Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
A rooftop solar array could give you a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Making the switch to solar power allows you to cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. That’s why, after reviewing and analyzing providers, we compiled a guide to the most reputable solar companies in El Dorado. These companies offer dependable quality service.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Solar contractors in Arkansas must be licensed electricians to install PV systems or licensed plumbers to install water heating systems. Depending on their specific licensure, your contractor will have at least 4–5 years of experience and verify their educational credentials with the state Contractors Licensing Board.
Check TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar installers. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar company that works with your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should include robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your energy expenses over time. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
The average El Dorado homeowner will spend around $19,964 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in El Dorado cost approximately $3,490 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 8.2 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work, and will account for your system's size, panel type, and capacity. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In El Dorado, the average amount someone can save is $1,634 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny El Dorado, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 12.2 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
While solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in El Dorado include polycrystalline, monocrystalline and thin-film. 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 what kinds of solar panels they work with.
