10 Best Solar Companies in Fairland, MD

How To Choose a Solar Company

Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.

Check Licensing

Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. The installation team 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 permits 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.

Read Customer Reviews

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 barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.

Compare Multiple Quotes

To find a solar installer that works with your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Going solar can help decrease your energy expenses. Be sure to weigh these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.

• Look into utility rebates: More rebates might be available from electric companies looking to motivate homeowners to go solar. Contact your local utility provider to learn rebate values and qualification criteria, so you can calculate your possible savings.
• Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for upfront or financed through a loan or lease. Review important financing details such as payment schedule, fees, annual percentage rate (APR), and ownership implications when financing your solar system.
• Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit on total solar system costs is available through 2032. Many states offer incentives, too. The credits can result in substantial savings for solar buyers.

Cost of Solar Installation in Fairland

Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Fairland has a capacity of 5.6 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,540 per kilowatt; the average Fairland homeowners spends about $13,851 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the capacity, size, and panel type of the planned system, and should include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.