How do I vet a provider before making a commitment?
Not all solar companies are the same – and commercial solar is not a one-size-fits-all industry. Asking the right questions early can help avoid surprises later.
Here are six key categories you should explore with any provider, whether it’s Melink Solar or another installer.
1. Experience & References #
- How many commercial solar projects have you completed?
- Do you specialize in commercial and industrial (C&I), or mostly residential?
- Can you provide case studies or references from companies similar to mine?
Beware of residential-focused providers trying to “scale up” into commercial – these projects require very different expertise.
2. Engineering & Procurement #
- Do you do engineering in-house or subcontract?
- Which equipment brands do you use for panels, inverters, and racking?
- Are those Tier 1 manufacturers with solid warranties and bankability?
Knowing how many MW of solar a company is installing and buying a year can sometimes be a reflection of an installers ability to build a quality project at scale – and purchase products at a price-point that makes their installations cost-effective.
3. Production Estimates #
- What software or weather station data do you use for modeling?
- How do you account for soiling, shading, and module degradation?
- Are assumptions adjusted for my exact site – not just general benchmarks?
Overestimating production is the fastest way to disappoint customers. Ask for a transparent model with assumptions you can verify.
4. Financing #
- What options do you offer – cash purchase, PPA, lease, or loan?
- Do you support nonprofit or tax-exempt financing (e.g. CollectiveSun, Direct Pay)?
- Will you help coordinate with lenders or advisors?
See Section 4.3: Financing for a comparison of solar funding models.
5. Warranty & Operations + Maintenance (O&M) #
- What are the assumed inverter replacement costs and timelines?
- Is monitoring included? Who receives the alerts?
- Do you offer an optional or bundled maintenance plan?
Ask how long they’ve been offering support – and how long they plan to be around. Warranty is only as good as the company behind it.
6. Core Values & Commitment to Sustainability #
- Does your company use solar or renewables on its own facilities?
- Do you participate in sustainable building certifications or environmental programs?
- Can you provide examples of sustainability-focused projects?
At Melink, we’re not just solar providers – we’re practitioners. Our office runs on renewable energy, and we walk the talk.
Want more detail on equipment quality and warranties mentioned in question 2? See Section 3.2: How Long Will My Solar Equipment Last, and What Do Warranties Cover?
Need to understand the financing options discussed in question 4? Revisit Section 4.3: What Are My Options for Financing a Commercial Solar System?
Curious about the O&M and monitoring services covered in question 5? See Section 5.1: How Do I Track, Maintain, and Maximize My Solar System’s Performance?