we offer services to uninstall your solar, and then reinstall after the new roof is on or repairs have occurred.
Will you need to cut down any trees to maximize energy production? The most common culprit for blocking sun from your panels is trees! Luckily this can be combated easily if it is an issue by taking down a few trees to allow for more sunlight to directly reach your panels. If you’re unsure of if trees need to be cut down, our expert team can work with you to determine if this is necessary.
5. Have you gotten a second (or even third!) quote?
We ALWAYS recommend getting at least one additional quote before choosing a solar installer – even if you’re already leaning towards us! Comparing proposals can help you better understand what goes into the price and confirm why you’re choosing a particular installer. This can ensure you’re not overpaying or underpaying and getting the best quality.
We’re happy to explain how our quote compares to others on the table. Getting another quote can be one of the best ways to ensure you end up with the best possible option. If you don’t get multiple quotes, you’re putting full trust into one company, which could be great or terrible – you just won’t know unless you’re able to compare.
An article by EnergySage, “Why compare solar quotes? The benefits explained”, is a great resource with further information on how to compare solar quotes.
According to EnergySage, most U.S. solar customers compare 2-5 solar quotes before making a purchase (1). This can help you maximize savings, choose the best quality, support and more! Getting another quote can only improve your solar experience.
Choose your solar installer with confidence
Going solar is a big decision – but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By asking the right questions, doing your research, and comparing quotes, you can feel confident that you’re making the best long-term investment for your home, wallet, and the planet.
Take the time to read reviews, talk to neighbors, and listen to past customers. Real experiences can give you valuable insight into what working with a company is really like. Just be sure to look at the full picture when reading reviews. Consistent patterns that show in reviews are what really counts! How did the vast majority feel about their experience? Check out our solar installation map and see where we have installed near you!
And even more importantly, don’t rush your decision. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Choosing a solar installer is not something to take lightly! At Kasselman Solar, we’ve helped thousands of New Yorkers go solar with confidence. With over a decade of experience, a fully in-house team and a reputation built on trust, transparency and results, we’re ready to help you start saving with solar.
- https://www.energysage.com/solar/why-compare-solar-quotes/
- https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/how-to-compare-solar-quotes
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar
- https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/01/adt-solar-to-close-remaining-branches-exit-residential-solar-business/#:~:text=After%20closing%20a%20majority%20of,List%2C%20based%20on%20kilowatts%20installed.
- https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/your-solar-company-went-out-of-business-now-what/
- https://us.sunpower.com/update
- https://www.woodmac.com/reports/power-markets-global-solar-pv-market-outlook-update-q1-2025-150366338
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2025/03/17/lights-out-for-sunnova-bankruptcy-looms-after-ceo-bergers-exit/
