thanks for your advice.
I totally get that and I am information gathering stage.
Could you help me find what kinds of questions should I ask myself?
And could you elaborate more on "manage the project somewhat like a general contractor"?
thanks again!
1. Why do I want to install solar? What am I hoping to gain out of it?
2. What age is the roof on my home? Do I need a new roof before I start thinking about solar?
3.I just moved into this home, do I have a solid idea on what my electrical usage will be in this home month to month for a 12 month period, through summer and winter. Can I make a good guess?
4. Am I considering an electric car (or another one) or things like a pool (if I dont have one) or a hot tub (if I dont already have one)
5. do I enjoy chasing things down and following up with people I hire to do things for me, or do I expect a "white glove" type of approach where I pay money and someone walks me through every step of the process, answering all my questions as I go?
6. Assuming I want the "someone showing me every step of the process as I go" customer service (who wouldnt) am I prepared to pay more for it (maybe substantially more)?
7. Does my home have a roof that tesla will even install on, or do I have some material on my roof that is not supported by them, necessitating a specialty third party installer who will likely work with my special roof (and charge me for it)
There are more, but that should get you started.
EDIT: Someone else posted on these boards (which I absolutely agree with, so am stealing their statement) that people need to look at purchasing solar like a construction project on their home. Its not like buying a car. Its like re doing your kitchen or something.
Think of all the questions you might ask a contractor if you were re doing your kitchen. Layout, appliances, how long is the install going to take, permits, etc. All the same on a solar install. or solar with batteries, except the appliances are the solar panels and / or optimizers , microinverters / inverters etc.