Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Plano homeowners. 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. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Plano.
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
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 lower utility bills while benefiting the planet 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 imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using the most up-to-date installation methods. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission regulates distributed generation energy contractors, including solar contractors.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the best option that fits your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. A performance warranty ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy can help you lower electricity bills over time. Make sure you consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
In Plano, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.5 kilowatts. The typical Plano homeowner spends $17,056 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's size, required preliminary work, panel type, 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:
Appliances
Air Purifier: $50
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $50
Electric Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezer: $50
Refrigerator: $50
Room Air Conditioner: $25
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: Free pickup and $50, plus an additional $10 if recycling a room A/C at the same time
Heating & Cooling
Air Source Heat Pump: $400 - $600
Central A/C: $300 - $600
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $400
Geothermal Heat Pump: Up to $6,000/home
Furnace Blower Motor (ECM): $50 - $100
Miscellaneous
Advanced Power Strip: $10
Air Sealing: Up to $400/home
Attic Insulation: Up to $300/home
Duct Sealing: Up to $500/home
Lighting: In-store discounts, varies
Pool Pump: $275
Smart Thermostat: $100
Wall Insulation: Up to $400/home
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, 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 Plano, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Plano, meaning your payback period could last 18.2 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. A majority of solar contractors in the Plano area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
While solar energy might not be the best option for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough where you could 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.
Of course. Solar panels don't depend on the grid to work and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
