Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Fairmont residents install rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and lower their carbon footprint. Adopting solar energy can allow you to save money and lower your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar providers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Fairmont. These proven and dependable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Family-operated business
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrical contractor or electrician 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.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers say about local solar companies. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar power can help reduce your electricity costs long-term. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
In Fairmont, solar panels cost an average of $4,030 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 7.1 kilowatts. The typical Fairmont homeowner spends $19,975 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will take into account additional information based on your desired system's required preliminary work, panel type, capacity, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease 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:
LED Light Bulbs: 50% of cost
Light Fixtures: 50% of cost
Refrigerators/Freezers: $25 plus an additional $50 to pay for recycling
Dishwashers: $25-$40
Clothes Washers: $50-$100
Dehumidifiers: $15 (no recycling) or $25-$40 (recycling)
Efficient Furnace Fan Motors: $50-$125
Room A/C: $25 plus an additional $25 for recycling
Central A/C and Air Source Heat Pumps: $100-$200
Central A/C and Air Source Heat Pump Tune-Up: $35
Ground Source Heat Pumps: $200/ton plus $25/ton for each 1 EER above minimum qualifying efficiency
Water Heaters: $200
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Fairmont can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, meaning that you can reap the savings and environmental benefits 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 average sunlight in your area, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Fairmont gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.3 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
