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 Salem residents install rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and add value to their property. Making the transition to solar energy can allow you to save money and lower your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we put together a guide to the most dependable solar companies in Salem. These companies offer excellent service.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Family-operated business
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Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
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 cut 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.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission issues licenses to distributed generation energy contractors, including residential solar contractors.
Check Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Stay away from companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, ask for 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 strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Switching to solar power can help lower your energy expenses over time. Be sure to weigh these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The typical Salem solar array has a capacity of 6.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $3,760 per kilowatt; the average Salem homeowners spends roughly $16,205 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the size, panel type, and capacity of the planned system, and should include fees for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Salem, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Salem amount to $994.
The best type of residential solar panel depends on your specific needs and goals. Generally speaking, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in Salem. However, if you're looking at a more frugal option, then you could thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When you're gathering estimates, make sure to ask about the different types of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Solar panels are gaining traction for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
