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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Traverse City. A solar panel array can help you add value to your property, decrease your carbon footprint, and provide a dependable source of power. Transitioning to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease 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 created a guide to the best solar companies in Traverse City. These trusted providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
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Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
User Rating
Reliable customer support
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce 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.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly 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 Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar installers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Get free, detailed quotes from at least three solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar power can help lower your electricity costs long-term. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
The cost of home solar panels in Traverse City varies depending on several factors, including the size of the system and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a typical solar energy system will cost $4,060 per kilowatt, not including preliminary work, labor, or permit fees. Most solar systems in Traverse City are 6.2 kilowatts, and the typical Traverse City homeowners spends $17,688 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
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 system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can raise your property values, save money, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Traverse City 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 significantly decrease 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 Traverse City, the average amount someone can save is $1,205 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Traverse City with moderate sunlight, the period could last 14.7 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
Your recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel every three months. Your solar installation company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.
The most common types of home solar panels in Traverse City include monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. 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 which solar panels they work with.
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