Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated May 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Litchfield homeowners. A solar panel array can help you provide a dependable source of power, decrease your carbon footprint, and add value to your property. Making the transition to solar energy can help you save money and lower your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. That’s why we’ve reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the most reputable solar installation companies in Litchfield. These top providers offer high-quality and dependable services.
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
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 lower electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. In Connecticut, a professional meeting minimum experience requirements can take an exam to become a licensed solar PV or thermal contractor. Once they're licensed, they'll need to sign up with the state's Clean Energy Fund, so that their customers can earn incentives.
Look at review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Be wary of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from 3–5 providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the best value.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy can help reduce your electricity costs over time. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The typical Litchfield solar array has a capacity of 4.7 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,750 per kilowatt; the average Litchfield homeowners spends roughly $12,323 on a new solar array 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 size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies (local option)
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of value added by renewable system
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Amount:
Customer-owned (EPBB):
Up to 10 kW PTC: $0.358/W
10 to 20 kW PTC: $0.207/W
Incentive is reduced accordingly for Design Factors below 75%. Minimum design factor is 60%.
Third-Party-Owned (PBI):
Up to 20 kW PTC: $0.03/kWh for 6 years
Minimum Design Factor 60%
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Amount:
Ductless Heat Pump: $500
Refrigerators/Freezers, Room A/Cs, Dishwashers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers: Incentive Included in Retail Price
Central A/C: $200
Air Source Heat Pumps: $500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $750
Lighting: Incentive Included in Retail Price
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $500-$1,500
High Efficiency Furnace, Natural Gas Boiler, and Boiler Circulator Pump: Instant Discounts of $25-$800
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are a number of benefits to 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 offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Litchfield can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease 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 Litchfield, the average amount someone can save is $1,081 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.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Litchfield, meaning your payback period could last 11.4 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to get paid 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.
The most common types of home solar panels in Litchfield include monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Ask your local provider about which solar panels they work with.
