Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
A new solar energy system could give you a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Switching to solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we've done the research and assembled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Rio Linda.
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
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 reduce utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. There are five specific types of solar contracting licenses in California: boilers, PV electrical, HVAC, thermal, and pool heating. To earn a license, an installer must complete 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 the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar installers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Be cautious of companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Get free, detailed quotes from at least three solar companies. A quote should describe all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Switching to solar power can help reduce your energy expenses over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology used. The average solar system in Rio Linda has a capacity of 3.1 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,470 per kilowatt; the average Rio Linda homeowners spends about $7,491 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for factors such as the capacity, size, and panel type of the planned system, and should include fees for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar panels, 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 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 achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Yes. The grid in Rio Linda 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.
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 Rio Linda, 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.
Although solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
The most common types of home solar panels in Rio Linda include monocrystalline, thin-film and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.
Solar energy is on par with other forms of renewable energy. They have inexpensive upkeep and today's systems can stand up to the worst conditions.
