Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Covington residents use rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and lower their carbon footprint. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Covington.
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners reduce utility bills while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re evaluating if you want 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 current installation best practices. Tennessee requires any solar energy project valued at $25,000 or higher to be overseen by a licensed "prime contractor." The prime contractor is responsible for hiring licensed subcontractors as the project demands. Even if a project doesn't cross the $25,000 value threshold, you'll need an electrical journeyman or master electrician to handle permit work.
Check Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar providers. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Going solar can help lower your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the solar technology being used. The average solar system in Covington has a capacity of 7.7 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $3,580 per kilowatt; the average Covington homeowners spends about $19,373 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for factors such as the size, capacity, and panel type of the planned system, and should include fees for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Depends upon sector
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.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can raise your property values, reduce emissions, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Tennessee being very mild, you have a wide time window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Of course. The grid in Covington 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 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. Covington gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 19.1 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to be compensated for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. For insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should speak with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
