Matthew Smith of Project Solar: An Insightful Interview for California Homeowners on Solar Panel Installation
Project Solar stands out in the solar energy market with its innovative approach, offering homeowners both DIY and full-service installation options. This dual model is pretty unique and here is why:
If you are a hands-on kind of person who loves tackling home projects, Project Solar’s DIY option could be perfect for you. The company provides all the necessary materials and comprehensive support, which allows you to install your own solar system. Pretty cool, isn’t it? This model can save you thousands of dollars on installation costs. Imagine the satisfaction of not only lowering your electricity bills but also knowing you installed those panels yourself!
For those who prefer to leave it to the experts, Project Solar offers a full-service installation as well. Their professional team takes care of everything from start to finish. All that’s left up to you is a smooth and hassle-free experience. This flexibility means you get the best of both worlds – the potential savings and the choice of how much involved you want to be.
Moreover, Project Solar’s commitment to transparent pricing means you will know exactly what you are paying for. They provide tools like a solar ROI calculator to help you understand your savings and solar energy production, making the process as clear and straightforward as possible.
Project Solar has a strong presence across the majority of the continental United States, including states like California, Texas, Florida, New York, Colorado, and Utah. This broad reach allows this solar provider to serve a diverse range of customers nationwide, as well as guarantees their extensive experience in diverse environments.
But enough talking, let Greentumble present our unique interview with this great solar company. You will get much more interesting information directly from Matthew Smith, president of Project Solar, who has kindly answered our questions focused specifically on California homeowners interested in going solar this year.
The interview with Matthew Smith of Project Solar
#1 Can you tell us briefly about the history of your company?
Matthew: Our founder, Trevor Hiltbrand, decided to start Project Solar after trying unsuccessfully to find a transparent, fairly-priced solar dealer for his home. Shopping around, getting and comparing quotes—all of it was such a hassle, and he thought, “there’s got to be an easier way to do this.”
The answer to this frustrated notion? An e-commerce solar company with all the top-tier equipment and warranties, but also a set, fair pricing model (and absolutely NO door-to-door salespeople).
After discussing with me, we started Project Solar: a low priced, online, do-it-yourself solar company. After all—designing, customizing, researching, and purchasing solar is most efficient when leveraging the internet’s reach and capabilities.
After creating and running some online ads, our small team was overwhelmed by the response. Demand for a transparent solar company was incredibly high, and rapid growth allowed us to partner with installers and offer more than just DIY.
Today, Project Solar offers Full Service Installation in 31 states, and DIY in 44.
#2 What type of solar panel technology do you offer, and what are the efficiency rates?
Matthew: We offer premium, black-on-black monocrystalline solar panels that boast over 20% module efficiency. We also use top-tier inverter, racking, and battery equipment.
#3 Do you offer a warranty for the solar system and installation? What does it cover?
Matthew: All our standard equipment (solar panels, inverters, racking) automatically includes a 25-year product warranty. For customers who choose to install with our partners, we also include a 25-year production guarantee and a 10-year workmanship warranty on the installation itself.
Installation process
#4 What is the estimated timeline for the installation from start to finish?
Matthew: Our projects typically take around 2-3 months to complete, from the moment the contract is signed until the utility company grants approval for the installed system to operate.
#5 Do you handle all the necessary permits and documentation required by the local government or utility company?
Matthew: Don’t worry about it. Even if you’re installing DIY, we’ll make sure that you have all the necessary permits and approvals!
#6 Do you subcontract any of the work, or is it all done by your employees?
Matthew: While we don’t perform installs ourselves, we partner with NABCEP-certified contractors to complete our projects. DIY projects are completed in-house.
Costs and financing
#7 Do you offer financing options or assist with solar incentives and rebates?
Matthew: Yes, we offer multiple financing options—we also accept any independent/third party financing, including home equity options, and cash payments as well.
We also make sure that each of our eligible customers have the resources they need to claim the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, which can reduce a solar system’s total cost by up to 30%.
#8 Do you provide a detailed breakdown of the costs and savings over time?
Matthew: When purchasing a system through Project Solar, you’ll be presented with a detailed proposal and design for your system. This will show production and savings estimations throughout the seasons.
#9 Is there a monitoring system included to track the performance of newly installed solar panels?
Matthew: Yes! Our systems include a monitoring app that can track each panel’s production independently. It can even notify you if it detects issues with production or equipment.
Maintenance and support
#10 Do you provide regular maintenance of installed solar systems?
Matthew: Solar systems actually don’t require too much maintenance—we recommend checking panels for dust and grime buildup every few months, and cleaning them if they get too dirty (we also have a guide for this on our blog). Additionally, we are happy to help with any issues that arise with your system’s production and/or equipment.
#11 What is the process for troubleshooting issues or repairs?
Matthew: We have a post-install team that handles troubleshooting and coordinating with installers to schedule repairs. All customers need to do is shoot us an email or give us a call with any questions or concerns, and our team will provide the necessary assistance.
#12 Is there a customer service hotline or support center for questions after installation?
Matthew: Going along with our policy of transparency, we’ve built a collection of solar knowledge on our website’s blog and FAQ center that is free to everyone. These articles can help customers can learn about solar throughout all stages of their project. Additionally, our team can be contacted via phone, chat, or email on our contact page: https://projectsolar.com/pages/contact-us
If you happen to contact us outside of our business hours, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
#13 How does your team handle unforeseen challenges or delays during the installation process?
Matthew: Solar is a construction project, and each homeowner’s situation is unique. There are quite a few factors that can affect timeline, from electrical upgrades to utility and jurisdiction processing times. Whatever obstacles may come, our team works diligently to complete each project as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We also aim to be as transparent about these possibilities as we can. As a part of our public pricing model, we list any factors that can impact your project’s cost, called “adders”, as well as their estimated pricing.
#14 Technology evolves rapidly. How does your company assist homeowners in upgrading or expanding their solar systems in the future?
Matthew: The biggest roadblock to expanding a solar system is the inverter. Central inverters have limits to how many solar panels can be added to them, and will need to be replaced if the desired system size exceeds their capacity.
Our first choice for inverters are Enphase microinverters. Rather than collecting and converting energy in a central unit, each panel has its own inverter, eliminating capacity limitations.
Final question: For homeowners who are still undecided, what direct message do you have for them about choosing your company?
Matthew: If you’re still unsure, that’s okay: installing solar is no small decision, and it’s important to make sure you have all the facts before starting a project.
Do your research, and get multiple quotes. Compare quotes based on equipment quality, warranty, service, and, most of all, price per watt. If you can find a better deal than Project Solar, great for you! Either way, we are happy to help you in any way we can.
How much does solar energy cost in California?
To wrap up this great interview, let’s break down what you can expect in terms of costs and benefits when you decide to switch to solar energy.
First off, it’s important to know that the cost of installing solar panels can vary depending on the size of your system and the specific details of your home. On average, in California, you can expect to pay between $2.55 to $3.20 per watt for a solar panel system.
For a typical 5-kilowatt (kW) system, this translates to somewhere between $12,750 and $16,000 before any incentives or rebates. While this might seem like a hefty upfront cost, there are plenty of ways to bring that number down.
California offers some fantastic incentives to help you out. The federal solar tax credit, which is available to all homeowners in the United States, can slash 30% off the cost of your system. This means that your $16,000 system could actually cost you only $11,200 after the federal tax credit. On top of that, California has its own state incentives that can further reduce your costs.
And let’s not forget about net metering. When your solar panels generate more electricity than you use, you can send that extra power back to the grid and get credits on your utility bill. This can significantly cut down your energy costs, especially with all the sunny days we get here in California.
Thinking about long-term savings? On average, California homeowners who go solar can expect to save around $1,000 to $1,500 per year on their energy bills. Over the lifespan of your solar panel system (typically 25-30 years), this adds up to some serious savings – often tens of thousands of dollars.
Plus, going solar isn’t just about the savings. You will be reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a greener planet. So, while the initial investment might seem substantial, the combination of federal and state incentives, plus the ongoing savings on your energy bills, makes solar a smart and financially savvy choice. And who doesn’t love the idea of generating their own clean energy right from their rooftop?