Solar panels: Choosing the right photovoltaic company

In order to save energy and be part of the vast project represented by the energy transition, the installation of photovoltaic solar panels is an option that many individuals and companies have chosen. The photovoltaic market has developed rapidly and photovoltaic companies have multiplied so much that it is sometimes difficult to navigate. Getting started with a solar panel installation project takes time and it is not advisable to do it in a rush. You must first estimate your needs, define a budget taking into account government aid, and make a quote from a photovoltaic company. Not easy to find! What is the process for choosing the best PV company and not getting ripped off? The answer in this article!

Find a photovoltaic installer suited to their consumption needs

Estimate your consumption needs

If you intend to install photovoltaic modules on the roof of your house, you should first learn a minimum of the various possibilities available to you. A little booster shot can't hurt you. First of all, you have to gather a series of information that will help you go faster when looking for a photovoltaic company:

• Where do you live?

• What is the area of your roof and is it shaded?

• How many people live in your home?

• What are your annual energy needs?

• What is your budget?

Most of this information will be gathered easily. Regarding your needs, refer to your electricity bills, they are the best indicator of your electricity consumption habits and your lifestyle. In terms of the budget, know that there is government aid for the installation of solar panels to encourage switching to renewable energies and in particular to solar photovoltaic. To be able to benefit from it, however, the selected solar company must meet a number of criteria that we will see in this article. Hence the importance of carefully selecting the installer who will install your solar modules.

Compare photovoltaic companies to avoid scams

Once you see it a little clearer, it's time to do some prospecting to find THE right photovoltaic company. To do this, you can either look for photovoltaic companies located around your home one by one (but you will waste time, especially if you do not know much about solar panels) or go to our solar directory... By consulting it, you can identify certified solar installers in your department or region, selected for their reliability and their compliance with photovoltaic installation standards. All in just a few clicks (we say that we say nothing). This step will give you the advantage of avoiding the fraudulent installers which have multiplied in recent years. Each year, hundreds of complaints are identified for solar panel scams. Some unscrupulous artisans promise unattainable returns, € 1 solar panel, or surreptitiously sign consumer loans with high rates. To avoid falling from a height, it is, therefore, better to find out beforehand and use the right resources. Our solar directory lists reliable installers, it is the result of long-term work carried out by our photovoltaic experts to contact and assess a large number of French photovoltaic companies.

What criteria must a photovoltaic company meet?

Make a quote: the first step to choosing a photovoltaic company

You have set your sights on several installers. Now is the time to make quotes. Each photovoltaic company must provide you with an adapted and detailed estimate. The latter is based on a feasibility study carried out by the installer, which takes into account a lot of information related to your needs, the inclination of your roof, your geographical location and varies according to the equipment used (solar panels, inverters ) and the network connection made, etc. The amount of the quote and the type of solar installation offered will also depend on what you want to do with the electricity produced by your future photovoltaic solar panels:

• Partial self-consumption

• Total self-consumption

• Total sale

Keep in mind that photovoltaic installations will indeed allow you to save energy and reduce your electricity bill. But it comes at a cost. Note that a 3 kWp solar photovoltaic installation costs on average between € 7,500 and € 9,500 and between € 12,000 and 14,000 for a 6 kWp installation. So beware of false promises or exorbitant amounts.

How to recognize a certified photovoltaic company?

Finding a company with all the certifications and meeting all the standards in force is essential. This will allow you, on the one hand, to be able to benefit from government aid as well as the purchase tariffs of EDF Obligation d'Achat (in the context of total or partial resale). On the other hand, it will show you that the installer is trustworthy and that it will provide you with a working installation. The certifications that the photovoltaic company you have chosen must have are as follows:

• Recognized Guarantor of the Environment (RGE): RGE is a label that attests to the quality and expertise of a photovoltaic company. To obtain this label, craftsmen must follow training related to energy renovation and renewable energies (including solar energy)

• QualiPV “electricity” and “building” module: this certification ensures on the one hand that the company meets criteria of reliability, financial stability, insurance, etc. It also guarantees the quality of the work carried out and compliance with the technical criteria defined in terms of electricity and integration into the frame of the photovoltaic panels.