Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Year after year, more Brent homeowners install rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and provide a dependable source of power. Adopting solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we've done the research and assembled a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Brent.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
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:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. Once an electrical professional in Florida has four years of field experience, including one year as an apprentice, they can pass two exams to earn a CV license with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. The Sunshine State also allows electrical contractors to install solar panels, but they may need to subcontract some tasks to a licensed roofer.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact three to five solar companies to get free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and specify the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the most cost-effective option for you.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Brent, solar panels cost an average of $3,210 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 5.8 kilowatts. The typical Brent homeowner spends $13,072 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's panel type, required preliminary work, capacity, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
All
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Residential: 100% of the added value
Non-Residential: 80% of the added value
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system 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 energy, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Florida being very mild, you have a wide time window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
When it comes to taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. Regarding insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should consult with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
