Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Bessemer homeowners. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation providers in Bessemer.
Reliable customer support
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Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could lower your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. Alabama certifies solar contractors with similar requirements to electricians. They must have a minimum of 4 years of field experience and file an application with the state's Electrical Contractors Board.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar panels can help lower your electricity costs over time. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Bessemer has a capacity of 9.1 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,490 per kilowatt; the average Bessemer homeowners spends roughly $22,260 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include prices for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Deduction
Incentive Amount:
100%
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar heating system for your water.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, qualify for tax benefits, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Alabama being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't reach peak performance until summer arrives.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Bessemer amount to $1,903.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Bessemer, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 11.7 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive bill credits or payments for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
Ultimately, the answer will depend on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to inform your insurance company about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Bessemer include thin-film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about which solar panels they work with.
