Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
A solar panel array will provide you with a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a reputable solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation providers in North Fair Oaks.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
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 cut 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 best installation practices. There are five distinct classifications of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. For a contractor to earn a license, an installer must complete a highly comprehensive educational series, gain four years of field experience, and pass written exams.
Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar installers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee covers installation defects, such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. A performance warranty ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar can help you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
The average North Fair Oaks homeowner will spend around $7,454 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in North Fair Oaks cost approximately $3,470 per kilowatt, with an average size of 3.1 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work, and will account for your system's panel type, capacity, and size. Some homeowners 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
Incentive Amount:
Single-family residential gas-displacing systems: $18.59 per therm displaced
Single-family residential electricity or propane-displacing systems: $0.54 per kWh displaced
Multifamily and Commercial gas-displacing systems: $14.53 per therm displaced
Multifamily and Commercial electricity or propane-displacing systems: $0.42 per kWh displaced
Low-Income Multifamily gas-displacing systems: $19.23/therm displaced
Low-Income Multifamily Electric or Propane Displacing systems: $0.56/kWh displaced
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, save money, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
Of course. The grid in North Fair Oaks 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. North Fair Oaks has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 7.4 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.
Your recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel four times a year. Your solar energy company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
Absolutely. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in North Fair Oaks and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. 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.
Solar panels are gaining in popularity 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.
