Hiring a solar contractor

As of July 2023, Minnesota law requires all companies that install solar panels on homes to have a residential building contractor or remodeler license. This license protects you by allowing you to claim money from the Contractor Recovery Fund if the company goes out of business or fails to complete your installation. The electrical parts of your solar installation must be done by a Minnesota licensed electrical contractor.

Verify contractor qualifications

IMPORTANT: As of July 1, 2023:

- Companies must have a residential building contractor or remodeler license

- Electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor

- Verify licenses at [license lookup tool link coming soon]

Start your search by looking up contractors on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's License Lookup Tool. Verify the contractor holds the necessary license to perform the work you want. The license lookup will show you when the company got their license, where they are based and who the responsible individual is for that company. Pay close attention to these details because they can inform you about potential risks.

The age of a business matters. According to Bureau of Labor statistics, about 20% of businesses fail in their first year, nearly half fail within five years and 65% fail within ten years. A contractor's years in business can indicate their stability. If they've been licensed for less than two years, make sure they have solid experience working for other contractors before starting their own business.

Be cautious about hiring contractors based far from your home, especially those from other states. If something goes wrong, out-of-state contractors can be harder to contact for warranty work or repairs. They may also be less familiar with local building codes and requirements. Local contractors often have established relationships with suppliers and inspectors, which can help your project run more smoothly.

After checking the license status, look for any enforcement actions against them. These are listed in the lookup tool and can reveal past problems.

Also check if they have additional certifications from respected organizations like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) or the Building Performance Institute (BPI). These certifications show their commitment to professional standards.

Research the contractor's online presence, including their website and social media. Read reviews but be aware that some online reviews may be fake or sponsored. The best recommendations often come from friends, family or professionals you trust who have had solar systems installed.
Contract terms and considerations

Ask at least three contractors to give you detailed proposals for your project. Each proposal should tell you exactly what you'll get and what to expect throughout the process. Look for a clear description of your system's size and how much energy it will produce each year. The contractor should provide a complete list of equipment, including the exact brands and model numbers for solar panels, inverters and other components.

Your proposal needs to show all the costs involved. Ask for a clear breakdown that separates equipment costs from labor costs. If you're not paying cash, the contractor should explain your financing options and spell out all the payment terms or additional fees that are involved. They should also give you a realistic estimate of how much money you'll save on energy bills and how long it will take for these savings to pay back your investment.

Pay close attention to information about warranties and ongoing maintenance. The proposal should explain what warranties you'll get for both the equipment and the contractor's work. It should clearly state who is responsible for maintaining the system and provide contact information for getting maintenance help when you need it.

The proposal must include a timeline that shows when installation will begin and when your system will be connected to the power grid. If you're financing your system, read the payment terms carefully. Some contracts require you to start making loan payments before your system is connected and producing power. Make sure your payment schedule is tied to completion of the work, not just the signing of the contract.
Key questions to ask
- Is my roof structure listed on the standard load table or does a professional engineer need to be involved?
- Who is responsible for handling the permits and grid interconnection application?
- What equipment are you using and why?
- How do you handle warranty claims?
- What on going maintenance do you offer?
- How do you ensure roof integrity during and after installation?
After choosing a contractor

Keep copies of all paperwork related to your project. Stay involved during installation and don't hesitate to ask questions. Don't make your final payment until your system is working and has passed inspection. Learn how to monitor your system's performance so you can make sure it's working properly.

A good contractor will be patient with your questions and clear in their answers. If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and keep looking. This is a major investment in your home, and it's worth taking the time to find the right contractor to do it properly.
After choosing a contractor

Keep copies of all paperwork related to your project. Stay involved during installation and don't hesitate to ask questions. Don't make your final payment until your system is working and has passed inspection. Learn how to monitor your system's performance so you can make sure it's working properly.

A good contractor will be patient with your questions and clear in their answers. If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and keep looking. This is a major investment in your home, and it's worth taking the time to find the right contractor to do it properly.
Resources to help on your solar journey
- Clean Energy Resource Teams: Offers fact sheets to determine if solar is right for homes, businesses and farms; information about community solar gardens; special solar guidance for rural Minnesotans and more.
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: A certifying body for solar installers; provides a list of certified solar installers.
- Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association: Represents and serves Minnesota solar energy professionals.
- Minnesota Attorney General’s Office: Offers a range of publications on consumer rights.
- Minnesota Department of Commerce: Provides general information about solar energy in Minnesota; current state and federal clean energy programs, rebates and financial incentives.
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: Provides provides helpful resources about selecting contractors and information on building codes related to solar energy systems.
- Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar: tips from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Solar Photovoltaic System Costs: U.S. Department of Energy website with nationwide data on residential system costs.

Hiring Solar Installers

Hiring a solar contractor

Hiring a contractor checklist

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