Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Marion homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you decrease your carbon footprint, add value to your property, and provide a dependable source of power. Making the switch to solar power can help cut your utility bills and lower your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a reputable installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and assembled a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation providers in Marion.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This help guarantee 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 consumer review platforms like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact three to five solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation problems such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Going solar can help decrease your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
The cost of home solar panels in Marion varies depending on several factors, including your system's expected capacity and the type of solar technology being used. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system could range from $3,490 per kilowatt, not including labor, permit fees, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in Marion are 8.5 kilowatts, and the typical Marion homeowners spends $20,660 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
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.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
Absolutely. The grid in Marion already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, their rated capacity, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Marion gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 15.7 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to get paid 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.
While solar energy might not be ideal 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.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
