Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for solar companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For SunMade Energy, the key to keeping clients happy is simple: focus on their individual needs so they never feel like just another number. “We work hard to give every client a five-star experience,” says owner Oz Wardak. “Our ultimate goal is total customer satisfaction, so we take the time to resolve even the smallest issues, no matter what it takes.”

SunMade Energy has been installing solar power systems for residential clients throughout the Central Valley since 2016. As a SunPower Elite Dealer, the company provides its customers with access to first-rate systems that are designed to deliver high energy production and superior lifetime savings, and it also has the training and equipment to install backup batteries, perform troubleshooting and repairs, and more.

Unlike solar companies that try to reduce their operating costs by hiring inexperienced installers, SunMade Energy only works with industry professionals who’ve been trained to provide world-class workmanship and customer service. “We have a small, efficient team comprised of people who truly enjoy what they do,” says Mr. Wardak. “We understand that providing a positive customer experience from beginning to end is the only way to build a sustainable company, so that’s our focus on every job.”

Ultimately, Mr. Wardak sees SunMade Energy’s ability to provide its clients with top-quality products and materials as its most important attribute. “SunPower is truly the best solar product in the world,” he says. “The first system I installed was in 2009, and it’s still producing at 97 percent of its original power. I’ve installed more than 4,000 solar systems throughout California over the course of my career, and there’s a reason I exclusively work with SunPower. They stand behind their products and provide the best warranties in the world.”

Basic maintenance is the key to prolonging the life of your solar system.

Solar systems are relatively easy to maintain, and properly maintained systems can provide up to 40 years of service, which is why so many homeowners opt for them over other renewable energy systems. However, there are still preventive measures you can take to ensure your solar system achieves maximum performance and power output. Consider the following tips for prolonging your system’s lifespan:

Keep the panels clean. This will ensure you’re getting the most power output from your system. Check the cleanliness of your panels on a monthly basis. If you notice any dust, bird droppings or leaves, wash the panels with a sponge or flush them with a garden hose.

Avoid moisture and dampness. Your solar panels usually can’t be damaged by moisture, but your backup battery, power inverter or diodes can. Even if your system is well-sealed, you should make sure there’s no way for moisture to penetrate the system and render some of its parts inoperable.

Eliminate shade. If you have a larger system with a series of cells connected together, it’s important to make sure your system isn’t shaded. Larger systems typically have bypass diodes in them, which allow for electric current to pass around the shaded areas without damaging them by stronger current. Just in case, it’s best to ensure your system is free of shade, or that the shade is spread evenly across as many cells/panels as possible.

Analyze your system. The most common issues with solar systems include disconnected wires that need to be reconnected, failed inverters that need to be replaced and failed diodes that may also need to be replaced (or simply removed if the system is smaller than 12V). Make sure you eliminate these possibilities before requesting repair services.

Q: Why should I install solar on my property?

A: The biggest reason is gaining independence from your utility company. It really is a monopoly—if you don’t like PG&E, what other option do you have? And with the way electric rates are going, homeowners without solar are stuck in the cycle of rising prices. Solar also helps increase your property value. If you have a solar system on your home, it’s considered an appreciating asset and your property value will likely go up.

Q: How does a solar tax credit work?

A: Basically, it’s a dollar-for-dollar credit against your liabilities. We’ll explain exactly what the solar tax credit means for you before we start your project.

Q: Will solar tax credits be available forever?

A: It depends on future presidential administrations. Right now, tax credits are at 26%, and in 2021 they’ll be at 22%, but they’ll be at 0% in 2022 unless they’re extended. So, now is the ideal time to move forward with getting a solar system and maximizing your savings.

Q: Can you tell me how much money I’ll save every month?

A: We have a portal where we can show you that information. The amount you’ll save is dependent on a few factors, like system size and sufficiency (the roof plane and how much shade there is). Once we combine all of these factors, we can give you an estimate for the approximate savings you’ll see with your solar system.

Q: Who will maintain my solar panels?

A: It’s your responsibility to make sure the panels are clean, but you can also hire a third-party service to do that for you.

Q: What’s the difference between microinverters and central inverters?

A: Some companies make it sound like central inverters are just as good as microinverters, but that’s not true. Central inverters work in strings, so if one panel goes out, the entire string goes out. With microinverters and AC modules, if one panel goes out, it doesn’t affect the performance of the rest of the system.

Q: Will I have electricity when the grid is out because I have solar?

A: Only if you have a battery backup. Solar panels work off of a 240 line voltage off the grid, so if the grid goes out, the panels will shut off. When the power comes back on, it’ll take about five minutes for the panels to resync with the grid, but you won’t have to do anything to make that happen.