When shopping for solar equipment, ask questions to ensure you're getting the best value.

Many installers utilize solar equipment from high-quality brands that are good at providing warranty coverage and long-term reliability. However, it is always important to double-check.

You should ensure that whatever you install on your roof over the next three decades is built to last and performs well compared to other products.

However, don't be afraid to ask the installer about the equipment they chose. It's something that you should do!

Consider asking the following questions about solar panels and other equipment:

What made you choose the equipment you did?

Does your roof or business have a solar system?

Do the solar panels, inverter, etc. have any warranty protection?

Can you tell me if other homeowners have experienced problems with their solar system?

If something goes wrong with my equipment, who should I contact?

What would the cost of adding a solar battery be?

Can my solar panels be damaged by animals?

Warranties

You can compare solar panel warranties offered by brands by reviewing the warranties they offer. Warranties should at minimum provide 25 years of coverage for power production and ten years of coverage for workmanship.

On their top panels, several manufacturers, like Solaria, LG, and Panasonic, offer a lifetime warranty.

Inverters

A solar string inverter usually comes with a 10-year warranty (although some companies offer additional extensions), so you'll have to replace it at least once.

Just like the panels, micro inverters from companies like Enpahse are warrantied for 25 years. Occasionally, they fail, leaving you without power while you wait for a replacement.

Batteries

Most likely, you won't need a home solar battery; power outages are generally short, so the only thing you'll lose is the convenience and comfort of your electrical appliances for the time being.

However, blackouts in California and Texas have shown that they can be deadly. Having a solar battery can provide peace of mind, even if you won't use it.

Batteries installed at the time of installation of a solar system have some specific advantages. The systems can generally be designed either AC- or DC-coupled. It's not a huge difference, but it's worth exploring.

The labor costs of installing a battery at the same time as solar panels might also be reduced, meaning a battery installed concurrently is likely to be less expensive than one added later.

Additionally, in the future, you will almost certainly be offered AC-coupled batteries (such as the Tesla Powerwall) that store electricity only after it is converted from DC to AC by your solar inverter. The conversion can lead to a small amount of additional power loss, but it is not necessarily bad.

Animals

Consider this question carefully. Normally, solar panel installations are not affected by animals, but your neighborhood squirrels may be extra ornery and like to chew open wires or build nests underneath them.

Animal problems can be dealt with through products available on the market, and your installer can give you recommendations based on other customers' experiences.