Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Rutland homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you decrease your carbon footprint, provide a dependable source of power, and add value to your property. Adopting solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why, after properly vetting providers, we put together a guide to the most dependable solar companies in Rutland. These providers have a reputation for excellent service.
Family-operated business
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. Vermont has a Solar System Specialist license for solar water heater installers. These license holders can set up and repair preheating or auxiliary solar devices up to specific advanced limits. For solar PV installations, contractor licensing requirements only apply to public buildings.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Installing solar panels can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Solar panel costs vary based on system capacity and the solar technology used. The typical Rutland solar array has a capacity of 5.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $3,850 per kilowatt; the average Rutland homeowners spends about $14,913 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for factors such as the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include fees for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of sales tax for purchase
Incentive Amount:
Central Wood Pellet Furnaces & Boilers: Up to $6,000
Emerging Tech Window ACs (only for window ACs that meet ENERGY STAR's 2019 Emerging Tech Award Criteria): $200
Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System: Up to $500 off at time of purchase
Clothes Dryers: $200 or $400
Dehumidifiers: Up to $40
Heat Pump Water Heaters: Up to $600
Swimming pool pumps: $250 or $500
Lighting: Reduced prices at participating retailers
Horticultural Lighting Fixtures for Indoor Growing: $100
Smart Thermostats: Up to $100
Home Performance with Energy Star: Up to $2,000
Incentive Amount:
Hot Air Furnaces: $400
Combination Furnace: $800
Hot Water Boilers: $600-$800
Combination Boilers: $900-$1,100
Direct Vent Space Heater: $200
Water Heaters: $200
Tankless Water Heaters: $300-$500
Indirect Water Heater: $100
Drain Water Heat Recovery: $300
Solar Hot Water: $950
Solar Furnace: $200
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly 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 Rutland, the average amount someone can save is $1,350 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
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. Rutland gets a moderate amount of sunlight each day, so you could expect a maximum payback period of 11.0 years per 5 kW of power depending on other factors.
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.
The most common types of home solar panels in Rutland include monocrystalline, thin-film and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while polycrystalline and thin-film panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Ask your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.
