Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Every year, more Cherryland residents adopt rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Making the switch to solar power can help cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a reputable installation company first. That’s why, after properly vetting providers, we assembled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Cherryland. These installers have a reputation for excellent service.
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Family-operated business
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
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:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. There are five different types of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. For a contractor to earn a license, a contractor must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.
Check TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar companies. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Stay away from providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the best option that fits your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy can help reduce your electricity costs in the long run. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
In Cherryland, solar panels cost an average of $3,470 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 3.0 kilowatts. The typical Cherryland homeowner spends $7,314 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, required preliminary work, size, and panel type. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to 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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, qualify for tax benefits, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
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 Cherryland, 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 when your payback period is done.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, their rated capacity, and the average sunlight in your area. Cherryland has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 6.9 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to be compensated 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.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. For insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should speak with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
