After you are comfortable with the company and their reputation, there are lots of questions you can ask to help you determine if they are right for your particular project: 

- Who is the license-holder and where do they work?

- What components do you use in your systems?  Where are they made?  How will they hold up to the Florida environment?

- How are your systems different than other systems?

- What trade organizations does your company belong to and what do you learn from them?

- How do your systems actually perform?  What measurements have you taken to validate this performance?

- How many systems have you installed? 

- What mounting hardware/system do you use?  How strong is it?  Who is your engineer and what experience does he/she have?

- Do you pull permits when you install the systems? 

- Can you provide me with references?

Do not be afraid to grill your solar contractor!  If you do not feel comfortable that they know exactly what they are doing and your system will perform as well as they claim, keep looking!

Florida law allows those with an EC license or a master electrician as well as a solar CVC license to install PV systems.  However, PV systems are unlike wiring in your house or business.  Most electricians are unfamiliar with PV system characteristics, sizing, siting, equipment, or installing PV systems.  While PV systems when installed correctly are absolutely safe and will provide decades of trouble-free and reliable power, installed incorrectly they can introduce significant hazards to personel and structures.   

Photovoltaic (PV) systems can be extremely affordable!  Up-front costs are typically higher than "traditional" solar thermal systems but state incentives and federal tax credits will reduce their cost significantly - usually by as much as 90-95%! 

The license-holder is the person who is ultimately responsible for your installation.  If you have problems, you will know exactly who to contact and where they are. 

Solar Heating Systems in Florida have no heat exchangers that fail from corrosion, no fan motors or compressors to break down. They are extremley reliable and require almost no maintenance.

Solar water heating systems will pay for themselves in savings within the first two to four years.

The "payback" time for solar pool heating systems will vary depending on what type of heater they are replacing.

The ROI for PV systems varies widely based on financing, rebates, tax situation, and type of system installed.  ROI can be as short as one year! 

While the cost of a Solar Water Heater exceeds those of other heaters in the short term, they return the cost difference in electric savings in 2-4 years which is very good considering the systems have a life expentancy of more than 20 years. You always save money with a Solar System.

Solar thermal systems have no flames or heat source other than the sun; they just keep heating your water quietly, safely and reliably year after year.

PV systems, when installed correctly, are absolutely safe and will provide decades of safe, clean, reliable power with virtually no maintenance. 

Only a licensed Solar Contractor can install your solar heating systems. All systems must be approved by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Always check for BOTH points.