Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ! We have received a lot of questions and have done our best to answer them below. Use the question links below to skip to the answers:
- When and who started Solar Sipper?
- What is your goal?
- How do you fund solar sipper?
- What do you think of other group buys?
- How do you screen contractors?
- Do I have to use a contractor from your site in a group buy?
- How much do you charge homeowners?
- Can I contact you and ask a question or get 1 on 1 advice?
- Where do you serve?
- What about Wind Energy as an alternative?
- Is my roof big enough?
- Solar is getting cheaper, and technology is getting better--why should I install now?
- I’m a student, can I volunteer?
- Are you coming to Canada?
- How will you save me money?
- What's the savings of a 5, 10, 15 person group?
- How do you compare with other group buys?
- What do you mean you don't do anything?
- What is the difference between kW vs. kWH?
- Can you really get me a better deal?
- What’s the catch? It sounds great...
- How does my roof type, orientation, and sun exposure affect price?
- How do you make sure the contractor honors the deal?
- What do contractors think of the group buy?
- How do contractors who don’t bid low enough to win the contract feel?
- Why doesn’t everyone use solar sipper to install solar?
- Do I have to pay any money?
- Why do less than .2% of people use solar energy?
- I’m not sure solar is financially right for me, do a lot of people wait for the panel prices to drop considerably and say in 5 years they’ll look again?
- Do you have a webinar?
- How do you respond to contractors' hate mail?
- What guarantee do you make?
- What will the dedicated project coordinator do for me?
- What is the solar adoption challenge?
- Why does the direction and angle of my roof impact the cost?
How do I get in on a group buy?
Use the email sign up form on the right to join the SolarSipper group buy program in YOUR city!
When and who started Solar Sipper?
In 2008, by a couple of environmentalists, by chance really, when one of us paid $9,000 more than his neighbor for an almost identical solar system and wanted to teach others how to save!
Help people save on solar installations, support pro solar and environment legislation, lobby against anti solar policies, and further the dream of a open market energy buyback system.
Generous donations, web site advertising, and we both work full time jobs, solar sipper is a labor of love for the planet!
What do you think of other group buys?
True competition equals savings, to really save on an install, or lower the price of electricity from a utility, the same is true, you need to have multiple suppliers competing to lower prices.
How do you screen contractors?
YOU are responsible for screening any solar installation company, but we do gather consumers' reviews, check references, perform license, insurance, and bond verification.
Do I have to use a contractor from your site in a group buy?
NO, you can use any contractor, you deal directly with the contractor. You are under no obligation.
Zero, zilch, nothing!
Can I contact you and ask a question?
Yes, please allow up to 24 hours for a response if we miss you, but we are glad to help!
Wherever there is internet, we started just in California, but have grown virally to the entire US.
What about Wind Energy as an alternative?
Wind energy is awesome! If you live in an area with strong winds, we recommend comparing the benefits of both solar and wind!
The question is do you get enough sun? As long as you have around 150 sq/ft you’ll be OK.
Solar is getting cheaper, and technology is getting better--why now?
Yes! Solar makes financial and environmental sense currently, the longer you wait, the longer you use dirty energy, pay a bulky utility bill, and delay the day you generate free energy.
I’m a student, can I volunteer?
Yes!
We currently have no plans, sorry.
WE won’t save you a nickel, by connecting you with others in your community who are interested in solar, together, you are able to leverage your buying power and install solar at a price per watt that is not attainable as an individual.
What’s the savings of a 5, 10, 15 person group?
The savings varies, but a 5 person group buy can expect to save 50 to 75 cents a watt, a 15 person group buy should save over a dollar a watt. All groups are different, many variables are present, location, size, companies bidding, type of panels, inverter, warranty, permit fees, and much more impact pricing.
How do you compare with other group buys?
We don’t compare with any other organization, we simply connect homeowners to homeowners so communities can utilize their bulk buying power to receive a discount.
What do you mean you don’t do anything?
Well, we do something, but really, our goal is for you to find the friends, neighbors, coworkers, parents, in your community who are having the same thoughts about solar as you... when we make the introduction, our work is pretty much over.
What is the difference between kW vs. kWH?
kWH describes the rate at which power is used. kW is 1,000 watts. Imagine 1KWH is a box of electricity. You can use the box of power slowly with a light bulb or quickly with a high wattage hairdryer. The hairdryer make take minutes, where the light bulb takes hours or days to use up the electricity.
Can you really get me a better deal?
NO, Solar Sipper can’t get you a better deal, we can give you free tips, advice, answer your questions, but to get a better deal, you will need to link up with others in your general area who are in the market for solar and leverage your buying power.
What’s the catch? It sounds great...
Well, to save, you have to be serious about solar energy for your home, when you feel you are truly ready for solar, you may have receive quotes independently, seen your utility bill sky rocket and getting a great deal with a great contractor is the next step, that is where we can help connect you.
How does my roof type, orientation, and sun exposure affect price?
The group buy savings impacts your price per watt only, if the contractor has to ad a difficult roof mount because your roof is at a steep angle, you have Spanish tile, you don’t have much space, there is a tree blocking the sun you must work around, a ground mount is needed, or a variety of other factors, that work is extra for the contractor and you to negotiate, and doesn’t impact your price per watt rate.
How do you make sure the contractor honors the deal?
It is your responsibility to know your price per watt and if anything looks fishy contact us ASAP, we are available to look over estimates, give advice, and help resolve disputes.
What do contractors think of the group buy?
They LOVE it, if they win the contract, and the word of mouth referrals for the next 25 years. The biggest benefit to a contractor is the 30 years of “billboard space” on your roof, your panels will be discussed for the next quarter of a century and contractors know their company will be recommended if they did a good job.
How do contractors who don’t bid low enough to win the contract feel?
Often they are unhappy. Contractors work hard, we know that, we love contractors, most are ultra honest and have the best interest of the consumer in mind, but when it comes to the environment, we must be clear: LOWERING THE PRICE OF SOLAR ALLOWS MORE PEOPLE TO GO SOLAR WHICH SAVES THE PLANET. Our loyalties lie with communities maximizing their leverage to drive prices down to unheard of rates, this does cause distress, but normally it is one solar company mad/amazed at another solar company for dropping their price… the process gets ultra competitive, but deadlines keep it moving smooth.
Why doesn’t everyone use solar sipper to install solar?
We have been stuck at 2 homeowners in North Dakota for three months... The number one reason why people don’t leverage their local buying power is they don’t know of others who are looking to install solar. Small armies of people connect over the internet during this process, it is amazing to see so many like minded people gather for a common mutually beneficial purpose.
UPDATE: we now have 5 homeowners in North Dakota signed up!
No! Not to us, the solar company will want between $4 to $7 a watt for an average 5,000 watt system. After the group buy, local, state and federal rebates, you will be paying around $2 to $5 per watt. Without any financing, anticipate spending a minimum of $10,000.
Why do less than .2% of people use solar energy?
GREAT question! Solar is expensive and an upfront investment. Some homeowners happen to have sub $50 utility bills and don’t worry about it, others don’t have $10k or can’t get financing, some people think it is too complicated, others think the panels look funny, but about 75% of the population sites COST as the #1 reason for not going solar. Find a group and lower the price as a community!
I’m not sure solar is financially right for me, do a lot of people wait for the panel prices to drop considerably and say in 5 years they’ll look again?
Yes, you must volunteer at the Sipper... it is important to realize that solar ain’t cheap... it is an UPFRONT investment… However it is low risk, high reward and in 2010 there are a multitude of financing options that can lock you into a monthly rate below $200 a month, some closer to $100 a month with just 0 to $2,000 down.
Give us a call, we will give you no-nonsense advice, without any pressure that solar is the way to go... simple energy efficiency upgrades, using less water, etc can pay dividends.
Yes, twice a month, submit your info and we’ll email you the date and time of the next webinar.
How do you respond to contractor’s hate mail?
We surprisingly do get hate mail, and although we never anticipated this when starting a website to connect folks who wanting to go solar, WE LOVE HATE MAIL. We are motivated and inspired by HATE MAIL. We don’t work for solar companies; we work for the community and our planet. Many contractors love us, but some feel we are taking money out of their pocket by educating consumers that you can get a great price by buying solar as a group. Because the volume of a group decreases the margins of an install to sub 5% typically, one company benefits, the second, third and 4th highest bidder doesn’t get to perform any work because their margins were either pushed to maximum limits at their bid or they were not willing to sacrifice additional profit for the volume of the group: understood, totally fair, and we understand why some are upset. We don’t care what reputable company wins, as long as solar wins.
We will be 100% honest with you, we will give you the knowledge, and community connections to make an informed decision and build/join a group that can save you more money than any other source we are aware of.
What will the dedicated project coordinator do for me?
The project coordinator is a volunteer who handles all details, logistics, coordination, paperwork, assembly, communication, big process, comparison, vote gathering, deadline administration, and more. They will make your life better and keep your bank account plump!
What is the solar adoption challenge?
The solar adoption challenge began as a group of Oakland residents challenging a group of San Jose residents to see who could get more members to join and save with a solar group buy in 1 month. The Oakland team won! They had 18 members and the San Jose team had 12 members. Not bad in a month!
Why does the direction and angle of my roof impact the cost?
The sun is in the south since we are in the northern hemisphere, panel mounts are designed to maximized the amount of sunlight you receive, if the contractor has to erect a non traditional mount to maximize the hours of sun you get, this effort is compensated additionally. The price per watt is still valid and enforced for the group buy, but this labor could cost you an additional $500-$2,000.
