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 is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Santa Fe homeowners. Adopting solar energy can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and compiled a guide to the most dependable solar providers in Santa Fe. These top companies consistently deliver high-quality and reliable services.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
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:
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.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. All solar contractors 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.
Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar installers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact three to five solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the best value based on your budget.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
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.
The average Santa Fe homeowner will spend around $16,726 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Santa Fe cost roughly $3,330 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 7.2 kilowatts. A personalized estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work, and will account for your system's panel type, capacity, and size. Some homeowners prefer to lease their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar PV, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Texas being very mild, you have significant leeway to install your panels, though they won't hit peak performance until summer arrives.
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, meaning that you can reap the savings and environmental benefits that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Santa Fe, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 11.2 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
While solar energy is a great option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Absolutely. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in Santa Fe 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.
Solar panels are becoming more popular for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
