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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Albany residents. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a reputable solar installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on installers, we put together a guide to the most dependable solar companies in Albany. These installers have a reputation for high-quality service.
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
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 helping the environment 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 properly using current installation best practices. There are five specific levels of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. To earn licensure, a contractor must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.
Check Google Reviews, TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you evaluate a provider's reliability and customer service. Stay away from providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar installer that works with your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from 3–5 providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Going solar can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of home solar panels in Albany will depend on several factors, including the size of the system and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a typical solar energy system could range from $3,470 per kilowatt, not including permit fees, preliminary work, or labor. Most solar systems in Albany are 3.0 kilowatts, and the typical Albany homeowners spends $7,314 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the propertyThe total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Locally determined
Incentive Amount:
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Incentive Amount:
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced
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 gain additional energy independence.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in California being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
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 Albany, the average amount someone can save is $1,053 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel every three months. Your solar installation company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
While solar energy might not be ideal for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could boost 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.