Calling all sceptics wondering, “what does a solar installer do?” Quick answer: installers (usually referred to as PV installers or solar installers) assemble, install, and maintain solar panel systems. As you well know, solar power is used to generate large amounts of power on a utility scale and to supply individual residences and businesses with electricity. If you are planning to invest in a solar energy system, keep reading to learn a little more about how solar installers like Alumo Energy go about the installation process.

What Does A Solar Installer Do: The Role Of A Solar Installer

• An initial assessment of the property to gauge what is best for each client’s individual needs.
• Prepare the site for solar installation.
• Design the installation based on the type of system, usage and roof space/orientation.
• Contribute information for relevant permits.
• Safely attach solar panels to the roofs of houses or other buildings.
• Work with power tools and hand tools at heights.
• Installing inverter(s) and energy storage if storage is required.
• Connect solar system to electrical system of premises.
• Evaluate installation and issue certificate of compliance.
• Check and troubleshoot systems once installed.

Choosing A Solar Installer

When you select a solar installer, you want to know that it is a reputable company, with a strong track record, that has all the appropriate licenses and certifications required in your Province. They should also have the expertise to design the custom solar energy system that is right for your needs. 

At Alumo Energy, we commission trusted in-house electricians to ensure our installations comply with all applicable standards and regulations.

What Distinguishes The Best Solar Installer?

When you have narrowed down your options to reputable installers, and are trying to decide which quote to move forward with, here are three final considerations that distinguish the best from the rest:

Workmanship Warranties: What’s covered and for how long?

In the unlikely event there’s an issue with your solar panel system, it’s important to know who to call. Multiple different warranties come with your solar energy system, from manufacturer warranties for different components to workmanship warranties from your solar installer. 

Be sure to check with your installer to see what’s included in the warranty, if there are any exclusions, and if there’s any cost to you in the event they have to come out and check on or replace some equipment. At Alumo Energy, we provide annual on-site inspections so that your system is always running at its very best.

Another important consideration is to be sure to ask who will install the system – be it their own crew or subcontractors – and, if they use subs, ask why they do so, what portion of the installation the subcontractors will complete, and what oversight the company you purchase your system from has over the subcontractors. At the end of the day, the most important question is who will stand behind the quality of your installation. At Alumo Energy, we offer an in-house team with a dedicated foreman to install your system, ensuring it operates perfectly

Expertise: How does each solar installer tailor their system to your needs?

Beyond ensuring that your solar installer has all of the appropriate licenses and industry-specific certifications, it’s important to work with a solar installer who has experience custom designing systems to fit their customers’ needs. When you are comparing your options, the best installers will work with you to understand your needs, as well as how solar fits your overall energy plans. Make sure your solar installer provides a consultative, professional solar experience.

What Alumo Energy Offers And The Process That Follows:

We live to educate, inspire and enable South Africans to break free and be more energy efficient, one home at a time. We are a team of green-collar workers who combine engineering skills, unmatched craftsmanship and dedicated client service to provide efficient end-to-end home energy solutions. Taking into account a household’s entire energy journey, we plan, design and implement the best solution for each home and back this up with incredible support and maintenance for years to come.

Alumo Energy designs and executes the optimal energy solution for your home with professional support from trained and qualified in-house installation teams. We have qualified, expert engineers who apply their training, knowledge and experience to every project. We take our customers seriously and our dedicated client service team is always willing to help. Our amazing back office team is constantly developing and researching new technologies to ensure our customers are always switched on with the best there is to offer.

We pride ourselves in our In-house trained implementation fleet, who are always committed to ensuring a quick and stress-free installation.

The Alumo Energy Installation Process: From Start To Finish

Site Assessment – Our solar advisors need to assess your property to determine what the optimal setup for your property will be, by advising on the inverter location, determining the most productive panel location and orientation, and inspecting the distribution board to determine if additional rewiring will be necessary. Our solar advisors also need to investigate any potential obstacles that may prevent your panels from getting optimal sunlight.

Quote and Design – Using the images and measurements taken from the site inspection, we can then generate an accurate quote and design plan. The design plan will show you where the solar installers will be working.

Accept Quote – Once you have received your quote, it will need to be accepted before we can move forward with the process.

Credit Check – If you are happy with the quote and ready to accept, you will receive a link where you can submit all the documents we need to process your credit check.

Approval and Next Steps – After your credit check has been cleared and approved, you will then receive a rental agreement to sign.

Payment – Before signing the agreement, ensure that you read the Ts & Cs. If you are happy with everything in the contract, sign where it is indicated and then send through your proof of payment. A digital signature will do, keeping the process entirely paperless for your convenience.

Booking – Once we have received all the necessary documents and the initiation fee, we will give you a call to finalise the booking for our solar installers to start.

Installation – On the date that has been booked for your installation, our solar installers will arrive to begin the exciting part of the process.

Solar Installer: Health And Environmental Benefits Of Solar Energy

If you are still on the fence about whether to get a solar installer in, let us have a look at some of the many benefits you can look forward to when you have a solar energy system on your property.

Solar Energy Saves Water

Like the scare we had in Cape Town not too long ago, we are always at a close risk of running short of water. Regular electricity production entirely depends on water. So many thousands of litres of water are used during production to cool off generators, refine fuel, and to help transport the fuel in pipes.

Solar panels, on the other hand, need no water to convert sunlight into energy. The more people who install and switch to solar energy, the more our precious commodity is saved.

Climate Change Is Slowed By Solar Energy 

Toxic gasses produced during the generation of electricity enhance the greenhouse effect, not to mention air pollution. The greenhouse effect takes place when the earth’s surface is warmed to high temperatures and we are the ones responsible for this. The use of solar energy reduces these human activities and in doing so reduces the effects of climate change.

Solar Energy Generates No Air Pollution

During the production of electricity, there are many by-products emitted into the atmosphere threatening the natural air we depend on. These carbon dioxide and methane gasses are toxic and endanger our health daily. 

Solar Energy Reduces Reliance On Fossil Fuels

Installing the proper solar panels means that your home can run with a limited or almost zero need for electricity. If everyone can install solar panels, then the dependence on fossil fuels will be cut down and the dangers it poses to us on a global level too.

Demand Meets Supply 

Energy demands are high during the day and drop significantly in the night. Solar energy is ready to use daily and can even be produced in excess, then stored in a backup battery for future use. You just need to invest in powerful batteries and a hybrid inverter.

Improved Security Of The Power Grid

The more people who use solar energy equates to the demand for electricity going down. The burden of supply eases, and the power grid has fewer problems to deal with like blackouts or voltage dips – no fires or overloads on transformers and no fires in substations.

Economic Savings

Since solar energy is harnessed from nature, namely; the sun, the costs of production, distribution, and maintenance are greatly reduced. After your initial installation, which must be done well to ensure maximum output and efficiency, you have no more bills to settle — only an unlimited supply of clean power.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

The sun produces 173,000 terawatts of solar per second, which is 10,000 more than the amount of electricity produced in the whole world. Solar energy is constant and will never run out. It can be used repeatedly as long as the sun is shining.

Fossil fuels are not renewable. They may be available in plenty today, but will inevitably run out sooner than later. Greenhouse gas emissions are also responsible for over 72 grams of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to a kWh of electricity generated.

Any solar power plant also has an average environmental footprint of about 20gm of CO2 for every kilowatt-hour of electricity generated on top of consuming large water amounts. This is far lower than the carbon footprint created by electricity production.

As far as your personal carbon footprint is concerned, this relates to the amount of carbon gas emitted as a result of your choices or activities. It is influenced by how much energy you use each day and your transportation habits. As an individual, there are so many ways to reduce your carbon footprint and benefit the world at large, and one of those ways is going solar.

Conclusion

You’ve received the experts answer to, “what does a solar installer do?” With all the above benefits and advantages of using a professional solar installer, we are confident you will make the right choice and contact Alumo Energy today!