Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more South Bend residents use rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and provide a dependable source of power. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar providers and put together a guide to the best solar companies in South Bend. These proven and dependable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Family-operated business
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners reduce utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re evaluating if you want to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Indiana does not issue electrical or solar contracting licenses at the state level, but local communities might adopt their own licensing programs.
Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to find out what previous customers say about local solar companies. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Be cautious of companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should explain all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the best option that fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance warranty ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Solar power can help lower your electricity costs in the long run. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The average South Bend homeowner will spend around $25,950 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in South Bend cost approximately $4,100 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 9.0 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor, and will account for your system's panel type, capacity, and size. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels in order to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Solar energy systems used for heating or cooling: out-of-pocket expenditures by the owner for the components and labor
Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system
Incentive Amount:
Wi-Fi/Smart Thermostat: $50-$100
Air Source Heat Pump: $100 - $200/ton
Ductless Heat Pump/Mini Split: $80 - $285/ton
Geothermal Heat Pump: $120-$240/ton
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $100-$250
ECM Furnace Fan Motor: $100
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: $200
Dehumidifier: $25
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 energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, 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. South Bend can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, the average sunlight in your area, and their rated capacity. South Bend gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.3 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The answer ultimately depends on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to notify your insurer about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
Solar panels are becoming more popular for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
