Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Cambridge homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you provide a dependable source of power, add value to your property, and decrease your carbon footprint. Transitioning to solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar installers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Cambridge. These reputable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
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 reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. Massachusetts requires new solar PV systems in the Commonwealth to be installed by a licensed electrician and new solar water heaters to be installed by a construction supervisor.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact at least three solar companies to get free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the best value based on your budget.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The output warranty guarantees an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Going solar can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the solar technology used. The typical Cambridge solar array has a capacity of 4.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $4,060 per kilowatt; the average Cambridge homeowners spends about $12,674 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for factors such as the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include fees for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
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 Type: Personal Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
15%
Incentive Type: Industry Recruitment/Support
Incentive Amount:
100% deduction
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling: $125
Electric Clothes Dryers: $50
Clothes Washer: $350
Dehumidifiers: $30
Room Air Purifiers: $40
Room Air Conditioner: $40
Heating & Cooling
Oil Heating System: Up to $800
Propane Heating Equipment: Up to $2,300
Oil Water Heater: Up to $400
Propane Water Heater: Up to $800
Heat Pump Water Heater: Up to $600
Central AC/Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton
Mini-Split Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton
Programmable Thermostats: Up to $25
WiFi Thermostat: Up to $100
Solar Domestic Hot Water heater: $500 - $1,500
Home Electronics
Advanced Power Strips: Varies
Home Insulation
Limited Time Enhanced Incentive: 75%
Year-Round Tenant Incentive: 100%
Enhanced Residential Program: 100%
Lighting
LEDs: Varies
Home Energy Assessment: Free
Incentive Amount:
Standard Residential:
Pellet Stove: $1,000 - $1,750
Catalytic Woodstove: $750 - $1,250
Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $500-$1,250
Fully Automated Wood Stove: $1,500 - $1,750
Low-Income Residential:
Pellet Stove: $2,500 - $3,250
Catalytic Woodstove: $2,250 - $2,750
Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $2,000-$2,750
Fully Automated Wood Stove: $2,750 - $3,250
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Financing amount locally determined; 20-year financing term
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the savings and environmental benefits that come from using 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 Cambridge amount to $1,101.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Cambridge, meaning your payback period could last 11.5 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Full-service solar contractors in the Cambridge area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
Absolutely. Solar panels don't depend on the grid to work and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
