Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A new solar energy system could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a reputable solar installer. That’s why we’ve reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the most dependable solar providers in Elkton. These top companies consistently deliver high-quality and dependable services.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Family-operated business
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Family-operated business
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
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:
Going solar can be a great way to reduce electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is reliable.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. The installation crew for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Maryland must include a Home Improvement Commission-licensed contractor and a master electrician with at least seven years' experience. The contractor installs the panels, while the master electrician handles permit business and connects the system to the grid. If you're installing a solar water heater, your contracting team must include a master plumber for permits and utility connections.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about 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.
Contact 3–5 solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar energy can help reduce your electricity costs in the long run. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.
In Elkton, solar panels cost an average of $3,540 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 5.6 kilowatts. The typical Elkton homeowner spends $13,786 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information based on your desired system's panel type, required preliminary work, capacity, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption from sales and use tax
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.
Incentive Amount:
Lighting
LED Fixtures: $8 per fixture
LED Lighting: Up to $3 per bulb
Appliances
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Clothes Dryer: $50
Hybrid Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Smart Thermostat: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
HVAC
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 (Tier 1) - $650 (Tier 2)
Central A/C: $300 (Tier 1) - $500 (Tier 2)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
ECM Furnace Motor: $50 - $100
Home Energy Check up: Free
Recycling
A/C or Dehumidifier: $25
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, meaning that you can reap the savings and environmental benefits of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
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 Elkton amount to $928.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Elkton, meaning your payback period could last 14.9 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. Many solar contractors in the Elkton area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
The most common types of home solar panels in Elkton include polycrystalline, monocrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Ask your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption 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.
