Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Independent Hill homeowners. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a reputable solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Independent Hill. These reliable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
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 benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re evaluating if you want to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. Since 2012, Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors who install solar photovoltaic systems. Even if a contractor has an AES license, they may still need to subcontract HVAC, plumbing or electrical work.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact at least three solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the option that best fits your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees show that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar energy can help reduce your electric bills over time. When evaluating the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the solar technology being used. The typical Independent Hill solar array has a capacity of 8.0 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $3,590 per kilowatt; the average Independent Hill homeowners spends about $20,044 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for things like the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for labor, permit fees, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Deduction
Incentive Amount:
20% of the sales tax paid by an individual
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Independent Hill, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the savings and environmental benefits that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Independent Hill amount to $1,472.
Your recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel once per season. Your solar energy company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
The answer depends on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homes in Independent Hill. However, if lowering cost is your top priority, then you could thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
