Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Santa Clara homeowners. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a qualified solar installer. That’s why we’ve reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the most trustworthy solar providers in Santa Clara. These top companies consistently deliver high-quality and dependable services.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
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:
Going solar can be a great way to save money on 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 reliable.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using the most up-to-date installation methods. If a solar energy system in Utah won't hook up to a utility, there are no licensure requirements. For other jobs, solar contractors must hold license S202, a specialty classification from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with providers that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call 3–5 solar companies for free, itemized quotes. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar can help you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
The average Santa Clara homeowner will spend around $11,097 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Santa Clara cost approximately $3,290 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 4.8 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 capacity, size, and panel type. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels in order 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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can save money, qualify for tax benefits, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in Utah being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Absolutely. The grid in Santa Clara 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 recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel once a quarter. Your solar energy company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to your provider. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
