Florida is inundated with solar contractors. Choosing a reputable contractor can be a confusing process. The Florida Solar Energy Industries Association provides a list of solar contractors in your area.

SECO Energy recommends choosing a contractor who is licensed and insured. Visit Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to verify a contractor’s license.

Conduct thorough research about the contractor. Read the reviews posted on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List. Visit the contractor’s website and read the reviews on their Facebook page. Ask your friends or neighbors for a recommendation or try your local NextDoor.com platform.

Choose at least three contractors to quote your solar project. The contractor should review your average utility consumption before sizing your solar system (number of panels). You can print copies or save PDFs of historical bills from SmartHub.  The contractor should provide a detailed cost breakdown, return on investment, maintenance schedule and realistic figures on the amount of energy installed panels will produce.

Check your contractor’s math. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Solar panels do not produce power during nighttime, during cloudy afternoon thunderstorms and chilly early mornings. Utility-supplied power from SECO stands ready during these times.

During a utility outage, interconnected solar systems without a battery back-up are inoperable. This is a necessary safety precaution to stop power backfeed from solar systems onto SECO facilities that could injure or kill utility workers.