Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Year after year, more Alexandria homeowners adopt rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation companies in Alexandria.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
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:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrician or electrical contractor license from the Department of Labor and Industry, along with a residential building or remodeling contractors' license in some cases. If their work is regulated by the state's Mechanical Code, they must have a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Check consumer review platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with companies that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call 3–5 solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers installation defects, such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. A performance warranty ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy can help lower your energy expenses over time. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
The average Alexandria homeowner will spend around $19,912 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Alexandria cost approximately $4,030 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 7.1 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor, and will account for your system's panel type, capacity, and size. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Solar: 100% exemption from real property taxes
Wind: 100% exemption from real and personal property taxes
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of sales tax
Incentive Amount:
Dishwasher: $35
Clothes Washer: $35
Electric Clothes Dryer: $35
Refrigerator: $35
Freezer: $35
Dehumidifier: $20
Room/Window A/C: $35
High Efficiency Electric Water Heater: $35
Central A/C Tune-Up: $35
Central A/C: $200-$350
Mini Split/Ductless A/C: $250
ECM Replacement Motor: $100
Furnaces: $200-$375
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Air Source Heat Pump: $250
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
Incentive Amount:
Rebates vary from one participating utility to another. For specific details on the incentives offered by a particular utility check the program website. The rebate incentives listed below are an estimate using Adrian Public Utilities as an example, for your Utility please confirm online with your local utility.
ENERGY STAR:
Clothes Washer: $25
Dehumidifier: $25
LED Lighting: $1.50-$4.00
Refrigerator: $25
Room A/C: $25
Heating and Cooling:
Central A/C or Heat Pump Tune-Up: $30
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250 - $950
Mini Split/Ductless Air Source Heat Pump/Air Conditioner: $250 /Outdoor Condensing Unit
Central A/C: $250 - $450/unit
Geothermal Heat Pump: $200/ton
Heat Pump Water Heater: $150
Programmable thermostat: $25
Incentive Amount:
Clothes Washer: $50
Refrigerator: $25
Dehumidifier: $25
Room Air Conditioner: $25
Central A/C: $250 - $450
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $200 per ton
Natural Gas or Electric Furnace with Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) Rebate: $150
Programmable Thermostats controlling Central Air Conditioning: $25
Heat Pump Water Heaters: $100
Air Conditioner or Heat Pump Tune-up: $30
Screw-in LED bulb: $1.50
LED Fixture or Retrofit Kit: $4.00
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on where you live and what type of panels you're installing. Alexandria can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Yes. Alexandria uses an even mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will save you money and lower your home's individual emissions, you'll still benefit from access to the local grid.
While solar energy might not be the best performing choice for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough where you could achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
