Step by Step Guide to Choosing a Tampa Solar Power Company

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Going solar in Tampa is far easier than it was ten years ago. Tampa solar power companies have streamlined the process, making everything from installation to financing efficient. Still, unless you've been in the game or spent time researching the industry, it can be hard to know how the process works. That's why we've made a guide to choosing a Tampa solar power company.

Find a Tampa Solar Power Company

Step one is where you have to get the ball rolling yourself; after that, your chosen Tampa solar power company will do the hard work. Finding a Tampa solar company requires you to make your own judgments about who you can trust based on their reputation and communication with you.

Find a Licenced Tampa Solar Power Company 

When browsing through the Tampa solar power companies you find on Google searching for “Tampa Solar”, don't settle for anything less than a fully accredited and licensed solar provider. Head to their website, look at their footer or about page and check for evidence of: 

  • Engineering certifications
  • Certified Solar PV Installer by The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
  • State Certified Solar Contractor
  • Approved by the American National Standards Institute

Reviews

Read their Google customer reviews. This will reveal a lot about their ongoing service, attitudes towards customers and any red flags. 

Experience

Choose a Tampa solar power company with at least 10-15 years of experience. This suggests they have a well-oiled machine in place, with genuine care for the local community and their solar industry investments. They're not going to suddenly crumble mid-installation as so many customers suffered from when using Brevard Solar.

Ask for Quotes from Your Shortlist

Price matters. When it comes to Tampa solar power companies, quotes can vary in the thousands. By following the previous steps, you should have filtered out any dodgy Tampa solar power companies so you can make decisions based on the best price.

Design and Permitting

Once you've selected your Tampa solar power company, you'll likely have to agree on system size and pay some upfront costs and/or work out the financing. Then, it's time to get to work. Your solar installer should perform 100% of this. They might ask you for your opinion on things, but they should use their engineering skills to design a solar system for your roof without outsourcing or asking you to acquire permits.

 

They'll acquire permits for construction from the relevant Tampa authorities and apply for any incentives available. This can go a long way to helping reduce your up-front costs. Permits are essential for ensuring everything is done legally. Without that, alarm bells should be ringing in your head. If you have any questions or concerns for your Tampa solar power company during this time, now is the time to raise them before the design is finalized!

Tampa Solar Power Installation

Solar installation these days is fast. Depending on your system's size, it could take anywhere from 5 hours to around a week. There is a lot to install, from roofing brackets to wiring, system monitoring devices and the panels themselves. Your Tampa solar power company will consist of engineers and electricians trained to do their relatively dangerous jobs, so you don't have to. 

Powering Up!

Once the installation is complete, you'll be desperate to fire up the solar panels to start enjoying clean, renewable energy. Sadly, it's rarely that simple. Getting your solar system connected to the grid can be tedious and take a few days or weeks. An assessment specialist from the utility company might be required to inspect the installation. Thankfully the best Tampa solar power companies have a streamlined system in place, so it should be up and running in under a week. Once all the technical boxes are ticked and paperwork are filled, you'll be able to flick the switch and begin your new life as a solar owner!

Tampa Solar Power Maintenance

If you took step one seriously and hired the best Tampa solar power companies, you'll have little to no maintenance. They should check in from time to time to ensure everything is working properly and provide new parts or wiring if needed. In most cases, a quality Tampa solar power installation should last for 25 plus years! On your side, you might need to clean the solar panels in 10 or so years with a hose and sponge. When cleaning your solar panels, take care not to damage them as this could void your warranty - that means no abrasive materials or harsh chemicals. If in any doubt, ask your Tampa solar power company if they can clean them for you, or can suggest any professional solar power cleaners. 

Monitoring

System monitoring is one of the best things about going solar, as you gain the ability to see how much energy your solar panels are generating and how much is being fed back into the grid. Your Tampa solar power company should provide you with an app or monitoring device that displays how many kWh your solar panels make and their current status. In most cases, you'll make money back from the grid due to that excess energy! 

Tampa Solar Power Incentives

There are a number of incentives that can make investing in solar in Tampa more affordable. The biggest and most notable one is the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This federal tax credit has proved extremely helpful for new Tampa solar owners in recent years but sadly is set to phase out in the next few years. 2020 is the final year to get a 26% reduction on solar installations thanks to the ITC. By 2022, it will drop to 0%. Now is the time to act.

As a Tampa solar power owner, you'll need to file for these reductions yourself on your annual tax return by collecting any receipts related to the cost of installation. You must fill out the IRS Form 5965 and add the Tax Credits to Form 1040. 

You may also be eligible for rebates, property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions and performance payments. Ask your Tampa solar power company for more information specific to your circumstances.

Florida Power Services

"The Solar Power Company"

503 E Jackson St

Tampa, FL 33602

(727) 667-9955

www.floridapowerservices.com

Florida Power Services

"The Solar Power Company"

500 S Belcher Rd

Largo, FL 33771

(727) 667-9955

www.floridapowerservices.com

Florida Power Services

"The Solar Power Company"

415 62nd St NW

Bradenton, FL 34209

(727) 667-9955

www.floridapowerservices.com

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