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 is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Athens residents. Transitioning to solar energy can lower 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 done the research and assembled a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation companies in Athens.
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
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 cut utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re deciding whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. Ohio may require a solar company to hold a state contractors' license, but only for commercial work. For residential work, cities can establish their own licensing or regulatory requirements.
Check consumer review platforms like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot 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 providers that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers installation defects, such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy can help you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
Athens homeowners typically spend about $17,906 on home solar systems after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Athens cost roughly $3,410 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 7.5 kilowatts. An estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees, and will account for your system's capacity, panel type, and size. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Low-interest, 30-year loan
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, raise your property values, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
Absolutely. The grid in Athens already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
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 Athens, the average amount someone can save is $1,767 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 earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, the average sunlight in your area, and their rated capacity. Athens gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 10.1 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can sell the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Solar energy is on par with other forms of renewable energy. They have low maintenance costs and today's systems can work in a variety of conditions.
