When selecting a solar installation company in Las Vegas, there are a number of specific factors to consider. With 350 solar companies in the area and the median Las Vegas household size as 1,867 square feet, you should get a basic idea of how many options are at your disposal and what size solar system you’ll need for your home. Below are a handful of other important aspects of choosing a solar installation company in the Las Vegas metro area.
Size of the System You Need
Determining the number of panels, or how big your solar system needs to be, is the next step in outfitting your home for solar energy. Consulting directly with the installation company will help you figure out exactly how many solar panels you need. But before your consultation, be sure to have this information on hand:
- The usable square footage of your roof
- Your home’s sun number to determine how many hours of sunlight you receive as well as information on the type of solar panel you prefer
- An estimate of how much energy your household regularly uses
Note: It’s important to tell the solar panel installation company exactly how many people live in your home. On average, most Las Vegas households consist of three people, so some solar companies may use this number to gauge how much power you need.
Solar Warranties
Solar companies offer different warranties on their products and services, but you can find some common themes among the most prominent companies. For example, most solar companies and vendors offer 25-year warranties for solar panel performance and factory defects. Warranties for other elements, such as battery and charge controllers, vary depending on the item and the manufacturer.
You may find that some companies also include extra insurance and protection options for situations like property damage during installation since the installation process involves altering your existing structures to accommodate the technology and wiring. Workmanship guarantees usually come standard, but coverage length can vary as well.
If you plan to lease your solar system, most companies will cover all issues throughout the contract duration. Also, they will typically take responsibility for solar system maintenance.
Types of Solar Warranties
- Manufacturer’s Equipment Warranty (Product Guarantee): Also called a product warranty, a manufacturer’s equipment warranty usually offers 25 years of protection for premium, high-quality solar panels and covers manufacturing defects and panel failure.
- Performance Warranty (Power Guarantee): A power guarantee is a promise from the manufacturer that your solar panels will maintain an output of a specified percentage of their original levels. Typical performance warranties range from 10 to 25 years and promise percentages of around 90% after 10 years and about 80% after 25 years.
- Workmanship Warranty: A workmanship or installation warranty covers any damage to your solar energy system caused during or as a result of installation. Coverages have a wide range from two to 15 years or more.
Solar Panel Type
In addition to picking the solar installation company that’s best for you, you’ll also need to do some research to help determine which type of solar panels will work best for your home. The three main types of residential solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. There is a newer, more expensive fourth option, solar roofing shingles, which is an aesthetically appealing option for those with a larger budget.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular choice and have efficiency rates of 20% or more, making them the most efficient option. However, since they cost more to make than other types of solar panels, they typically are more expensive upfront.
Polycrystalline solar panels are less costly, but less efficient, than monocrystalline panels. Visually, there’s not much difference between the two, and they last almost just as long (warranties vary by brand, but will typically last around 25 years). Unlike monocrystalline panels, which each produce around 300 or more watts of power, polycrystalline panels typically only produce around 250 watts of power each.
Thin-film solar panels are a great, lightweight option for homeowners with a smaller budget, as they’re the cheapest of the three main options.
Solar shingles are a good option for those with a larger budget and aesthetics as a top priority. That said, while they’re more expensive, they’re less efficient, with only around 14% and 18% efficiency,
Cost
While monocrystalline solar panels top the list for efficiency, they cost the most with an average of $1 to $1.50 per watt. For a more budget-friendly option, a-Si thin-film is the cheapest option at $0.43 to $0.50 per watt.
On average, solar panels cost less than solar shingles. However, shingles offer a newer technology and installing them is more complex. Solar singles are generally considered a more visually appealing option as they appear more sleek and smooth on your roof than typical solar panels.
Las Vegas Home Energy Needs
Knowing the median household size in Las Vegas, which is 1,867 square feet, and the average amount of energy each home uses in Nevada—959 kWh per household—can help you determine how much electricity your home will need to function efficiently. Once you’ve figured this out, you’ll be better equipped to choose the best solar company for your home and price range.