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 qualified solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Garrison. These proven and dependable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
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:
Installing solar panels can cut your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best 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 utility connections and permits.
Check consumer review platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with providers that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should describe all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the best option that fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers 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 warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar panels can help lower your electricity costs over time. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.
Garrison homeowners typically spend about $13,849 on home solar systems after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Garrison cost approximately $3,540 per kilowatt, with an average size of 5.6 kilowatts. A personalized estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for permit fees, preliminary work, and labor, and will account for your system's size, capacity, and panel type. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels in order 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:
50% of eligible costs
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies
Incentive Amount:
Commercial: 10% - 80% of county real property taxes assessed for 3 - 5 years
Homes (LEED or NGBS): 40% - 100% of county real property taxes assessed for 3 - 5 years
Homes (Energy Improvements): varies, equal to the % of energy efficiency improvement over a baseline of existing home or the energy code for new homes
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.
Incentive Amount:
Appliances & Recycling
Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time
Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25
Smart Thermostat: $100
Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Gas Furnace: $250
Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Lighting
Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website
Incentive Amount:
Appliances & Recycling
Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time
Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25
Smart Thermostat: $100
Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Gas Furnace: $250
Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Lighting
Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Garrison, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, meaning that you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on their rated capacity, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and the average sunlight in your area. Garrison gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.6 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The most common types of home solar panels in Garrison include thin-film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.
Solar energy is on par with other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can work in a variety of conditions.
