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 energy is becoming increasingly popular for Stroud homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you add value to your property, provide a dependable source of power, and decrease your carbon footprint. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a reputable solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar providers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Stroud. These reputable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
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:
Going solar can be a great way to lower electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when deciding if a solar installer is trustworthy.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. There are no state-level contracting licenses issued in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so each city or county can set its own requirements and terms.
Check TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar providers. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Be wary of providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Contact three to five solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for you.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Going solar can help reduce your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
The cost of home solar panels in Stroud varies depending on several factors, including your system's expected capacity and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system could range from $3,550 per kilowatt, not including labor, permit fees, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in Stroud are 6.8 kilowatts, and the typical Stroud homeowners spends $16,902 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Manufacturer loans: $40,000 per job created within 3 years
Manufacturer grants: $5,000 per job created within 3 years
Loans for geothermal systems: $3 per square foot of space served up to $5 million; also limited to 50% of eligible costs for residential systems.
Loans for wind energy production projects: $5 million
Grants for wind energy production projects: $1 million
Grants for feasibility studies: 50% of cost up to $175,000
Loan guarantee grants: Up to 75% of deficient funds up to $5 million
Incentive Amount:
Varies based on market conditions; during 2015 the market price for PA-sourced SRECs has ranged from approximately $32 - $55/MWh ($0.032 - $0.055/kWh) although individual trades have taken place at substantially lower and higher prices.
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Refrigerator: $75
Clothes Washer: $25- $50
Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezers: $25
Dehumidifiers: $25
Fridge/Freezer Recycling: $50
HVAC
HVAC tune up: $50
Furnace Fan Motor: $150
Ductless Minisplit AC : $200
Central AC: $100 - $200
Air Source Heat pump: $250 - $500
Geothermal Heat Pump: $600
Packaged Terminal AC: $75
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $150
Programmable Thermostat: $25
Others
Solar Water Heat: $500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Home Energy Audit: $250
Lighting: Available as in-store discount in participating stores
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest 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.
Absolutely. The grid in Stroud 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.
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 Stroud amount to $998.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on 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. Stroud gets a moderate amount of sunlight each day, so you could expect a maximum payback period of 16.9 years per 5 kW of power depending on other factors.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. Full-service solar contractors in the Stroud area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Yes. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in Stroud and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep 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.
Ultimately, the answer will depend on your specific situation. You can take advantage of a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to inform your insurance company about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
