Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A rooftop solar array could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Switching to solar energy can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar providers and put together a guide to the best solar companies in Salem. These proven and dependable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
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:
Going solar can be a great way to lower electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is reliable.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. If a solar energy system in Utah doesn't use distributed generation technology, the state exempts its installation from licensing requirements. For other jobs, solar contractors must hold license S202, a specialty certification from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should outline all costs and identify the solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The output warranty ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Solar power can help decrease your electricity costs in the long run. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.
In Salem, solar panels cost an average of $3,290 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 5.2 kilowatts. The typical Salem homeowner spends $11,996 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information based on your desired system's capacity, panel type, required preliminary work, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Commercial wind, geothermal electric, and biomass systems 660 kW or greater, and solar PV systems 2 MW or greater: 0.35¢/kWh ($0.0035/kWh) for 4 years
Other commercial technologies and commercial wind, geothermal electric, solar PV, and biomass systems smaller than 600 kW: 10% of installed cost
Photovoltaic systems between 660 kW and 2 MW: May choose either 0.35¢/kWh ($0.0035/kWh) for 4 years or 10% of installed cost
Incentive Amount:
Residential: 25%
Commercial wind, geothermal electric, and biomass systems 660 kW or greater 0.35¢/kWh ($0.0035/kWh) for 4 years
Other commercial technologies and commercial wind, geothermal electric, and biomass systems smaller than 660 kW: 10% of installed cost
Solar photovoltaic systems 2 MW or greater: 0.35¢/kWh ($0.0035/kWh) for 4 years
Solar photovoltaic systems smaller than 660 kW: 10% of installed costSolar photovoltaic systems between 660 kW and 2 MW: May choose either 0.35¢/kWh ($0.0035/kWh) for 4 years or 10% of installed cost
Incentive Amount:
Ductless Heat Pumps: Up to $1,700
Electronically Commutated Motors: Up to $100
Evaporative Coolers: Up to $200
Heat Pumps: up to $750
Ground Source Heat Pumps: up to $2,500
Rooftop Heat Tape Timer: up to $100
Room Air Conditioners: Up to $20
Smart Thermostats: $50
Whole House Ventilation Fans: up to $125
Manufactured Homes Duct Sealing: Free service available
Manufactured Homes Ductless Heat Pumps: Up to $1,300
Lighting: Special pricing at certain retailers
Heat Pump Water Heaters: up to $550
Insulation: Up to $0.10/sq.ft
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, qualify for tax benefits, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Salem, the average amount someone can save is $985 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from 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. Salem has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 12.2 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can sell the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
While solar energy is an ideal 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.
