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 is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Hampton homes. Adopting solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar providers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Hampton. These proven and dependable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
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 helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Since 2012, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors who install solar PV systems. A contractor with an AES license may need to subcontract electrical, HVAC or plumbing work.
Check Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's reliability and customer service. Avoid companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
Contact 3–5 solar companies to get free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the option that best fits your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers installation issues, such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
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 cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the technology being used. The typical Hampton solar array has a capacity of 7.3 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,590 per kilowatt; the average Hampton homeowners spends about $18,345 on a new solar system 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 prices for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Deduction
Incentive Amount:
20% of the sales tax paid by an individual
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, reduce emissions, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in Virginia being very mild, you have a lengthy window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
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 Hampton, the average amount someone can save is $1,448 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
The specific required maintenance steps will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel every three months. Your solar installation company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility 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.
Absolutely. Solar panels don't depend on the grid to work and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep 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.
