Key Success Factors At Akeena Solar, we are committed to providing a solution that lasts 20-30 years and delivers optimal return on your investment. The recommendations below are based on our decades of success and in-depth understanding of Solar technology.  Keep it simple. Complexity lowers reliability and increases the need for technical support. For example, battery systems are complicated, short-lived and require higher maintenance. Hire a licensed, insured Solar specialist. Akeena Solar maintains the proper levels of insurance and documentation to shelter you from any worker liabilities. Electricians are not necessarily qualified and certified by equipment manufacturers to install Solar equipment properly. Understand system availability. It may be best economically to meet your energy requirements with a combinations of Solar and conventional power. This may mean using Solar to reduce your highest tier electricity consumption, and choosing a time-of-use rate for greater savings. Be realistic about your load. Eliminate “phantom”loads such as plugged in but powered-down TVs, computers and power supplies. Inverters, wires, collector soiling and battery-charging create inefficiency even in the best-designed systems. Learn local weather and seasonal shading conditions. Microclimates have an impact on actual results. Morning fog in San Francisco-area locations means that solar energy systems should be designed to optimize afternoon energy collection. Know what hardware is available and at what cost. Tradeoffs are inevitable. It is usually wisest to install solar energy panels with the lowest cost per watt, rather than highest output per square foot., for example. Know the installation site before designing the system. A site visit is absolutely essential for component placement, wire runs, shading, terrain peculiarities and special requirements. A Solar Pathfinder analysis helps determine daily and seasonal shading. Plan periodic maintenance. Solar energy systems have an enviable record for unattended operations, but no system works without any care. Panels may need annual cleaning in dirty locations; batteries need replacement every 5-10 years.  Perform a thorough economic analysis. Calculate the Return on Investment and Net Present Value of the system (how much all of your savings will be worth in today's dollars), and compare to various alternatives. Akeena solar can help you get the best information and results.