Message HOME OWNER GUIDEAsking the right solar questions:Key Points:Are we the installer or justthe sales team?VANTAGE POINT SOLARYour Guide as a ConsumerB Y V A N T A G E P O I N T S O L A RWelcome!This guide is designed for YOU—the homeowner consideringsolar. It helps you understand:What questions you should ask solar companies,What questions they should be asking you — withoutprompting.Our goal is to help you avoid misinformation and poor-qualitysalespeople and highlight the level of care, professionalism,and education we provide here at Vantage Point Solar.Keep this guide handy whenever you’re meeting with anysolar rep. Some questions are simple, others more in-depth—but all will help you make the right decision for your homeand wallet.How old is your roof?Dealer Fees & Total CostTransparency?What happens if you sellyour home?Actual Warranty vs.Production Guarantee?Monitoring and SystemOversight?
Questions THEY Should Ask YOU(Without Prompting):B Y V A N T A G E P O I N T S O L A REnergy UsageHave you been asked for a full 12–24 months of utilityusage and billing data? Not just a recent electric bill, but the detailed breakdownfrom your online utility account showing:Total kWh usagePeak and off-peak usageBilling amounts for each month This is critical for accurate system design and pricing. Ifnot asked, that’s a big red flag.Your Roof:Did they ask about the age and condition of your roof? Older roofs (~18 years or more) may need replacementsoon, which could mean costly removal and reinstall ofpanels later. Some companies offer roofing solutions bundled with solarto avoid this later expense.Do they want to know your long-term plans for the home? Planning to move soon or stay long-term effects financingand system choices.Have they asked if your roof has shade during peak sun hours? Shade can significantly reduce system output.Contact Us: support@vantagepointsolar.com (844) 507-6527 vantagepointsolar.com Founded 2020 | 1910 Pacific Ave#10500, Dallas, TX 75201
Q U E S T I O N S Y O US H O U L D A S K T H E M :Are installers company employees or subcontractors?What type of inverters do you use? (String, power optimizers, microinverters) Each has pros and cons—make sure you get a full explanation.Will I have power during outages?Most grid-tied systems won’t provide power during outages unless they have specificmicro inverters or batteries.How long does installation take?1. Usually takes 4-6 hours, less than a day without batteries; 2–3 days with batteries.2.Should I be home during installation? Not necessary — installation is noisy and the crew works safely on your roof.Who is responsible for any property damage caused during installation?The installer should be fully responsible; always ensure they’re licensed, bonded, andinsured.How long have you personally been in the solarindustry? Can you verify it?Are you a W2 employee or a 1099 independentcontractor? This affects who is responsible for warrantiesand legal issues.How long has your company been in business?Where is your company headquartered? Do youhave a local office nearby?Is your company licensed, bonded, andinsured? Verify licenses at TDLR.Texas.gov.Are you the actual installer or just a salesagency that hires subcontractors? (Criticallyimportant if there's any “Legal Issues” ofsystem performance, warranty, production &savings promises. You should only contractdirectly with the actual installation contractor.)Verify with the State Registrar of Contractors.TDLR.Texas.govIs system monitoring included? Panel-level or system-level? Panel-level monitoring is preferred for detailed performance tracking.Will someone proactively monitor my system and notify me of issues? Most companies don’t actively monitor systems. If they claim otherwise, ask fordetails.Can I expand the system later? (For EV charging or increased energy use)Will you provide warranty documents before I sign? Review workmanship vs. manufacturer warranties carefully.About the Rep & Company:Design & Installation:After Installation:www.vantagepointsolar.com(844) 507-6527
FINANCIALS &PAPERWORK:Staying Informed and Educated Dealer Fees:“Own your power, lower your bill,brighten your future.”Visit Our Website vantagepointsolar.com support@vantagepointsolar.comThe solar company owns andmaintains the system, whileyou simply pay for the power itproduces—often at a lowerrate than your utility. In mostcases, you’ll have the option topurchase the system at or afteryear 6.With a solar loan, you don’tneed to pay out of pocket tostart saving. You’ll keep controlof your energy, add value toyour home, and avoid risingutility rates.Paying cash for solareliminates interest and dealerfees, giving you the lowest totalsystem cost and the fastestreturn on investment.Did the rep explain dealer fees and how they affect total cost?Lower interest rates often mean higher dealer fees, sometimesup to 40% of purchase price.Ask for a total cost of ownership comparison, not just monthlypayments.Protect yourself from theunknown information that manysolar company do not explain.Can you explain product warrantiesvs. production guarantees?Product warranty covers defectsin panels and equipment.Production guarantee ensures thesystem will produce a minimumamount of energy over time(typically 25 years).
VPS SOLAREST. 2020“BEHIND THE SCENES:PERMITS, POLICIES &OPTIONS”CANCELLATIONUPFRONT COSTPERMITSyou have a legal right tocancel a solaragreement within fivebusiness days of signing—no penalties.Your cancellationwindow must be clearlystated in the contract,including the final dateand an email or mailingaddress for notice.Who manages permittingand utilityinterconnection? Arethere any additionalfees?Here at Vantage Point: Let us stress not you!We handle all permittingand interconnection foryou.What are the paymentmilestones?Typically, cashpurchases require ~10%down, 40% atpermitting, and 50% atinstall. Financing often requiresno upfront payment,with payments starting acouple months afterinstall. VANTAGEPOINTSOLAR.COMGET IN TOUCH WITH US
Do you recommend reducing energy usagebefore sizing the system?Good companies suggest energy efficiencyupgrades (HVAC, insulation, smartthermostats) to reduce your electric load andsystem size.What if I sell my home and still owe on thesolar system? There are solutions to transfer or manageloans don’t rush to pay off loans just becauseof a sale without advice.Are alternative installations available if myroof isn’t suitable?Options include ground mounts, canopies,and tracking systems.Don’t focus solely on interestrates; ask for total cost-of-ownership comparisons.Ensure all promises are written inthe contract, not just proposals.Read cancellation terms carefullybefore signing.Know who to contact if problemsarise.References are often handpickeduse them cautiously.Consult a CPA about tax creditsbefore committing.SOLAR PRO TIPSNEEDHELP?If you have questions or want helpreviewing a proposal, reach outanytime. We’re happy to assist—even if youdon’t choose us (but we hope youwill!). support@vantagepointsolar.com (844) 507-6527 vantagepointsolar.com Founded 2020 | 1910 Pacific Ave #10500, Dallas, TX 75201
support@vantagepointsolar.com (844) 507-6527 vantagepointsolar.comIMPORTANTCONSIDERATIONS:PROPERTY TAXPROPERTY TAXHOME VALUEHOME VALUEHOA’SHOA’SWill solar increase myproperty taxes? No, Texas lawprohibits this.Yes, for owned systems—about $4,000 perinstalled kW (~4%home value increase).Leased systems don’tadd value.Can HOA stop me fromgoing solar? No, state law (SenateBill 1254) protectsyour right to solar.