Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Blackhawk homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you add value to your property, decrease your carbon footprint, and provide a dependable source of power. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar providers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Blackhawk. These trusted providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce 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.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission licenses distributed generation energy contractors, including solar installers.
Check TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's reliability and customer service. Be wary of companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar company that works with your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your energy expenses. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
In Blackhawk, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.5 kilowatts. The typical Blackhawk homeowner spends $16,986 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's panel type, required preliminary work, size, and capacity. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies
Incentive Amount:
Appliance Recycling
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Central Air Conditioners: $50 - $300
Ductless Minisplit A/C: $50 - $300
Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Furnace Fan: $50
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $200 - $2,400, depending on EER and COP
Heat Pump Water Heater: $300
Natural Gas Furnace: $300/unit
Programmable Thermostat: $25
Room Air Conditioners: $35
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 PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Blackhawk, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, meaning that you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and their rated capacity. Blackhawk gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 21.5 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive compensation 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 answer will depend on your specific needs and goals. Generally speaking, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homes in Blackhawk. However, if lowering cost is your top priority, then you could polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When you're choosing a contractor, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels an installer offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
