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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Year after year, more Fair Oaks homeowners turn to rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and provide a dependable source of power. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a qualified solar installer. Luckily, we've done the research and assembled a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation companies in Fair Oaks.
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. There are five specific types of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. For a contractor to earn a license, an installer must take a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of experience as an apprentice or journeyman, and pass written exams.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar companies. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Be wary of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact three to five solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and specify the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the best value based on your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty 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 has faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The average Fair Oaks homeowner will spend around $7,491 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Fair Oaks cost roughly $3,470 per kilowatt, with an average size of 3.1 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work, and will account for your system's panel type, size, and capacity. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels in order 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 property The 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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in California being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't hit peak performance until summer arrives.
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 Fair Oaks, the average amount someone can save is $823 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
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 the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Of course. Solar panels don't depend on the grid to work and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
The best type of residential solar panel depends on your specific needs and goals. Generally, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homes in Fair Oaks. However, if you have a limited budget, then you may want to consider thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When you're choosing a contractor, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a contractor offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.