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 San Benito homeowners. A solar panel array can help you add value to your property, provide a dependable source of power, and decrease your carbon footprint. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on installers, we assembled a guide to the most reputable solar companies in San Benito. These providers have a reputation for excellent service.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
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 reduce utility bills while benefiting the planet 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.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. All solar installers in Texas must have a state electrical contractors' license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners regulates plumbing regulations and licensing standards for solar thermal installers.
Check consumer review platforms like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with providers that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the option that aligns with your budget.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers any installation defects (such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Switching to solar power can help lower your energy expenses. Be sure to weigh these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the solar technology used. The average solar system in San Benito has a capacity of 7.1 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,330 per kilowatt; the average San Benito homeowners spends roughly $16,449 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for factors such as the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include costs for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
Incentive Amount:
Free Equipment Program: Free appliance installation and weatherization services
Home Improvement (includes attic insulation, duct sealing, duct insulation, duct replacement, high-efficiency gas furnace, and Wi-Fi thermostat: Up to $1000
Solar Water Heater With Natural Gas Backup: $750
Tankless or Super High-efficiency Water Heater: $650
Furnace: $675
Furnace Tune-Up: $40
Natural Gas Dryer with moisture sensor: $225
Natural Gas Dryer Stub: $300
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array 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 gain additional energy independence.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the savings and environmental benefits of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
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 San Benito amount to $1,319.
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. San Benito has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 12.5 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.
While solar energy might not be the best option 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.
Absolutely. Solar panels are independent of the San Benito grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. 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.
Solar energy is on par with other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can stand up to the worst conditions.
