This is how you find a reliable solar panel installer: “Contractors older than ten years are rare” | MyGuide

No installer will offer bad solar panels in Belgium today. “Almost all panels – or at least their components – come from Asia and there are also important production centers in the United States,” says Houthoofd.

“The largest American manufacturer is the listed Sunpower Corporation, of which Total partly owns,” the expert continues. “Every certified Sunpower installer must report each installation in detail to the company. This way, as a consumer you can be sure that you are entitled to their full comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty, even if your installer is no longer active in a few years. This makes the company unique in the world.” If you see on the quotation that the contractor uses Sunpower solar panels, you can rest assured.

What about the financial picture? This is the average price you pay for an installation.

In the past, many people found traditional solar panels with their white backs an eyesore. In response, full black solar panels came onto the market. “These solar panels have a black back and a black frame, which provides a smoother appearance. The disadvantage is that those black solar panels heat up faster and their efficiency is therefore slightly lower.”

Calculated for you: that’s how many solar panels you need on your roof.

Glass-glass solar panels combine the best of both worlds. “They look nice and black, but they allow sunlight to pass through the back. This has a positive effect on the temperature of the panel, which in turn gives a better return,” says Houthoofd. “It is also not unimportant that the lifespan of a glass-glass panel is longer, which translates into a manufacturer’s warranty of thirty years.”

Not convinced yet? These nicer alternatives to solar panels are also available.

Just like with solar panels, many different brands offer inverters. “If you choose from the top five most-placed systems, you will be fine. These are Solaredge, Enphase, SMA, Growatt and Huawei.”

The installer will usually suggest that you install the solar panels in series or parallel. “Which system you choose depends on the complexity of the roof, the amount of shade, your budget and your peace of mind. You will pay a little more for a parallel system, but if part of the solar panels are in the shade, you will have little loss of efficiency,” says Houthoofd. “However, if you have a roof where all panels can be oriented on the same plane, a series-connected system will certainly work just as well.”

From the slope to the age: these factors influence the yield of your solar panels.

When comparing quotes, look beyond just the solar panels and inverter. “In addition to the inverter and the panels themselves, the structure for attaching the panels, the cables to the inverter and the connection to the fuse box must also be included in the offer,” says the solar panel expert. “The installer must check whether the differentials are heavy enough and whether there is properly functioning earthing. The entire solar panel installation must be inspected.” Make sure that the installer checks your current electrical installation and includes any adjustments in the quote.

Also ask the installer whether he has all the necessary working materials. “For example, for roofs that are more difficult to reach or high, it is best to ask whether the aerial work platform is included in the price,” Houthoofd adds.

Rent solar panels instead of buying: a smart alternative?

If you have received an interesting quote, check whether you are dealing with a reliable contractor. “After the abolition of green energy certificates in Flanders in 2012, more than 90 percent of specialized companies went bankrupt,” Houthoofd knows. “That is why solar panel contractors older than ten years are rare. In 2020, after the abolition of the reversing counter, and in 2022, at the time of the energy crisis, hundreds of installers returned to the market for opportunistic reasons. Today we see that these new companies are quickly disappearing. I therefore recommend choosing a company that has been active on the market for a long time.”

A final tip from the solar panel expert is to work with a slightly larger company. “A small installer loses its economies of scale in purchasing power and rarely offers guarantees of after-sales service in the longer term,” he concludes. “Moreover, there is a major market consolidation underway, with major players, often supported by investment companies, buying up medium-sized companies. This is positive for the customer, because it gives you more certainty in terms of quality, service and solvency.”

Read more on Livios.be:

Who is still entitled to green energy certificates for solar panels? And for how long?

Cleaning solar panels: what, how and when

How do you know when your solar panels need replacing?

This article was written by our partner Livios.be. Livios.be is an expert site that focuses on construction and renovation.

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