Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
A solar panel array could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a reputable solar installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we compiled a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Independence. These installers have a reputation for dependable quality service.
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Solar contractors in Oregon must be licensed and bonded according to the terms of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. For photovoltaic installations, each standard journeyman on the job will have at least 8,000 hours of hands-on experience and be subject to continuing education requirements. Installers of solar thermal systems must be either a plumbing journeyman and a licensed solar heating installer.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with companies that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar panels can help lower your electricity costs long-term. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the solar technology being used. The typical Independence solar array has a capacity of 4.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,500 per kilowatt; the average Independence homeowners spends roughly $10,399 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include fees for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Amount:
Windows: $2 - $4/sq. ft
Duct Sealing: $250
Insulation: 25% of cost up to $500
Heat Pumps: $500 (Upgrades); $2,000 (New)
Heat Pump Commissioning and Controls: $300
Ductless Heat Pumps: $500 - $1,000
Marathon Water Heater: $749 - $1,359
Heat Pump Water Heater: $300 - $600
Low Flow Shower Heads: Free
Clothes Washers: $30
Clothes Dryer: $50
Smart Power Strips: Free
LED Light bulbs: discounts vary
Smart Thermostat: $100
Energy Star New Home: $1,200
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.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Oregon being very mild, you have a wide time window to install your panels, though they won't reach peak performance until summer arrives.
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, their rated capacity, and the average sunlight in your area. Independence gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 11.6 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 return the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy might not be ideal for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough to 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.
Yes. Solar panels are independent of the Independence grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.