Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Northview. A solar panel array can help you decrease your carbon footprint, provide a dependable source of power, and add value to your property. Making the transition to solar energy can allow you to save money and shrink your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and compiled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation companies in Northview.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
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 cut your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When evaluating if a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. Michigan law has a de facto licensing requirement for solar photovoltaic installers. In other words, there's no explicit requirement for solar installers to have a license, but workers dealing with electrical wiring jobs do need a license. Solar thermal systems must be installed by a licensed mechanical contractor.
Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Be wary of companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
Contact three to five solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for you.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help lower your electricity costs over time. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology being used. The typical Northview solar array has a capacity of 6.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $4,060 per kilowatt; the average Northview homeowners spends about $17,551 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include prices for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Washing Machine: $25 - $50
WiFi Enabled Thermostat: $50 - $100
Room Air Conditioner: $20
Dehumidifier: $20
Pool Pump: $350
Refrigetor/Freezer Recyclilng: $50
Room Air Conditioner/Dehumidifier Recycling: $15
Heating & Cooling
Split System Central AC: $50 - $500
Air Source Heat Pump: $150 - $250
Ground Source Heat Pump: $200 - $300
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $350
ECM Motor: $50
Thermostat: $10 - $100
Central AC Tune-Up: $50
Windows & Insulation
Roof Insulation: $50 - $200
Wall Insulation: $50 - $125
Crawlspace Insulation: $10 - $50
Rim Joist Insulation: $20 - $50
Window Replacement: $15/window
Patio Door Replacement: $40/door
Lighting
Varies
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest 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 gain additional energy independence.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Northview can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Northview, the average amount someone can save is $1,412 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on 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. Northview gets a moderate amount of sunlight each day, so you could expect a maximum payback period of 12.4 years per 5 kW of power depending on other factors.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Although solar energy is a valuable option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to provide you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system is able to keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
