By Jessica Sims

For farmers looking to "go solar" for the first time, it’s important to get something worth the investment. Here are some helpful tips from dealers of how to avoid the pitfalls that can arise when buying a solar system:

1. Most important is to find a company that will be around for a while. The contract for the Ontario FIT program is 20 years long, so you want a relationship with someone who will be there to honour their warranty and provide service for that time.

2. "Over 90 per cent of the solar companies out there right now are in the industry less than a year, and they often know less than the consumer does," John Verway from Copperhill said. Look into a company’s track record, talk with their past customers, and even have them supply you with a list of their competitors.

3. Actually go out and look at what you’re buying.

4. Read the warranty carefully. Some include covering the cost to replace panels but will not cover the work required to replace them.

5. Steve Lecomte from Clearly Solar suggested finding a company willing to help you with the little steps as well as the big ones, such as dealing with the hydro and electrical authorities, and insurance.

6. Even though the FIT contract lasts 20 years, your solar panels can last for a lot longer; the oldest solar system in the world has been operating since 1949. Verway suggested going with either monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels instead of thin film if you want a longer lifespan.

7. Watch out for companies overestimating how much money you will make from your system and how fast. MicroFIT and FIT systems have to connect to the larger power grid so it’s hard to tell how much power you will be able to produce in advance, Jean-Francois Jaimes of Solexium explained.

8. Make sure you will meet all Ontario content requirements.

9. The PTC rating is one way to judge panels but not the only way, Robert Christie from Cleave Energy said, because it was originally designed for California’s climate.

10. When looking at panel tolerance, the less you have in the negative for the STC rating the better. All panels operate at the lowest common denominator.

11. Many farmers may put panels on outbuildings with steel roofs that are D-rated for snow loads. Don’t forget to account for the extra weight of the panels on these roofs.

12. When considering buying vs. leasing, leasing has less risk and is good for people without the capital to invest in their own system. However buyers will get the greatest long-term profit, and leasers have less control over maintenance.

For more information about microFIT or FIT programs go to http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/.