| It's not difficult to see the appeal of using solar | | | | solar power installers. Similarly, homeowners in |
| power to meet our domestic energy needs: it | | | | Oregon wishing to receive Energy Trust's |
| utilizes a natural energy source (the sun) and | | | | incentives must have their system installed by an |
| thereby avoids any environmental damage that | | | | Energy Trust approved contractor. The Oregon |
| can result from the energy being generated via | | | | Department of Energy maintains a list of tax |
| traditional means. The use of solar power for the | | | | credit-certified solar technicians. Many |
| home has become increasingly prevalent in recent | | | | state-certified solar technicians are also Energy |
| years and particularly in dry landscapes that have | | | | Trust trade ally contractors. |
| an abundance of sunshine such as Australia or the | | | | In Australia, in order to qualify for the solar power |
| state of California. For the majority of home | | | | rebate, the person who carries out the installation |
| owners however, installing a solar heating system | | | | of the solar panels must be accredited for design |
| without professional assistance is not a viable | | | | and installation of photovoltaic systems by the |
| option. There are a number of things to consider | | | | Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). A |
| such as adequate cable size, correct fusing (every | | | | list of BCSE accredited designers and installers is |
| circuit should be protected by a fuse or circuit | | | | available from the Clean Energy Council - or |
| breaker), the positioning of batteries and the | | | | alternately you could contact a designer/installer |
| correct positioning of the solar panels. Attempting | | | | and ask for proof of their accreditation. |
| to do all this by yourself and not getting it exactly | | | | As is always the case when dealing with any type |
| right will result in a less than optimum | | | | of contractor, personal attention and |
| performance of your solar power system. As | | | | responsiveness are important. If you find that one |
| such, it is prudent to call on the assistance of a | | | | solar contractor seems to be able to |
| solar power installer or solar contractor. | | | | communicate more clearly and is more responsive |
| The question that then arises is: "How do I go | | | | than others, you will probably want to take this |
| about finding a reliable solar power installer?" | | | | into consideration when making your choice. |
| There is help at hand depending on where you | | | | Ultimately you want to be able to deal with a |
| happen to be located. The California Energy | | | | contractor that can design a system for your |
| Commission maintains a list of registered installers | | | | home, sell you the solar modules and install them. |
| on its Web site. California's solar rebates are | | | | To do this you will need to find a contractor that |
| available only to homeowners who use installers | | | | has a good track record and a load of good |
| registered with the state, and all those | | | | references. The longevity of their business is also |
| contractors listed on the commission's Web site | | | | important as you'd want to be able to go back to |
| will qualify. You could also check the membership | | | | the same installer in the future, should you |
| roster of the California Solar Energy Industries | | | | experience any problems. |
| Association, the trade organization representing | | | | |