How to Choose the Best Solar Installer: 6 Things Every Buyer Should Know

Choosing a solar installer is about more than comparing prices and the number of panels on a roof. Whether you’re installing solar on your home, commercial building, warehouse, or multi-unit property, the company you choose will influence how well your system performs, how your roof is protected, and who you can turn to if something goes wrong years down the road.

With more solar companies entering the Alberta market, it can be difficult to know what separates a good installer from a great one. Proposals may look similar at first glance, but the equipment, installation practices, warranties, and business standards behind them can vary significantly.

Before signing a contract, here are six things worth looking into.

Not all solar equipment is created equal, and the best system isn’t necessarily the one with the most panels or the highest wattage.

When comparing proposals, look beyond the total system size. Ask which solar panels, inverters, and racking systems are being used, and why they were selected for your property.

Solar panels: Compare the manufacturer’s reputation, product specifications, efficiency, degradation rate, and performance in your climate. Alberta properties should also consider how equipment is rated for hail, snow, and temperature extremes. A higher-wattage panel isn’t automatically better if it doesn’t suit your roof or system design.

Inverters: Different technologies, including string inverters, microinverters, and power optimizers, have different advantages. Shading, roof orientation, system size, and future expansion plans can all influence which option makes sense.

For commercial projects, additional considerations may include three-phase electrical service, larger system capacities, demand management, SCADA & utility requirements, and how solar will integrate with the building’s existing electrical infrastructure.

System design: A good installer should explain how the system was sized using your electricity consumption, available roof or ground space, shading, and expected production. For commercial buyers, this may also involve reviewing interval electricity data, operating schedules, and the site’s utility rate structure.

Two quotes with the same number of panels can produce different amounts of electricity depending on the equipment and layout. Ask for the exact equipment models and expected production in writing so you can compare proposals fairly.

At Rocky Mountain Solar Co. (RMSC), equipment selection is based on the property, human-made system designs, and customer’s goals rather than simply choosing the cheapest available components.

Ask who handles warranty claims, whether labour and service costs are included, and what exclusions apply. For commercial systems, also consider potential downtime and lost electricity production during repairs.

Weigh the cost against the benefit. If an installer charges extra for extended coverage, compare that premium with the potential cost of equipment replacement, labour, and future repairs. Longer coverage may be worthwhile for expensive components, but only if the additional protection justifies the price.

Warranty terms can vary depending on the project, equipment, and scope of work. Review the actual warranty documents with your proposal rather than relying on a general advertised warranty period.

The goal is to understand what protection you’re receiving, what it costs, and whether it provides meaningful value for your project.

Your roof is a major asset, and solar should be installed in a way that respects the roof’s condition, materials, structural capacity, and expected lifespan.

Ask your installer how they plan to attach the racking system and protect the roof from water intrusion.

For asphalt shingles, properly designed and installed flashing around roof penetrations is essential. For metal roofs, the approach depends on the roofing profile and system design. Some mounting systems attach directly to structural members, while others use engineered clamps or specialized roof attachments.

Commercial roofing can introduce additional considerations, including membrane systems, standing-seam metal, structural loading, drainage, and manufacturer warranty requirements. Certain roofs may require specialized attachment methods or engineering review. There isn’t one mounting method that works for every property.

Before proceeding, consider asking:

• Will the roof be assessed before installation, including its condition and remaining service life?
• Are the attachment points and racking appropriate for the roofing material and building structure?
• How are roof penetrations sealed and flashed?
• Will the installation affect the existing roof warranty?
• If the roof needs repairs or replacement, who will coordinate the work and handle panel removal and reinstallation?

For commercial buyers, it’s also worth considering how the installation will affect roof access, drainage, maintenance routes, and future mechanical or building upgrades.

If your roof is nearing the end of its service life, it may make financial sense to address it before installing solar. Removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost and requires coordination.

At RMSC, roof care is an important part of the installation process. Our relationship with Lynnwood Roofing, our sister company, gives us access to roofing expertise when a project calls for it. This can be especially helpful when solar and roofing work need to be coordinated on the same property.

Solar installation involves working at heights, handling electrical equipment, and moving materials on and around your property. A professional installer should have appropriate insurance and a clear approach to workplace safety.

Before signing, ask for confirmation of:

Liability insurance: Does the company carry commercial general liability insurance that covers its installation work? Ask whether the coverage is appropriate for the size and nature of your project. Commercial property owners may also have specific insurance or contractor requirements.

Workers’ compensation: In Alberta, ask whether the company and the workers performing the installation have the appropriate Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) coverage or clearance. If subcontractors are involved, ask how their coverage is verified.

Fall protection and site safety: Ask what procedures the crew follows to protect workers, your property, and anyone else on site. For commercial installations, ask how the contractor will manage site access, coordinate with facility operations, and comply with the site’s safety requirements.

These questions aren’t just paperwork. They help you understand whether the company is taking responsibility for the people doing the work and the risks involved.

A lower quote doesn’t necessarily tell you whether a company has adequate insurance, uses qualified workers, or follows proper safety procedures. It’s worth confirming these details directly.

The company that sells your solar system isn’t always the company that installs it.

Some installers use their own employees, while others subcontract the work to separate crews. Neither arrangement automatically means the installation will be good or bad. The important thing is understanding who is responsible for the quality of the work.

Ask:

• Will the installation be completed by your employees or subcontractors?
• Are installers paid hourly, by the project, or through another arrangement?

How installers are paid can influence the incentives on a job. For example, a piece-rate or per-project arrangement may reward speed, while hourly pay can make it easier to account for time spent on careful work. Neither payment method guarantees quality. Training, supervision, reasonable schedules, and accountability matter just as much.

For commercial projects, ask how the contractor manages crew size, project scheduling, and coordination with other trades. A large installation may involve multiple teams, specialized equipment, and a longer construction schedule.

It’s also reasonable to ask whether the company invests in its employees through training, fair compensation, and safe working conditions. Experienced, supported crews are an important part of a reliable installation.

At RMSC, we believe the people installing your system are just as important as the equipment going on your roof. Our approach emphasizes accountability for the work, rather than treating installation as a task to simply outsource and move on from.

Solar is often chosen for its environmental benefits, but the impact of a project extends beyond the electricity it generates.

How does the company treat its employees? Does it support the local economy? Does it operate responsibly, and is it willing to be held accountable for its claims?

These questions can matter to residential buyers choosing who to support, as well as commercial organizations with sustainability commitments, procurement standards, or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

One way to explore a company’s social and environmental commitments is to look for independent certifications. For example, B Corp certification evaluates a business across areas such as governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. It involves an assessment of the company’s broader practices, rather than just the product it sells.

Rocky Mountain Solar Co. became a Certified B Corporation in 2023, following a multi-year process. We see this as part of our commitment to operating responsibly, supporting our employees and community, and continually improving how we do business.

For commercial buyers, a contractor’s social and environmental practices may also be relevant to supplier selection, sustainability reporting, organizational values, or qualifying for full incentives. Certification isn’t a substitute for good workmanship, and it doesn’t mean every certified company is the right fit for every project. But it can offer another useful point of comparison when evaluating businesses.

When you receive multiple solar quotes, it’s tempting to focus on the bottom line. Price matters, but it should be considered alongside the equipment, system design, installation quality, warranty coverage, safety practices, and the company’s long-term accountability.

For residential projects, that may mean comparing expected electricity production, roof protection, and the quality of the installation.

For commercial projects, it may also mean assessing the system’s fit with your energy use, electrical infrastructure, building operations, maintenance requirements, and long-term business objectives.

A useful way to compare proposals is to ask each installer the same questions and make sure you’re comparing equivalent equipment and scope of work.

At Rocky Mountain Solar Co., we believe buyers should feel informed and confident before making a decision. We encourage you to compare proposals, ask questions, and understand what each installer is offering. Our goal isn’t simply to put panels on a roof. It’s to deliver a well-designed system, install it responsibly, and be there to support it for years to come.