Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Susanville homeowners turn to rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and lower their carbon footprint. Making the transition to solar energy can allow you to save money and shrink your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why we’ve analyzed the options and assembled a guide to the most reputable solar installation companies in Susanville. These top installers consistently deliver high-quality and dependable services.
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Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
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:
Going solar can be a great way to save money on electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding if a solar installer is trustworthy.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. There are five different 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 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 providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. The quotes should describe all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. A performance warranty ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Make sure you consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of home solar panels in Susanville 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 costs $3,470 per kilowatt, not including labor, preliminary work, or permit fees. Most solar systems in Susanville are 3.2 kilowatts, and the typical Susanville homeowners spends $7,672 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and reduce upfront costs.
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:
Refrigerator: $50
Freezer: $50
Clothes Washer: $35
Dishwasher: $35
Smart Power Strip: $10
Room AC: $75
Air Source Heat Pumps: $100 - $125 per ton
Ground Source Heat Pump: $1,000 per ton
Central A/C: $25 - $75 per ton
Evaporative Cooled A/C: $100 per ton
Ductless Mini-Split A/C: $50-$100 per ton
Whole House Fan: $25
Storage Water Heater: $200
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Electric Heater: $20 - $30
LED Bulb: $2.50/bulb
LED Holiday Lights: $3 per string
Ceiling Fan: $25
Incentive Amount:
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator: $125
ENERGY STAR Freezer: $75
ENERGY STAR Washing Machine: $35
ENERGY STAR Dishwasher: $35
ENERGY STAR Light Emitting Diode (LED) Bulbs: $5
Ceiling Fan: $25
Retire a Secondary Refrigerator or Freezer without replacement: $50
Storage Water Heater/Heat Pump Water Heater (>30 Gal): $150
Windows: $1.50-$3.00/sq. ft.
Insulation: $0.25 - $0.35/sq. ft.
Room AC: $75
Central AC: $25-$75
Air-Source Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Ground Source Heat Pump: $600
LED Holiday Lights: $3.00/70-bulb string
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 heating system.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can save money, 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.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Susanville can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
Yes. The grid in Susanville 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.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Susanville, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 8.3 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can sell the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy might not be ideal for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase 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.
