Picking a Solar Installer: The Do's and Don'ts (2026)

Why the Installer Matters More Than the Panels

Solar panels are commoditized — most Tier 1 panels perform within a few percent of each other. What actually determines whether your system produces well for 25 years is the installer: their design skill, their electrical work, their permitting knowledge, and whether they'll still exist to honor the workmanship warranty in year 12. Roughly half of solar installers active in 2018 are no longer in business today.

Do's — What to Verify Before Signing

• Verify the installer's state contractor license number is active
• Check they carry general liability and workers' comp insurance
• Confirm they hold NABCEP certification (industry gold standard)
• Read reviews across Google, BBB, and SolarReviews — not just their own site
• Ask how long they've been installing solar (not just how long the company has existed)
• Confirm the workmanship warranty is 10+ years and transferable
• Ask who handles service calls after install — the installer or a third party

Don'ts — Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

• Door-to-door reps who won't leave until you sign
• Any installer who can't name the exact panel and inverter brand
• Companies that subcontract the install to a crew they've never worked with
• 'Limited-time' pricing that expires the same day
• No physical office or license visible on their website
• Refusal to provide references from installs 5+ years old
• Pressure to switch from your chosen equipment to their 'preferred' brand

How Sunlink Removes the Guesswork

Every installer in the Sunlink network is pre-vetted against a stricter version of the checklist above — license, insurance, NABCEP, 5+ years installing, transferable workmanship warranty, and verified customer reviews. We continuously monitor performance across installs and remove contractors who slip on quality or communication. When you check out, we match you to the top-rated verified installer in your ZIP — you don't have to interview five companies to find one good one.

What Happens If Your Installer Goes Out of Business?

This is the hidden nightmare of buying solar the traditional way — if your installer folds, your workmanship warranty vanishes with them. Sunlink's warranty is backed at the network level: if the original installer becomes unavailable, we route service to another verified contractor in the network at no cost to you. That protection is built into every Sunlink install and continues through Sunlink Care+ membership.