Tips to hire the right solar panel installer

Installing solar panels is a smart, not to mention, eco-friendly way to heat your home. However, buying them may be too pricey for the average consumer. They cost roughly $25,000 ... and that includes a potential 30-percent tax credit.

Looking to turn up the heat, but don't want to get burned by the big investment? You're in luck.

It's important to do your homework and to make sure you hire the right solar installer before shelling out the cold, hard cash. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through the complexities of selecting the right installer.

1. Certification Make sure the solar panel installer is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) before committing. The NABCEP maintains high standards and requires all of their installers to pass an exam before they're given the greenlight. Some legit installers aren't a part of the NABCEP, but make sure they have the proper training from panel-centric groups like the Solar Living Institute or Solar Energy International.

2. Subcontracting
While the installer may be certifed by the NABCEP, make sure that he or she isn't subcontracting the work to outside groups who aren't certified.

3. Insurance
Is the installer insured in case of an accident? Before you allow the installer to work on your home, make sure they have general liability insurance before signing up.

4. Shop around
It's important to request multiple bids before selecting an installer. Make sure the bids explicitly state how much you'll save on your energy bill after adding solar panels to your home. It may be worth the extra investment if the payback higher by using higher quality products or offers an extended warranty (it generally takes up to 10 years to finance a solar-panel system).

5. Location
Is the solar panel installer regional? Knowing the environment and typical weather patterns of your area is a must when selecting the right solar installer.

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New Jersey Meadowlands Commission going solar

Things over at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission are looking up... to the sun, that is.

On Wednesday, February 24, the Commission announced its decision to use solar power to help generate power for municipalities in the area. According to the plan, a landfill, a parking lot and standing buildings will be used to generate energy.

Lori Grifia, acting chairman of the NJMC and acting commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs in a release exclaims, "Through these creative and forward-thinking programs the NJMC can better help Meadowlands District municipalities conserve energy and save taxpayer dollars. As a driver of economic growth and environmental responsibility, renewable energy production is critical to our state's fiscal and environmental future."

This isn't the beginning of a solar power initiative for the area. Suitable structures for solar panels were pointed out back in 2008 by the NJMC.

A pilot Municipal Solar Assistance Program was created as well, in order to help school districts and municipal buildings begin to use renewable resources. The NJMC paid for rooftop assessments in order to see if a building's roof would qualify for solar panels. The assessments paid for include two fire companies, the Department of Public Works, a library, a senior center, a high school, a middle school and Jefferson, Roosevelt and Washington schools. The results of the assessment are still under review by the NJMC.

Robert Ceberio, a NMC executive director states in a release, "The NJMC has long advocated renewable and alternative energy proects as crucial to shaping an economically and environmentally sustainable Meadowlands. We are thoroughly committed to using our resources to help produce clean energy, cost savings and economic development throughout the region."

The goal of the initiative is to use renewable energy, and to have the generated energy be a cost savings for taxpayers. The initiative is already underway. The 1A landfill in Kearny has a plan in the works. The commission hopes to construct a solar array on it. A plan is being constructed for private developers who want to include solar components as well, enabling a reduction in NJMC development fees.

Councilman Steve Tanelli says, "I think it's a great idea, a lot of towns are doing it. If we get solar power to generate energy for the borough it will definitely be a cost savings for taxpayers."

Leasing solar panels to heat your house?

Want to incorporate solar technology to heat your home, but can't afford the steep investment costs? You're in luck. Let the solar panel company finance it for you.

Installing solar panels is a smart, not to mention, eco-friendly way to heat your home. However, buying them may be too pricey for the average consumer. They cost roughly $25,000 ... and that includes a potential 30-percent tax credit.

For a few years now, companies have been leasing solar panels to homeowners. The consumer pays a $1000 deposit, and then follows through with a monthly fee. The lease for the solar panels lasts 18 years, according to an article in the Christian Science Monitor. If you decide to sell your home before your solar panel lease is up, you can sell your excess back to the company.

The pros? There's no installation charge. According to an article in the Boston Globe, there's viable proof that a homeowner can earn back the investment in three years.

The cons? The company, not the homeowner, receives the tax benefits of owning the solar panels. If you have white winters, you will have to remove the snow from your leased panels.

And, the obvious trade-off, is that you won't save as much money as you would if you paid for them outright.