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 Pendleton homeowners adopt rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and provide a dependable source of power. Switching to solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Pendleton.
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
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:
Installing solar panels can lower your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. Solar installers in Oregon must be licensed and bonded by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. For PV installations, each standard journeyman on the job will have at least 8,000 hours of hands-on experience and must keep up with continuing education requirements. Installers of solar thermal systems must be either a plumbing journeyman and a licensed solar heating installer.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar company that works with your budget, ask for 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.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty 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 show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy can help decrease your electricity costs long-term. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology being used. The average solar system in Pendleton has a capacity of 4.1 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,500 per kilowatt; the average Pendleton homeowners spends about $9,982 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for things like the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include fees for permit fees, preliminary work, and labor.
Incentive Amount:
Heat Pumps/Manufactured Homes/HVAC: Varies, contact utility for more information
Windows: $2 - $4/square foot
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer: $20 - $50
ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryer: $50 - $175
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator/Freezer: $10.00
Electric Water Heater: $100
ENERGY STAR Dishwasher: $10.00
Electric Range Rebate: $50
Electric Cooktop: $25
Electric Oven: $25
Thermostatically Controller Outlet: $10
Smart Thermostat: $100
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 heater.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Pendleton amount to $899.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on 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. Pendleton gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 11.1 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
The answer will depend on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homes in Pendleton. However, if you're looking at a more frugal option, then you could polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When you're gathering estimates, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
