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 solar panel array will provide you with a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Making the switch to solar power allows you to cut your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a reputable installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and compiled a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation companies in Magnolia.
Reliable customer support
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Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
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:
Going solar can be a great way to save money on electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding if a solar installer is trustworthy.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Solar contractors in Arkansas must be licensed plumbers to install water heating systems or licensed electricians to install PV 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 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 reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar installer that works with your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from 3–5 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.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Going solar can help decrease your energy expenses. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Magnolia has a capacity of 8.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,490 per kilowatt; the average Magnolia homeowners spends roughly $19,954 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 installer will account for factors such as the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, labor, and permit fees.
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, save money, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in Arkansas being very mild, you have significant leeway to install your panels, though they won't hit peak performance until summer arrives.
Of course. Magnolia uses a balanced mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will lower your home's emissions and provide cost savings, you'll still benefit from access to the local grid.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease 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 Magnolia, the average amount someone can save is $1,510 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
The specific required maintenance steps will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel once per season. Your solar contractor might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy might not be the best performing choice for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough to achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
