[This post is part of a series about our net-zero residential solar project – to see a list of links to the full Solar Project series, click here or to bring up a list of all green-themed posts, click here.]
I have been getting enough questions from the blog readers and neighbors that it is time to do a frequently asked questions list. I have divided the common questions into four groups: practical questions, financial questions, technology questions, project questions and philosophical questions. These are the Project-related and Philosophical Questions.
Project Questions
Q: How did you choose your installer?
The company I chose to work with is called Independent Power Systems. I chose IPS for four reasons:
- They did an excellent job on the installation of a friend’s system, he recommended them highly, and I liked the company representatives I met at the event celebrating the switch-on of his system;
- They have been in business since 1996, operate in several states out West in addition to Massachusetts, and they have done over 1000 installations, so they appeared unlikely to go out of business overnight unlike many of the newer installers which have popped up more recently;
- They offer an industry-leading 15 year warranty on their workmanship (on top of that, the manufacturer gives 25 on the panels); and
- They are an Elite Dealer for SunPower panels which were the panels I wanted to use because of their excellent design and efficiency; in fact, SunPower was the only kind of panel they use on their jobs. (return to list of questions)
Q: How did you choose your type of panel?
I wanted SunPower panels because they are high-efficiency panels which generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional panels. They are also well made, and are accompanied by very high quality rack systems and mounting hardware. The are also decent looking. (return to list of questions)
Philosophical Questions
Q: Why do this?
Set a good example for our children, make money, benefit the environment, insulate ourselves from rising power costs. See The Solar Project – Where It All Began. (return to list of questions)
Q: How did you get started with this?
Life-long dream. The recent improvements in panel efficiency and reduction in panel costs plus the increase in state and federal incentives were what pushed me over the edge. See The Solar Project – Where it All Began, The Solar Project – This Might Actually Be Possible (MA) and The Solar Project – This Might Actually Be Possible (Federal & Macroeconomic). (return to list of questions)
[This post is part of a series about our net-zero residential solar project – to see a list of links to the full Solar Project series, click here or to bring up a list of all green-themed posts, click here.]
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